Trials and yet, no Tribulations … It is All about Persistence, Diligence, Drive and Passion; (9/10/18)

I have recently gone International to likewise branch out to other English speaking Individuals outside the US with the help of Book Go Social.  And right from the get go, I noticed the disparity in the numbers, by a Wide margin to say the least, between the number of Amazon clicks going to my Book site, inside the US vs. outside the US; specifically 2172 clicks in the US, and Everywhere else, zero clicks :), huh!? … At first…  But that did not really surprise me much thereafter, since it all made Complete sense when I began to think about  matters …

I had to ask Book Go Social about the Accuracy of those numbers,  replying to the stats … “Looks like America is the only hurting nation out there :)”…  But sounds like the stats are Accurate. They replied:

“Yes, it’s very unusual to not get clicks anywhere other than the US, I’m not quite sure why that is.  We would find that the majority of clicks will be US based anyway as that’s our following, but maybe not 100%….It could be worth changing the wording of your tweet?”

I Know the tweet text is Solid & Truthful with no need to change.  However, unless People were to actually go to the Book site to read some, they would never know, and likely would Assume negatively.  Yes, I do have a Complete Understanding about Why??…  And again, I have already gone through all those growing pains for the last 4 years plus in the US…

Below, are the Key Reasons Why the Reluctance; i.e. reasons why there is no show of Interest in the Book up front, nor going to the next Step and Getting It :

• Start off with a NA here: As humans, we all pee, bleed, and basically Think, Operate and Are the same.  As far as the Book’s subject is concerned, We’re all in the same Boat essentially.
• One thing for sure is that in the promotional locations/Countries, other than the US and the UK, there are language barriers. I.E.: in Canada (to a lesser degree), France, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, Brazil, and Mexico. And unfortuantely, the Book is in English (only) for now :)…  Only contact I’ve had with people outside the US who I shared my info with, is locally at the  Beach who I may bump into every now and then, and also when I went on vacation to Sequoia & Yosemite Nat’l Parks the last (2) years.  I saw no difference individually in interest though, for those that knew English, compared to the American public;  so few in numbers though.
• Popularity numbers are off the charts… ooopppss I mean not even on the charts :), coupling this with that word Assume is likely the Key factor for no Interest. I just started up on social media with Book Go Social, 2 months ago,  tweeting, and blogging for the first time at age 62 :)… Facts are, People are Interestingly enamored/blinded by the Popularity Contest games, when they see a Book for the first time by an unknown author. Nothing else really seems to matter,  in the early stages … then it takes a lengthy grind (as I’ve seen in past in the US (home)) to start gaining Interest. … And, Yes I know Life is often a Popularity Contest these days, but this Book is not about that and shouldn’t be… hence no fancy advertisement campaigns, no paid reviews (often done I heard), no tracking down Ellen DeGeneres, and Oprah Winfrey (…who may know very little of subject matter, and won’t make the Book any better than what it is…) to say something Good about Book , and no intended movie :) … (ref: Blog post below dated: 7/21/18, or go to “Home page”, select “Click to go to Blog posts”, then scroll down ).

— So People likely Assume a number of negative/unreal thoughts about the Book nullifying Interest…  But, Assuming this Book has nothing worthwhile to look into, is a Huge Mistake my Friends, for So Many People out there, No Doubts!!

— And Yes, I do understand how long things take, for a Populace to catch on to even consider to check into the Book …  In the US, it took about 3 years +  for that to happen; with tons of Diligence and Persistence needless to say…

—-  In 2017, had 331,199 visits to the Bookdaily Book site alone, per a Bookdaily email promotional service I was part of … In 2018 likewise had some Solid numbers till Bookdaily said bye to all members in May/18… so, here I am now.

—-  As far as Efforts in getting there:  have been involved with that  Bookdaily promotional e-mail distribution service for 3 years, generating numerous 600 character Introductory words, to go along with the Book promotions month to month … handing out over 20,700 of those Book cards Individually for most part so far, and talking to most …  contacted over 500 school districts across America intended for Juniors or Seniors, or to those known to be hurting,  in attempts to Help squelch early A&D issues, and possible Addictions going on … handing out Book cards at several local colleges … and providing Book Information to Addiction & PTSD Treatment/Recovery Centers (e.g. Wounded Warriors)…  At first I remember all the ripped up cards, and flyers, but as the years went on by, much less to hardly any now, since People realize this Book definitely is hardly a nothing or a joke… Good God, Finally :)!

• Besides those False Assumptions mentioned, there exists All those “Resistances to Change”, or excuses, ….or  being in Denial, which are the Biggest Human deterrents negating Interest in the Book,or Getting It  and Doing It! …. (Refer to Blog posts below dated: 8/14/18, & 8/23/18 or go to “Home page”, select “Click to go to Blog posts”, then scroll down.)
• Can’t forget as addressed in earlier Blog posts, human nature is such that people often continue to do the same thing, regardless of how bad they may be feeling, and expect different results… And I was Certainly guilty of that for too many years.
• Other Human Factors (generally speaking of course…):… well, modern day Generations are likely lazier than previous  &  some of the Older Generation folks are following suit as well… reasons… well,  today’s technology often guilty and geared to making  Life “Too Easy” (e.g. seems like seeing more and more of those motorized Bikes on the Beach these days, and now, lots of them … I remember a family riding by… or … humming by me with those bikes with the teen girl saying I could do this all day… that’d be not so great actually)… Have you ever seen that movie “Wall-E” the 2008 animated flick :)?! Sad seeing some of that kinda coming true…  This besides, how we as Parents (…I’d be guilty as well!), in more modern times (…I have a Millennial Son)…  have raised our Sons/Daughters in a bubble in effect, maybe over-protecting them at times, and then often giving them way too much stuff (…or spoiling them), with little if any reality checks provided along the way in their development!  They’re often not prepared for the future…

— Hence, People often look for the Easy Way (out) vs. considering the Best/Proper way, or looking for those quick fixes…   This goes against the grain of what it Truly Takes as addressed in the Book (i.e. some Hard Work), to do it Right For Life!  Otherwise, some People just limp problem to problem in Life, if they are able to hold it together, while providing lots of $s to the mental health & pharmaceutical Industries… So Why Do That Hard Work ??? Well, To Do That =s…Nothing Can Be Better (!!!!) than to Feel that Peace of Mind in Life, which it amounts to, when We Read It and Work It!

— Reading a Book other than in school ?? Good Grief… (Generally speaking Only of course)  Education outside school these days seems to be via a cell phone  … won’t get into overuse of the cell phone and texting ways here, which is a Real Problem for a number of reasons which I bring up some in section 4 of Book.

— So People are still searching for those magic pills, or substances (i.e marijuana?!, CBD?!…) or quick fixes, to relieve their stresses (short of Addictions sometimes)?  But, there Is and will Never Be a magic pill or substance to take care of Ourselves Permanently; only temporary relief, at best, is possible with pills/substances… and ya better be aware when ya do that for stress… it will always catch up with ya as you lose dependence on yourself to deal with your stress levels the Natural Way, which is the Only & Proper Way! … in my not so glorious times spent in those Psych wards, I met several who lost hope in themselves long ago, and then lost hope in the medication ride they were on for too long, as they were proceeding towards their last option (with their false, negative thinking going on (!)): i.e. Electro-Shock Therapy, or the  modern acronym for that, ECT, which is like half the step to a lobotomy I call it… I did tell some, Getting Upset and all, … Don’t Do that to yourselves!!, but unfortunately I had no answers myself at the time :(… So Sad!!

• Finally, I do understand, regarding section 4 and what it stands for … Spirituality/Mindfulness, Simplifying Life and …allowing Our Faith to Grow… this could Sadly be considered a negative in today’s Society, when realizing the direction our Society is taking us… (I do discuss this in section 4)

Yes! My Passion & Drive just continues to Grow since starting writing back approx.6 1/2 years ago to initially Save My Son (!).  This is not about what Everyone wants to hear… but it is All in Truth and All So Real, and likely could be for Lots of People, the Most Important Education in a Lifetime; Seriously!

So For All English speaking people living outside the US … Why wait 3 years (?) more, before you finally realize, this Book is still out there and gaining popularity… that there is definite Truth in the growing numbers of People suffering with Issues (Anxiety/Depression, PTSD, Addictions, OCD) and what I address, and maybe even hitting close to home or even within the home…

Take a look at the 1st (2) Blog posts below, dated: 7/16/18, & 7/21/18 (or go to “Home page”, select “Click to go to Blog posts”, then scroll down)  and continue further and read the next (2) Blog posts dated: 8/14/18, & 8/23/18 addressing those “Resistances to Change”.

Continue to Read on my Friends! This is Beyond more than worth your time for Your sake, or maybe your Sons/Daughters, your Spouse, a Friend maybe (this is Link to US Amazon.com site)…read some Success stories I’ve personally witnessed in “From the Author” section … read the Customers reviews, along with my included review Comment which I would ordinarily never do but… (See Amazon.com Book Description, NOTES A) at bottom which identifies how to view them).

—- How the 1 star review was written intrigued me …  Followed that up with Reviewer profile check (…Author (fantasy) with a undeserved (likely) 1 star review (?), a Book Blogger (?!), “addicted to caffeine and a chocoholic” (ohh), & a degree in Counseling/Psychology (?), which collectively made things rather clear actually… and per the existing Book paragraph written on the matter, and elaborating  some , Yep, had to Thoughtfully Comment on, to clear the air…  I Informed Amazon… I equate the review to if someone went to “Look Inside” any book on Amazon, and after scanning over or maybe reading a couple/few pages, writes a full Book review on (?). Told them I have Zero problems keeping that in, but asked if they could possibly consider making review comments more readily observed vs. having to know the need and how to search for them!; that would be Great, and certainly not only for me… I Did write the Reviewer a email, and was, of course, Assertive (ref: Book section 6.5 … gots to take care of Ourselves #1), but then did address “wish you the Very Best in dealing with your Serious eye condition, and in your future, …God Bless!”, and did say if ya could just get past the Capitalization hang-up… providing a few areas within Book to read , as well as addressing… don’t forget about Book section 4 in dealing with eye condition matters, or other (when things get outside our control), in Life…

—- Regarding other reviews: Had a Professional service contact me several times to share majority of costs … sounding pretty legit…very persistent about matters since publishing of my 3rd Edition  (4/7/16)… did a “Panel review” (# of people?) who gave the Book a “Very High” 8.92 out of 10…  Just had a different service contact me 9/3 who did a review as well, giving the Book, a 8.6 out of 10 … They stated: ‘‘This is what sets the author apart from all other writers. Author’s unique way of stringing words together , formulating ideas, and relating scenes or images to the reader. In any piece of writing, the voice should be consistent and identifiable which the author has done a very good job.”… What’s Real Cool though, is that both of those reviews are based on Reading the Book Only!  Please Understand,  the True Power in this Book is Only Felt/Understood when One Works It! That would push those numbers way up to Another Level, No Doubts... And Potentially to the point of Saving Lives which it can and Has!!…. I Thought and responded, How Cool !!, but was not surprised… Also, there is a “Net Galley” reviewer via Book Go Social promotions, (1) so far,  gave the Book a  5 (out of 5) … it is just on a Excel spreadsheet with just a few words only?…. found it motivational… But Now, Why I Did/Do This: Walking along about a week or two ago a gentleman came up to me saying, Hi Ron, how ya doing shaking my hand… I thought, yeah I think I remember  ya but after going through like 20,500 ish cards by then, can’t remember everyone :) … he reminded me, his name is Tony, who has been in rehab for drugs, & alcohol… said that he got my Book, and loved it… thought it was Great… and then gave it to a gal friend in rehab he wanted to help… told him this is a Book ya want to hold onto for the Rest of Your Life, for go backs and as a refresher along the way… he said, he is definitely Working the  included Tools/Skills! … sounded like he was definitely going to do a review, but not holding my breath here :)… I know how this goes… I hardly ever do ask for reviews, except in a mega emailer I sent out at approx time of publication(s) saying at the end.. if ya feel like it, a review would be Very Much Appreciated.

Enough said… Remember though, and as I say on the Front Cover of the Book: “It Takes One to Really Know One and to Really Help One To RISE AND SHINE!” (& ditto Who I learned from!).

PS/FYI: Since Amazon “Look Inside” may or may not bring up a few paragraphs that I had in mind while writing this post, I copied/pasted those (3) paragraphs below me name.

Take Care All, and consider to Read On…, and :) Of Course!,

Ron

Ref: (3) more or less related  paragraphs in Introduction 1. pages 22-23, and 28, 29 (Paperback):

“It certainly has been a Very Interesting ride as a first time, unknown, one Book only Author (i.e. being my bucket list item Book), writing about such a topic (A&D Self-Help).  I did understand what this might mean regarding the Book’s success.  Nonetheless, I was Gung Ho on the prospect of How Many People I could really Help out with this Book which has always been my #1 Incentive, Knowing the Content’s Integrity, and how well this could do, considering how many people do struggle with Anxiety and Depression, and how much interest I have seen per my personal advertising endeavors.  But for People to actually go to the length of purchasing this Book from an unknown with all so many Books out there on Anxiety and Depression, not to mention, all the popularity surrounding  many of them via advertising campaigns etc., is an iffy/I’m not sure… type  inner reaction for most.  The initial royalty check ($13.30), and similar results thereafter made that clear :).  The last time I looked while doing the 3rd edition updates,  my Amazon (typo, missing “ranking”) was like a gazillion :).  But, I Know if I had a reputation and all, etc., then I know this Book Would Do Very Well, if not Extremely Well.  Nonetheless, no matter how well this does over time, I Know This Self-Help Book is Special, Effective, Powerful, Timeless, and I Am Certain there is not Anyone who couldn’t get something out of this unless they have been fully educated on these matters and have lived through it all themselves.  And yeah, this is the Real Deal and is as Real as it Gets, and my gut tells me, in a True Self-Help Book form, addressing how to deal with Anxiety and Depression and then Aspire and Beyond (i.e. to Rise and Shine), I really don’t think there is anything better…”

………..

“I’ve been thinking and wishing that I had Pixie dust of some kind that I could deliver with this promotional information (section 1.2),  providing people the true sense of how I felt during the 25+ years suffering with Extreme levels of Anxiety and Depression, feeling like you are in an endless tunnel, never really seeing any light at the end of the tunnel, while scraping rock bottom, and then giving them a lengthier dose of how well I truly feel  now, and how good it can get for them.   If this was ever conceivable, I know I could get a million copies out there.

Now if I could also perform some magic trick, being able to zap people, allowing the included reprogramming process provided in this Book to be instantaneously imbedded within them, well, I would be able to sell like a billion copies.  Facts are though, for those that are really suffering out there, it is not easy, and it takes hard work and commitment to reap the benefits because like everything in Life, in order to get really good at something, you really have to work  hard to get there; the same certainly holds true for this!  This latter step is a big hurdle though, where reluctance kicks in when people start looking at what is involved.  Familiarity with where one stands as they are now, is often, like a 1 ton  anchor wrapped around one’s neck preventing individuals to Change (the key word), regardless of what they may be doing and  how bad they truly may be feeling in their lives.  And I am talking about Change within oneself! … ”