Editio Self-Publishing discussion

kay, I need an idea of how often everyone checks their sales figures. I have been fighting with myself over this point since I started self publishing. In the beginning it was easy. I got a notice from Smashwords whenever anyone bought my one self published novel (which was rarely). Not though I actually self pub on three sites and I ended up turning off the Smashwords notifier because that didn't alert you when B&N etc sold a book and so wasn't complete info.
But, my problem now is that I feel like I am addicted to checking my numbers. When I rarely had sales it wasn't a big deal but now I usually have at least one sale a day. And, because I do have sales numbers now I am obsessively checking them. Sometimes 5 times a day.
I have tried to cut back to once a month (but that seemed like too little) and even once a week (which also seemed too little). What do you all recommend?

Every couple of hours. Then I'll log my book title in on Amazon and see what my ranking is. If I hadn't, I'd have missed some pretty amazing moments worth celebrating, because the ranking numbers fluctuate throughout the day.

I didn't do it for a couple of weeks after publishing, naively thinking that Amazon would notify me ... so I was disappointed, thinking I had not sold a single copy, until I logged into KDP and had a pleasant surprise! I now check daily, and like you Karey, have checked the ranking (best one was #1 on Amazon.com in my category! It didn't last long but I took a screenshot at least).

Elizabeth wrote: "I didn't do it for a couple of weeks after publishing, naively thinking that Amazon would notify me ... so I was disappointed, thinking I had not sold a single copy, until I logged into KDP and had..."
Screen shots AND page print to show everyone AND to frame (helps to remind me why I've chosen this crazy business)!
I'm #4 in Mythology--woot-woot, and have been #2 over on Amazon/Australia under Romance/Time Travel. Exciting times!!! And not the least bit shocking for we Indie authors with small budgets :D

Cool! I actually don't check my ranking very often (as my sales are fairly small at this point) but I will have to think about doing that!
So happy for you all.
And feeling less like a freak for checking like crazy too!

You worked hard. Reap the benefits, small and large. It goes a long way to lighting a fire under your butt when you question if writing is for you, or have one of those days where you don't feel like you have the time...

Jane, I checked my sales figures five times while reading your comment.

LOL@ Mike!

I check mine once a week, on a Monday, because otherwise I'd be checking it all the time. Checking for updates so often really gets in the way of doing other stuff I should be doing, just like checking Facebook or checking emails. If I did it any more often I'd definitely still have a limit, like every 3 days or once a day in the morning or evening.

I check once a day too, more if I've had a promo etc. It feels like an addiction, maybe I need a support group.:)

C.S. wrote: "I check once a day too, more if I've had a promo etc. It feels like an addiction, maybe I need a support group.:)"

It really does feel like an addiction! I actually feel a little high whenever I see a sale.

lol! Well, we're not alone.

Sales! People have sales!

Seriously, I am trying to wean myself off of checking every couple of days. What was my ranking again?

Well done Karey, yes, I should frame my screenshot! Down to checking every couple of days now ...

The new Amazon sales dashboard is becoming addictive. I check it several times a day, willing my dot over the next horizontal goal line.

I check...Too Often!
(And yes, I also lay blame on that new Amazon graph thingy!)

I'm still checking mine. It's become my daily 'fix'.
We should start group therapy.
Clap, if you admit to having a problem.
RRA--Rehab for Ratings Addicts

Hi,

When I first published, I was checking several times a day.

Now I check every few days. I think it's worth doing to see if prices need tweaking.

I thought *I* was the most neurotic author. Glad to hear from you all that I'm only average neurotic. My wife's convinced I'm obsessing - but now I know I'm in great company.

Blogged about this last week

I Must Not Check My Sales Figures