when its happening im checking if the needle valve is open.
if then i try to start and fails for many times it could be because the engine is flooded in this case i open the glow plug and spin few times to make sure all the fuel is out of the cylinder then put the plug back on and try again to start.
another thing im doing is to prime the carb before you start it by doing this:
No glow starter yet!
after filling the tank i fill the carb cup with fuel,
swing the prop so the fuel sinks,
close the carb with my thumb and swing the prop 3-4 times so there is fuel in the fuel line and in the cylinder then glow plug starter and starting the motor.
try to do it with an instructor if you can.

if its a new engine read the engine's manual about break in.
my glow plug starters last for two to three days of flying and i have several of them just in case.

as for those AA battery glow plug starter are very handy and i have one of them as backup since they dont need to be charged from a specific wall charger but they hold less then the 1600-1800 mAh.