WOW! Women On Writing Blog: building a readership

Sunday, November 09, 2014

photo by hudsononthego (Flickr.com)

You might think, "ON A QUEST FOR READERS" is a funny topic for a blogging post on a writing site. But let's just ask ourselves, all of us--who have books, short stories, blogs, poems online and more--what is it that you want? And most of us, after we dream big and mention the NYT bestseller's list, will say, "We want readers."

Really, isn't that what you want?

I'm going to be honest with you. I want readers. I write for children. I have three books, and my audience ranges from 3 to 18+, but I will take any reader from 1 to 101. I just want some.

Okay, so I'm exaggerating. Yes, I have some readers. I have been blessed with super loyal and wonderfully generous friends (and parents!) as well as a few cyber followers and strangers who have found my books at random events. And yet, I still feel like I am on a quest for readers.

So I thought I would start my quest today .There's nothing like a lovely Sunday when daylight savings time is over and a chill is in the air, to find some new fans and readers to love my books.

But how do I do this? This is where I need help. According to several authors who have done live events, there are random people that come to their tables and then confess, "I don't really read."

Yesterday, I was in the most lovely bookstore in Warrenton, MO, The Village Bookstore, and the owner confessed that "people just don't buy books." And these books were used--mostly $1 to $2 a book, AND the profits went to raise money for people in Africa.

So where are the readers?

I know they are out there. I mean, tons of books are sold a year. I see people get SO EXCITED about a book they read that becomes a movie--John Green (Fault in Our Stars) is now a celebrity. But WHERE. ARE. THESE. READERS?

So, I am on a quest, and I will periodically share my quest with you. At this time, I would love to hear from you if you are a reader and what you like to read OR if you know where I can find some. I would also like to invite you to sign up for my monthly FREE newsletter, where I will share my own news about my books and events and also news for people who like to read and write. You can do that here.

Until then, readers of the world--be strong. Stay a reader. And find your writer.

Margo L. Dill is a children's writer of novels and picture books. She is also an instructor for the WOW! Women On Writing classroom.

6 comments building a readership, Margo L. Dill, marketing, writing struggles

Lessons On How To Tease...Your Readers

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Last weekend, I learned something about myself. I'm a tease. A big tease. And, I guess, a pretty good one too.

Okay! Put the stripper music away, that's not what I meant. I'm talking about enticing readers about your book projects even before its published. This is a huge part of marketing and promotion because you're building a readership early on by increasing an interest in the story.

You don't have to do that much, really. For example, when I signed the contract for my adult thriller/suspense novella Out Of Sync (coming out next week), I told my followers on Twitter and Facebook. As the book went through its editing process, I shared how things were going, answered questions about the storyline, shared edited snippets, shared the synopsis and even talked about the cover when I first saw it: "Oh my goodness! It is amazing!" Then, of course, I shared the final cover when it was finished. I didn't realize it as I was going along but I was delving into the promotion tool of teasing, and it was working to increase future readers/buyers of my book! Doing little things like that all the way up to the day the book is published increases your followers, peaks readers' interest and, most importantly, leads to better sales.

Cheryl Tardif shares a wealth of tips on how to tease your readers on her marketing blog. As an author, publisher and expert book marketer, she knows a thing or two about selling books. I highly suggest checking out her post on teasing and take some notes.

Well, that's it for me for today. I'm off to work on the edits for my young adult suspense/paranormal, Dark Water, coming out in late summer. Be prepared to be teased.

Keep writing!

Chynna