Writer's Guide 101 (Wattpad Edition)

LXXVI. Why Your Book Doesn't SELL? (OPINION)

NOTE: This is just based on my own views and speculations. Kindly take them with a grain of salt. Hopefully, this chapter somehow manages to help anyone as well.

Let me bring you guys in with a little story.

I remember when I was around thirteen or fourteen, I used to get excited everytime my family and I happen to stop by our local bookstore.
   One day, I wanted to buy a novel that's far different from your typical YA fantasy/romance story like Twilight or Harry Potter, anime light novels (e.g. Toradora) and manga (e.g. Vampire Knight, Pokémon).
    Let's say my preferences are quite complicated. I didn't like romance. I want something that makes me go "WTF?!" or confuses the heck out of me that I am able to fill in the pieces together. The problem is they neither have that and the only place where I can find such a book is if I ever wrote one myself.
   
Across the several stories I've seen so far, they tend to be formulaic in order to appeal to the mainstream audience. The girl has to fall for a hot bad boy (or a butch if this is an LGBT story). It has to include werevolves and vampires. Flying dragons. A simplistic, linear writing that has likely been done already.
    When your story doesn't fit a certain mold, it can be difficult to find a loyal readership and opportunities. Even if you were to get any publishing or movie deals, you still aren't gonna be as hugely marketable to everybody aside from a niche group of audience. 
You not only have to appeal to your online followers and fellow content creators, but also to their boomer parents, teachers, TV/film directors and book collectors. You really have to pull all your weight to get more exposure on and offline.
    Side note: DO NOT BOTHER AND SPAM EVERYONE TO READ YOUR STORIES ONLINE! SAYING IT IS BETTER THAN XYZ IS BAD MARKETING AND ONLY MAKES YOU LOOK UNPROFESSIONAL.
    Since only a few types of stories get attention, it ends up leaving other audiences outside the market with limited choices. I know what you're gonna say: But that's business! Why should we market to a small group of people who aren't even our main target audience?
    Yeah, no. Just because it's business and I'm not your target audience, that doesn't mean my opinions don't matter and there can't be a market outside of that popular genre. I wish that other unconventional stories get as much attention.
I also wanna tell everyone that while you are allowed to give constructive criticism and opinions on somebody's work, it's also unfair to expect the author to be just like your favorite authors.
I know that I ain't Colleen Hoover or Jonaxx. Every writer is different after all with each of their own capabilities, ideas and preferences. It doesn't matter whether or not I am able to get any sort of deals from Netflix and Wattpad Books themselves. I am just glad to be able to explore ideas, work hard and create my own unique stories.
Maybe the reason your book barely sells is that they happen to explore controversial themes that are too upsetting to certain groups and risk getting banned in other countries. There are instances where translating it into a show or film is rather expensive.
There is no "one size fits all" so depending on your stories and preferences, I am gonna provide you guys tips in promoting yourselves better:

1) Go spread the word online through short teaser videos, posters and a page dedicated to your work (whether it's YouTube or Tumblr is all up to you!). Be consistent and should give people a good reason what makes your book worth checking out.

(NOTE: The best time are the weekends when everyone's guaranteed to be out of school or work.)

2) Tell your friends at school about it. Sometimes, just publishing online doesn't make the cut unless everyone already knows who you are.

3) Join a group or community of writers who could help you in recommending you to different people.

4) If you're currently working on an avant-garde story, you can also take common tropes and give your own unique twist to appeal to a broader audience. Go watch any A24 film and Brad Bird's The Iron Giant then you'll notice how they both excel at this.

5) I know this might be out of your league but it pays to have an agent who could help you in marketing and writing.