A colleague asked a question about the Amazon Best Seller List and if it truly brought any credibility or higher opinion.
Great question. Most of the answers were indifferent or critical due to the campaigns to “manipulate of the algorithm” or “buying your way to the top of the list” to increase sales vs. innate credibility.
I get it. I used to poo-poo this. Until I wrote a book. You bet I am going to ask all my friends and family and fans and followers to buy my book. I’m gonna ask them to buy 3; the kindle version, a paperback, and one for a friend!
Yes. I’m going to make the kindle version super easy to buy early on. Yep. I’m working the algorithm. Why- for visibility. I spent three years crafting this work of words and art. And the more visible my work is because people I know buy the book (of whom some will both never read, and some will read and genuinely love). If I want my work to reach beyond my sphere and – I have to MAKE that opportunity for myself.
Oprah ain’t coming to pluck my book out of obscurity.
It’s me. And it’s my work, and I’m gonna bet on myself to get this baby out. And then yes. Maybe it will start getting traction by referral. Maybe magic will strike because of the quality and impact of my work.
But if I don’t hustle it up front, it has no chance.
I used to be one of the people outside of the ring who shit on the “game”…. But that’s because I was too chicken to put my own work in the ring.
And ps. I buy every single book people in my sphere write. Because, fuck yeah, they wrote a book, they put their heart and mind and effort into bound pages for the public review- and that is brave! And buying the $.99 kindle and a paperback is a great way for me to celebrate that courage.
And ps… Do you want visibility and credibility in your business? Do you want more “success?” Do you want your skills to be validated in the marketplace? Do you dream of your work – your services to move through communities and to catch fire?
No one is coming to discover you. You and the kindling to that fire. Lightning won’t strike. Be your own biggest fan.
And don’t be like me years ago. Don’t be an ass to criticize those actually out there sharing their hearts and showing their work from behind the safety of your hiding behind a screen with no work to share.
And for those who are living in the risk of putting your work out into the world, I give you all the claps 
.
.Notice how the loudest and meanest critics or complainers are Not taking any of the risks you do. Bless them or hex them and move on.
