IWSG: Merry-Go-Round & Round & Round...

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers who share ideas and encourage other writers. It's a great place to express doubts and concerns as well as offer and receive tribulations and guidance from other writers. IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month. I think you'll find it to be a great writer's resource that's well worth your time. Be sure to stop by and visit with some of the other IWSG writers/bloggers at IWSG Members.

A great big thank you to our awesome April Co-Hosts:
Christopher D. Votey
Madeline Mora-Summonte
Fundy Blue
Chrys Fey

Everyone says Build Your Brand!  It's an absolute must if you want to connect with readers and gain a following with name recognition and book sales as an end goal.  They also say don't wait until you have a book ready to market!  Start making social media connections early and often - even as you start writing your book.  Webpage, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, and so on and on and on . . . it's a spinning, out of control Merry-Go-Round.  How in the world do you manage it all on a regular basis and still have time for writing a book (along with all that pesky real life stuff)?  I understand the concept and the necessity, I just don't get the how.  There are days I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round that's wildly out of kilter.  I need to get off, slow things down, and gain control again.  But, I also want to go for the bling - the golden ring.

And while researching the efficient use of social media in regards to building an author brand, I found my efforts up to this point may be for naught.  Talk about feelings of inadequacy.  To do it "right", I'd have to start from scratch or come up with a plan to switch course - which will eat up more writing time.  It's a vicious circle.  My merry-go-round is running at warp speed, and it feels like all I can do is hang on for dear life.  I'm too stubborn (and yes, dedicated) to quit, but there's only one of me.  How do I get it all done?  I realize many established authors pay a professional Virtual Assistant to handle social media . . . and I will certainly consider it in the future.  But it's not an option for me at this time.

Insecurities?!  They're like a bad dose of medicine right now, choking me on the way down.  I'm normally a glass half full kind of girl . . . but I suddenly find myself thinking "half empty".  It's wearing on me mentally which affects me physically.  While I fully intend to grab that gold ring, I need some sound advice and a plan. 

So, tell me please . . .  how do you do it all?  I know many of you are masters at riding the social media/author brand merry-go-round while juggling everything else.  Share your best ideas before I'm tossed off on my behind.  My sanity is at stake!