New Author: Dropped in The Deep End

"You got dropped in the 'deep end." my book coach told me. 
We were discussing social media marketing and my first published book, Twee'.
I had emailed to tell her I was exhausted. It was the end of an intensive year of research, finding a book coach, writing, editing, and working with an artist, in order to publish my first allegory - picture book for children and adults.  In the 6 months that followed I also learned how to design a web site, use twitter and face book, join writing groups and study the online world of marketing. All the while, new concepts and trainnings kept popping up such as  'virtual book tour',  'pod casts', 'webinars' and others. Each source urged me to learn and incorporate these also into my 'marketing plan' as well. Some even suggested I hire their service to do this behind the scenes work for me. Finances did not allow for that and I believed I needed to 'work it' myself to fully understand the process and to present what is truly "ME."
Concurrent with this I continued to run my part time/full time psychotherapy practice, which I also fully enjoyed, so  the 'book biz' took a back seat, by choice and could only be addressed  in my 'free time.' By the end of the 1 & 1/2 year mark, I felt drained and even resisted clearing emails, writing blogs, tweeting, 'pinterest'ing', 'google+' ing,' and all the other sites that daily called my name. By the third month after publication, and all this effort, sales on my first book appeared dismal. 
"Your second book helps to sell your first book," my book coach said. I had already planned on a short series of 3 allegories with the same character, so that seemed encouraging. But  how do I carry on now that I feel fried? I wanted to become a well loved, published author? Things had to become more manageable! I decided to follow a plan for now.
1.  I wrote the second book. The character is so cute, and the message universal. I couldn't help myself.
2. I decided to take only what I already understood about marketing, and use that.
These included: to Blog, use Twitter, Facebook, and Hootsuite to tie them all together, to market my book. These are mostly free services. I just had to do the work consistently.
3. I asked the local libraries for dates to come in and read to the children and parents. Each library allowed me to provide book signing and sales as well.  I planned an appearance once every two weeks. I knew I could fit that into my schedule. 
4.  I contacted a local newspaper in rural Vermont and emailed a press release,book cover picture and picture of me. A reporter called and said he'd send me an intern for an interview. The interview was conducted Saturday, July 12, 2013 and I await publication.
5. I will catalog the multiple downloaded books, documents, courses and web links I saved and schedule each on my calendar for reading. I will begin this study with: how to conduct a 'virtual book tour.
6. I will engage in a virtual book tour, once I understand  what it is and how to do it? :-) 
.....Now where did I put that information?...........
Susie E. Caron (July 14, 2013)