Support for Indie Authors discussion

Well, I published my first novel, which took me over 3 years to complete, at the first of the year. It was professionally edited. I released it with what I considered to be realistically low expectations. My goal was to get one person who didn't know me to read and review my book. ONE person! But now that sales have completely flatlined for the past ten days, I don't think I'll even reach that goal. I've run a .99 promo and spent $60 marketing--facebook, goodreads, askDavid, Book Bargains--none of which has helped a bit. Perhaps I'm not "fighter" enough to be an indie author, but really there are only so many times you can see zero sales before discouragement takes hold. I plan to continue writing, but I suppose only friends and family will ever be the ones to "discover" me.
:(
Don't know why I'm sharing this with you all--just venting, I guess. May you all have better luck than me.

Venting is good! It keeps us all from going crazy. Do you have a website? Or a facebook page? I went on Amazon to check out your book. Personally, I think a bit more interesting, exciting blurb could help sales a bit. But that's just me.

Zero sales for only ten days on your first book? I don't think you should throw in the towel quite yet. Sales are a constant struggle.

After releasing my first book, I think I saw a handful of sales the first couple of days and then nothing for almost two or three months. Marketing is just as hard as writing... maybe even more.

Hang in there, X. You are in good company.

It took me forever to get my first sales and reviews. I still have hardly any. I'm not a "fighter", either, promotion definitely isn't my thing, but slowly, incrementally, I'm building up a mini-readership.

I try to spend very little on ads, now, though. None of my sales have come from ads that I can determine. They've come through free book promos which have then encouraged interested readers to check out my back & future catalogue. I've heard authors say not to undervalue your book or books in general by giving them away free, but I guess I consider it an investment toward building a base.

We've all felt like that at one time or another. Don't get too discouraged! Remember why you write in the first place and don't get too bogged down by the 'numbers.'

Doesn't seem to be any question here. I recall you venting about this a few days ago and being encouraged to give it some time. Your book has not been out that long. Patience is huge when you are an Indie author. The only way you can ensure you will NOT hit your goal of having a review by stranger is to give up.

Keep plugging away, write another book, keep marketing...

Or give up before you've really started. It's your choice.