Over 30 Outstanding Authors
Share Their Experiences. Compiled
by James Moushon
The Starting Gate
Finding readers is an important activity if you want to be a
successful writer. So I reached out to a group of authors to find out how they
found their readers and formed relationships.
Ready. Set. Go. Here is upfront startup advice from a couple
of our outstanding authors.
Elizabeth
S. Craig
Elizabeth is the author of the Myrtle Clover mysteries, the
Memphis Barbeque mysteries (as Riley Adams), and the Southern Quilting
mysteries.
Website -
Twitter: @elizabethscraig - Facebook - Goodreads
I use a mix of approaches to find
and engage readers. I recommend finding one or two social media platforms that
you feel comfortable with and then keeping those updated. I also employ
Goodreads giveaways before each new release (digital giveaways only) of the
first book in the series. This way, anyone who enters the giveaway will show my
book in their feed and they'll also get notified whenever I have a new release.
I also post a sample chapter of upcoming releases on my author Facebook page as
a Facebook note, which helps engage readers.
Sally
Berneathy
Sally is the USA TODAY
BESTSELLING author of mysteries, comedies, romance, romantic suspense and
paranormal. Website - Twitter: @sallyberneathy - Facebook - Goodreads
We need to include links to our other books inside the
books we publish, and update those books when we get new links. I’m going to do
that tomorrow.
Dianne
Harman
Dianne is an Award-Winning
Bestselling Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
Website -
Twitter: @DianneDHarman - Facebook - Goodreads
Finding a reading audience is one of the most difficult
things an author has to deal with, particularly if you write contemporary
fiction which crosses several genres. I use twitter, tweet groups, Goodreads, and
Facebook. I'm a believer that no one is going to look for your works if they're
under a rock, so I think multi-exposure is critical. If you write in a very
specific genre, I think it's much easier to target your audiences. I read some
advice early on to write what you'd like to read, and so I do, but since I read
in a number of genres, it makes it difficult.
Katherine
Logan
Katherine is an Award winning,
best-selling author. She is the author of the Celtic Brooch Time-Travel Series.
Website - Twitter: @KathyLLogan - Facebook - Goodreads
In the back of my ebooks is a note to email me with
“Sequel” in the subject line if the reader is interested in being notified when
the next book is released. Some readers write notes. Those emails I respond to,
thanking them for reading and letting them know I will email when the next book
is ready. I also invite them to visit my Facebook page where I post regular
updates on the characters and the research I’m conducting. I have done several
ads to promote posts and this has found new followers.
NOTE:
This complete study is 15 pages long. To have an eCopy of
the Finding Readers Study:
Email me at: james.moushon@gmail.com
Just list
your name and the format of the copy. (DOC or PDF) I will reply with the study
attached.
(Your email
address is confidential.)
Developing Lists
Lists are the key to forming a relationship with readers
and keeping in contact with them.
Pamela
Fagan Hutchins
Pamela is an award-winning and
best-selling romantic mystery/suspense and hilarious nonfiction writer.
The engagement on Social Media pays off. The better my
mailing list reflects the true readers of my books, the better my ability is to
impact my rank with sales/reads when I send a newsletter about a new release.
The better my Facebook author page follows, the better my ability to generate a
quality Lookalike advertising audience, which in turn generates my best ad
return-on-investment.
Alan
Jacobson
Alan is the bestselling author of jaw-dropping
thrillers. He writes the OPSIG Team Black series and the Karen Vail Series. Website - Twitter: @JacobsonAlan - Facebook - Goodreads
I've been in this business over 25 years and was one of the first
authors (if not the first) to put his email address on the book flap of his
hardcover. People thought I was crazy. Who was going to email an author? But I
did get emails, from all over the world--even though email was relatively new
back then.
Jessica
Lauryn
Jessica is the Top Selling Author of
the Romantic Suspense Series, The Pinnacles of Power.
Website -
Twitter: @JessicaLauryn_ - Facebook - Goodreads
When I was starting out as a writer, I stumbled upon the
statement “writers spend their entire lives in basements doing nothing but
writing.” While I believe the idea behind it may have been to caution people
who don’t necessarily possess the stamina to spend countless hours away from
family and friends doing nothing but writing, it struck a different chord in
me. I loved writing, and the idea of being able to do it, uninterrupted, to my
heart’s content, was more thrilling than anything I could imagine.
Unfortunately, the outdated myth that writers spend their
entire lives doing nothing but writing simply isn’t true.
Susanne
Lakin
Susanne is an Award-winning Author.
She is the author of the many fantasy novels. Also, Susanne is a freelance
copyeditor and writing coach.
Authors need to realize two key points: The good news is
there are readers all over the world who will want to read their book! The
not-so-good news is it takes time and effort (and patience) to find those
readers.
There are plenty of ways to gradually build up readership.
Social media is great. Setting up a Facebook author page, a blog that offers
great free content to readers that they can promote via social networks, guest
blogging on others’ blogs on content relevant to what their book is about,
joining in on forums on Goodreads and Amazon, and using Twitter with
appropriate hash tags to announce their books to readers are all great ways to
get the word out.
Social Media – Facebook – Twitter - Instagram
A Social Media presence is a must for keeping in contact with
readers. They will get to know you and find what’s coming next.
Melody
Anne
Melody is a NYT and USA Today Best
Selling Author. She is the author of many Romance and Young Adult novels.
Website -
Twitter: @authmelodyanne - Facebook - Goodreads
I lean heavily on popular social media platforms to build
and maintain reader’s lists. More accurately put, I use social media to engage
and build relationships with my readers. Using social media, I allow readers to
come into my life and share in experiences that they can relate to, from the
view point of one woman to another.
I think heavy engagement with my followers via social
media is one key aspect to building my reader list. Due to the viral nature of
things like Facebook and Twitter, if a fan “likes”, retweets or comments on
anything I post, the friends of my fans can usually see it, attracting a sort
of viral attention to my social media presence.
Kathy
Bennett
Kathy is a bestselling suspense. She
is an author specializing in Mystery & Thrillers with Women Sleuths. Website - Twitter: @kathywriteslapd - Facebook - Goodreads
Most of the social media interaction I do is on Facebook.
I usually post once a day on my author page and check back several times during
the day and respond to any comments. Not very many readers comment, but the few
who do are very loyal. I'm building strong relationships with those readers. I
do use Twitter, but it's not my favorite format. I usually post interesting
trivia bits, or funny sayings. I rarely tweet about my books - unless I've got
a new book out or I'm running a sale or something. Then I'll tweet more about
my books. I'm trying to do more with Goodreads, but at this time, don't spend a
lot of time there.
Cindy
Blackburn
Cindy is a Mystery writer. She is the
author of Cue Ball Mysteries, and the Cassie Baxter Mysteries. Website - Twitter: @cbmysteries - Facebook - Goodreads
Twitter is my baby! Twitter is my number one way of
finding new readers. I post fun and funny tweets about my books, and add links
to Amazon. Then, once my relationship with a reader has begun (once a reader
has “discovered” me and my books), then I think FaceBook is very helpful to
inform readers of my other books, and that I write two different series.
Twitter is also an important way I connect with other authors and book
reviewers. For instance, Twitter is how I met and know James Moushon! And
FaceBook, again, is important. I belong to several FB groups—for readers, for
authors, and for cozy mysteries—which is the genre I write in. I also belong to
and participate in several writers organizations, most importantly to Sisters
in Crime.
Melinda
De Ross
Melinda is an International author who writes Suspense, Romance,
Humor and Comedy novels. Website -
Twitter: @melinda_de_ross - Facebook - Goodreads
I use my Facebook page, Twitter,
Instagram, Pinterest to post a number of things, from my books to my personal
life. I feel readers like a peek into the author's life, so I like to post
photos of myself and my husband, food photos, funny memes, etc. I never talk
about politics or other controversial issues in public and try to avoid drama of
any kind. I also use blog posts and newsletters to share information about
myself and my books, and I try not to make my posts look like sales pitches. I
share favorite books, movies, music, food, travel destinations, interesting
facts, etc.
Pamela Harstad
Pamela is an inspirational romance
writer.
As an inspirational romantic suspense author, I find my
Facebook author page helpful in gaining readers. All my information is there,
but my blog brings activity with my readers. Also, Goodreads is a great way to
connect with readers and authors. There are so many groups to choose from to
gain recognition and to also know others, besides the sharing of so many books.
Pamela
Fagan Hutchins
Pamela is an award-winning and
best-selling romantic mystery/suspense and hilarious nonfiction writer. Website - Twitter: @PamelotH - Facebook - Goodreads
These days, my primary method of finding new readers is
advertising my new Patrick Flint series on Facebook, then inviting all the
people that react to the ads to like my author page. I engage regularly and
personally with them from that page, with on-brand posts: videos, photos, and
updates that showcase the adventuresome life reflected in my books and my
writing life as well. In addition, I include front-of-book and end-of-book
invitations for readers to receive a free ebook starter library in return for joining
my newsletter mailing list. I use the newsletter to send out chatty, newsy new
release announcements, and from that list, I build my advance review team, who
proofread for me and post reviews on all my books. For me, this all ads up to
finding the right readers to engage with by turning them into the right subscribers
(those that are reading my books) and the right people to like my Facebook
author page (the ones that like my book ads).
Lizzy Stevens
Lizzy is an Amazon Best-Selling Author
who writes Paranormal, Romance and Woman's fiction. Website - Twitter: @LizzyStevens123 - Goodreads
I like Twitter the best. It's the one I use the most. When
you are on social media you have to be sure not to flood your page with buy
your book promos. Tell people about your book and share that information with
them, but don't post every single post about it. It is social media for a
reason. Interact with people. Talk about things that interest you and might
interest others. Start up conversations. The more you get your name out there
the more chance you have of selling your books.
Susan
Oleksiw
Susan is a bestselling author of the
Mellingham series and the Anita Ray mysteries.
I’m spending more time using social media strategically.
I’m been on FB and Goodreads for years, and regularly post book reviews in all
genres. On FB I have longer discussions and question/answer posts (some light,
some serious) with a growing number of readers/posters. I'm also on Twitter and
Instagram. On Twitter I post articles, promote anthologies and articles on
short fiction, but few political pieces. On Instagram I’m posting photos I take
on my walks, some PR for books and stories, and other photos of crafts. So far
Instagram is all photos of things of a general interest—flowers, books, things
I see on my walk, and the like.
Khaled
Talib
Khaled writes Thrillers, Mysteries,
and Suspense novels and short stories.
Website - Twitter: @KhaledTalib - Facebook - Goodreads
I started a platform on Twitter just to follow the crowd.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. In the initial, I was dabbling around, and I
noticed almost no response to my tweets... until I started tweeting my own
personal writing phrases. It attracted a huge following. I built up a
relationship with many people on Twitter who then joined me on Facebook. They
have been supporting me ever since. It takes a while to build a relationship.
In some cases, months or years.
Mike Wells
Mike is an American bestselling
author including Lust, Money & Murder and Passion, Power & Sin. Website -
Twitter: @MikeWellsAuthor - Facebook - Goodreads
As a writer, I've found that this applies to
"authorprenurship", too. To find new readers, I use a combination of
social networking, blogging, entertaining quizzes, book trailers, book GIFS,
posting funny photos, low-cost advertising, and especially giving away free
series starter books. I also do a lot of other much things but together they
all add up.
NOTE:
This complete study is 15 pages long. To have an eCopy of
the Finding Readers Study:
Email me at: james.moushon@gmail.com
Just list
your name and the format of the copy. (DOC or PDF) I will reply with the study
attached.
(Your email
address is confidential.)
Use the Internet
Use the Internet with tools like email, blogging, a website
and a newsletter.
J.A. Jance
Judith is a New York Times
bestselling author. She is the author of the Joanna Brady, Ali Reynolds, and
the J. P. Beaumont series. Website -
Twitter: @JAJance - Facebook - Goodreads
I write a blog which is published each Friday. There is no
advertising—not on Facebook and not on my web page, either. The blog offers a
window on my world and allows readers to get to know the person behind the
words on the pages.
I respond to every email personally. Those people are my
readers. My first sales rep told me that every personal contact results in ten
readers, so emails are points of personal interaction. The people who write to
me are added into my new book notification list—a database of readers that numbers
over 13,000. Newsletters go out prior to the publication of hardbacks and
paperbacks. They also go out from time to time when I feel like saying
something.
I think the newsletters are, in large measure, responsible
for my health pre-sale numbers.
Merry
Jones
Merry is the bestselling author of
the Elle Harrison Thrillers, The Zoe Hayes Mysteries and the Harper Jennings
Mystery series. Website -
Twitter: @MerryDDJones - Facebook - Goodreads
So many ways. I have a website to describe and offer my work,
and two Facebook pages--one for me and one just for my books. Each time a new
book is released, I promote it (its cover reveal, its release date, its presale
availabllity, etc) on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. I take out
ads on Facebook. I put my newsletter on Facebook and Twitter, and direct
emails, and run excerpts (quotes) from books on Instagram and Facebook. I use
Goodreads to list books and run giveaways, but also run giveaways through my
newsletter. For every book, I also conduct blog tours, which I promote on all
my social media outlets. In addition, I cohost a podcast which is available
online via the Project Entertainment website (and other outlets). Everything
promotion--from book reviews to writer related humor seems to be via social
media. And by the way, it's not all about my books. I post book-related/writing
related/reader-related items, as well. Anything relevant that's of interest to
me and my readers helps (I hope) build our relationships.
S.R.
Mallery
Sarah is the award-winning author who
writes Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Mysteries. Website - Twitter: @SarahMallery1 - Facebook - Goodreads
Not only with getting to know different
authors online, but also for learning invaluable promotional information. I’ve
also developed a Newsletter, which I am now sending out twice a month. Although
my books have been mostly historical fiction, my newsletter is very eclectic.
I’ve been ‘told not to do that,’ but I find that the more genres I carry, the
more I can 1) reach a broader audience of newsletter subscribers, and 2) I can
help more author friends promote their own work. That’s when Newsletter Swaps
come in. When I add an author’s book to my newsletter, they will either do the
same in their newsletter or, if they don’t have one, they will promote my work
online. Professional promotion sites can be very helpful sales-wise, but they
are expensive. Newsletter swaps are free and help you get involved with other
authors. I used Mailerlite for setting up my newsletter, and recently have been
trying out StoryOrigin for newsletter swaps and promotions.
Jade
Varden
Crime and Horror Author Jade Varden
is the creator of the Deck of Lies book series.
Twitter: @JadeVarden - Facebook - Goodreads
I have definitely gained new readers through guest blog
posts and book reviews that appear on author blogs. I've also discovered new
books for myself by visiting author blogs, so it's a win-win.
Lori Wilde
Lori is the New York Times and USA
Today bestselling author of over 80 romance novels. Website - Twitter: @loriwilde - Facebook - Goodreads
One of my most effective ways of reaching readers is
through my newsletter and my FB readers group. I have an assistant who gets to
know everything she can about my readers and we strive to make them feel
special. We send out birthday cards and sympathy cards, hold giveaways and
special online events, for example, the cover model for one of books came on as
a guest speaker and it was a huge hit. I post jigsaw puzzles and context
related to my brand. Basically, the personal touch is what works for me
building my readership.
Groups and Networking
The more interaction the better. Readers are everywhere
including the authors who read also. Look for groups of readers and authors to
spread about your works.
Cheryl Bradshaw
Cheryl
is the Amazon Best-Selling Author of the Sloane Monroe series.
Website - Twitter: @cherylbradshaw - Facebook - Goodreads
Working with other authors is a big key to author
success. Networking helps us stay relevant and to know what trends are working
in the industry and which trends aren't. There are a couple of conferences
every author should consider attending each year (post COVID-19): NINC
(Novelists, Inc) and 20Books Vegas. I learn more from networking at these conferences
than I do from attending the classes. Aspiring authors can also learn a great
deal from joining Facebook groups where authors talk about everything from
their book covers to how to create successful ads. The Facebook group Indie
Writers Unite is a great place to start.
Sara Fujimura
Sara is the author of TANABATA WISH. Sara writes Young Adult novels. Also, she is a Literacy Advocate.Website - Twitter: @SaraFujimura - Facebook - Goodreads
Goodreads is for readers, so I
don’t engage there. That said, my publisher did do a Goodreads push and giveaway,
which in turn, bumped sales of my other two indie-pubbed books. My focus is
“the fact behind the fiction” and how my real life influences my art. When it
ties into my book directly, I tag it. I also talk about the research that I’m
doing for my next two projects in real time.
Susan
Oleksiw
Susan is a bestselling author of the
Mellingham series and the Anita Ray mysteries.
The degree of collaboration among mystery writers is one
of the great rewards of writing in this genre. I enjoy collaborating with other
writers, helping them because so many people helped me in the beginning. I’m on
other blogs, group blogs, and FB groups. Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers
of America are a great resource for information, support, and general
affiliation. I can’t speak for other parts of the country, but in New England,
SinC and MWA work together to help all mystery writers and build a strong community.
Mohana
Rajakumar
Mohana is an award-winning author based
in Qatar.
I really love Goodreads for finding readers. Because those
who read your book and like it are likely to read other books by the same
author. I have has great success writing to past reviewers of my books in
posting early reviews of new titles or even beta reading, which is offering
comments on a manuscript in progress. They're often excited to read something
before everyone else can and because they're avid readers, they have insightful
comments.
Sharon
Skinner
Sharon is an award-winning poet and
author. She writes Children's Books and Fantasy novels and short stories. Website - Twitter: @sharonskinner56 - Facebook - Goodreads
I actually find that networking
with people who have similar interests outside of reading is as helpful as engaging
directly on reader/author sites. Sooner or later, those people I have built
such relationships with either become readers or recommend my books to others.
And when people ask for reading recommendations, I share the pertinent books
that I have read, but try not to be shy about mentioning my own books as well
when appropriate. That said, it is difficult to determine at what rate these
interactions specifically impact the number of my readers. Then again, isn’t
being in the world and contributing to the ongoing conversation---both by
speaking/writing and listening--as much a part of why we write as connecting
readers with our work?
Direct Contact – Personal Appearances – Signings
– Book Fairs - Book Stores
An old sales saying: ‘Word of Mouth’ is the best technique
to reach your audience.
Teresa
Burrell
Teresa is an author, lawyer and Child Abuse advocate who writes
The Advocate Series and the Tuper Mystery series. Website - Twitter: @teresaburrell - Facebook - Goodreads
I do a lot of in-person events
(or at least I did before the pandemic). I do book clubs, book festivals,
private speaking events, home show events, and just about any group of readers
I can get in front of. Whenever I do that, I gather email addresses and then I
keep in contact with them. I send each a copy of a short story I've written
about one of my characters. I also use the short story as a reader magnet on my
website and places like Book Funnel, Instafreebie, my website, etc. I do a lot
of cross-promotion with other authors.
One of the most important things
to do after you make a contact and get an email address is to keep in touch with
that reader. Treat each as you would a personal friend. Do NOT "sell"
to them after your initial contact, just communicate with them.
Ellen
Mansoor Collier
Ellen is the author of a Jazz Age mystery series set in 1920s Galveston. She is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor .Website - Facebook - Goodreads
Thanks, James—I’m not tech-savvy
so I spend my free time trying to market my trade books to actual stores...gift
shops, bookstores, hotels, boutiques, etc.
Yes, I get a lot of rejection but
it’s very rewarding to see your books on store shelves. You have to think
outside of the big box to get into various venues.
Alan
Jacobson
Alan is the bestselling author of
jaw-dropping thrillers. He writes the OPSIG Team Black series and the Karen
Vail Series. Website -
Twitter: @JacobsonAlan - Facebook - Goodreads
As to going to people, that
happens mostly during conferences, book signings, panel discussions (one venue
may encompass all three), and so on. This can be effective, but it can also be
a waste of time. I suggest trying a venue a few times and if it's not bearing
fruit, try a different one. This can get expensive, especially if you're
traveling somewhere for a conference, which costs a lot of money (travel,
hotel, food)--and time. There are intangibles involved in these types of
endeavors. You could sell 25 books at a time...but the money made will never
cover your costs, let alone turn a handsome profit. But--there could be goodwill
left behind and contacts with people who'll become ongoing readers. You may
never know.
Dianne Krogh
Dianne is a
self-published Contemporary Fiction Author who writes Family Sagas.
Website -
Twitter: @kroghdianne - Facebook - Goodreads
Meeting personally with readers has provided a great
opportunity to promote sales and add new readers to my contact list. Plus, I
love interacting with my readers. Book signings and appearances at book clubs
result in sales and generate conversation which spreads awareness. Readers so
often rely on other readers to recommend books, and I find that people I have
actually met spread the word quickly. One signing or book club appearance can
result in multiple sales for every person who attends. A signing I attended
recently averaged three books per person. Unfortunately, the virus, has caused
cancellations of both book clubs and signings, so I am coordinating with some
of the clubs to use Zoom meetings.
Sharon Skinner
Sharon is an award-winning poet and
author. She writes Children's Books and Fantasy novels and short stories. Website - Twitter: @sharonskinner56 - Facebook - Goodread
Things are strange for me at
the moment, because I am so used to my key reader engagement activities being
in-person events. I have been extremely lucky the past few years to be hosted
at many live events, such as writing conferences, book festivals, pop culture
conventions, and via library programming, etc. So, the “new” reality, where we
are all doing so much on digital platforms is a bit of a challenge.
Chuck
Barrett
Chuck
is a Best-Selling Author. He is the author of the Award-Winning Jake Pendleton
series.
I have one of the best ways to
build my readership and followers is with face time…actual time in front of
readers. Speeches at writer’s conferences and book festivals always show a
marked increase. Another successful method in reaching out to book clubs,
Friends of the Library groups/chapters, writer’s groups, local women's and
men's groups.
Ads and Promotions
Advertising and promotions are very effective if done at the
right time and in the right place.
Dianne
Harman
Dianne is an Award-Winning
Bestselling Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
I constantly reach out to my readers. Right now I'm
offering the 2nd 90 Days, 90 Books. Every other day I have one book at 99 cents
and the other day a Free book. I have received hundreds of emails thanking me
for doing this. I didn't do it as a promotion. I did it to help people during
this time. It had unintended consequences of hundreds of reviews of my book, people
preordering books, etc. I do that through a daily newsletter. I also put it on
Facebook and twitter. Those are the only social media sites I participate in.
Lorhainne
Eckhart
Lorhainne is a Romance, Mystery &
Thrillers, and Young Adult Author.
The methods that have worked well for me are by offering
free books, for example the first book in a series free. What happens is it
drives sales to my other titles in the series. It's a great way to find new
readers. At the end of all my ebooks I always provide an afterword with a link
to sign up to my newsletter, and I notify my readers of upcoming promotions and
new releases.
Book Sets
A collection of books with other authors is a great way to gain
exposure to new readers.
James
Moushon
James is the
self-published Mystery Author of the Jonathon Stone Mysteries. He is an Author
Advocate and book industry blogger. Website -
Twitter: @jimhbs - Facebook - Goodreads
One of the trends for finding new readers is doing Box
Sets with other authors. They are usually by genre, have authors with good
social media numbers and have good content. It’s a great opportunity for
readers to read other authors in the same genre plus their favorite author.
Ebooks make this approach easy to publish and market. Some groups even donate
the revenue to a charity which puts an extra level of demand on the set and
exposure. The Christmas season seems to be a popular time to publish a Box Set
especially for Romance novels.
Dianne
Harman
Dianne is an Award-Winning
Bestselling Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
Working with authors has helped me gain readers and I'm
happy to do newsletter swaps and I have been in several boxed sets. I often promote
authors and I have seen where they have done the same for me.
S.R. Mallery
Sarah is the award-winning author who
writes Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Mysteries. Website - Twitter: @SarahMallery1 - Facebook - Goodreads
I’ve also found that goodwill between authors is invaluable.
Joining a couple of Facebook author support groups and having been included in
several book sets/series has done wonders for me.
Problems – Don’t Hide from your readers – Use
Social media
There are some challenges ahead.
Terry
Ambrose
Terry is the author of the McKenna Mystery series and the Seaside
Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery series. Website -
Twitter: @suspense_writer - Facebook - Goodreads
It's a great question because we
all struggle with this (unless, of course, you're one of the lucky ones whose
books are wildly popular). For any given slice in time, I find social media to
be of not much help. However, it can be a good place to build a presence. With
that said, I'm a strong believer in authors owning their content, which means
social media is simply an outlet where we distribute content hosted on our
websites.
Jessica
Lauryn
Jessica is the Top Selling Author of
the Romantic Suspense Series, The Pinnacles of Power. Website - Twitter: @JessicaLauryn_ - Facebook - Goodreads
An active member of New Jersey Romance Writers for over a
decade, I was stunned when, at a chapter conference, I was told by an author that
writers should expect to spend 50% of their time writing and 50% of it marketing.
50%?!! Carving out writing time is difficult enough as it is but how would I
ever keep up any sort of regular release schedule if I needed to devote 50% of
my time to marketing? I’ve since heard the opinions of other authors who
suggest it’s even higher. And frighteningly enough, if an author is to sell
their work in this very competitive marketplace of ours, they are correct.
Jake
Needham
Jake is a best-selling Mystery &
Thrillers Author. He writes the Jack Shepherd crime thrillers & The
Inspector Samuel Tay Novels. Website -
Twitter: @jakeneedham - Facebook - Goodreads
There was a time several years ago when social media was a
useful tool for authors to meet potential new readers. That time is long gone.
The algorithms of every social media site now keep your posts from being seen
by anyone except the same handful of people over and over. I have 5000 friends
on Facebook and maybe 50 see my posts regularly. I have 60,000 followers on
Twitter and hear from maybe 5. I can’t remember the last time I heard from
anyone who said he had discovered my books through social media. Five years ago,
it happened almost every day. Now it never happens.
Conclusion
A great study by a great bunch of outstanding authors. Finding
readers is an important activity if you want to be a successful writer. Don’t
hide from your audience. Work hard.
Ready. Set. Get going.
NOTE:
This complete study is 15 pages long. To have an eCopy of
the Finding Readers Study:
Email me at: james.moushon@gmail.com
Just list
your name and the format of the copy. (DOC or PDF) I will reply with the study
attached.
(Your email
address is confidential.)
Post Created by: James Moushon
Mystery writer, book
industry blogger, and the sponsor of the following blogs:
EMAIL: james.moushon@gmail.com
Thanks for all of your hard work, James! Keep going strong!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Ellen
Thanks for all the good info, James!
ReplyDelete