For Writers
Do you wonder how you can more effectively reach your reader? Here's what a few writers had to say about it:
Colleen Coble Use Twitter. Readers can follow me and see what's happening in my day. It automatically posts to Facebook and I get interaction and comments every single day after every update. Takes a bit of time, but I feel much more connected with my readers.
Max Anderson Write something that catches their interest, pulls them in, and causes them to want to know more about you and your writing. Connect by presence on internet (website and blog.) List sites whenever you write an article, print for publication or internet, or do interviews.
Jude Urbanski "I was surprised when readers wrote. Humbled. Respond right away and thank them for reading your book. Usually only a couple of emails are exchanged, but I really feel connected with readers this way."
Carrie Stuart Parks She posted email address and website in her books. Gets emails from around the world. Blogs on Amazon and has newsletter people sign up for on her website. She sent postcards when her latest book came out to anyone who had ever contacted her. Personally answers all emails. Posts their stories on her web page. Connects when she teaches or speaks.
Deborah Raney Sends out quarterly newsletter to 1000 readers. Includes info they won't get elsewhere--new family photos and news, the story behind the story for new releases, brief reviews of books she's currently reading. She does postcard mailings with a unique design where the postcard can be converted into three bookmarks. Book club appearances (also by phone), mug giveaways, blog interviews, and book signings.
Stephanie Whitson "I work on shifting my thoughts and intent in every instance of reader contact from promotion, which is "me-centered," to ministry, which takes the emphasis off what the reader can do for me and puts it where it belongs ... what can I do for these individuals that God has put in my path? How can God use me to encourage them? I also put personal notes on each post card about my new release
Delia Latham Remain available. Make it easy for the reader to find you, and keep it real. They want to know you're someone just like them. Someone who can relate to their situation, circumstances, life. They want to know the author cares about them as a reader.
Rachel Hauck Put book trailers or video blogs on YouTube. Attend writer's conferences, as writers are readers. Change your website often. People like new content.
Sharon Hinck A free bookmark and autographed book plate offered as a thank you for a kind email from a reader. Sometimes an email prayer for a reader who writes about problems in their life.
Rita Gerlach Speak at local and library book clubs--they're excited to meet the author. Have a great website that stirs their emotions and senses and convinces them to buy your book and read it
Judy Gann My book The God of All Comfort is for people with chronic illness. HopeKeepers support groups usually meet in churches. When I travel, I arrange ahead of time to speak with these groups. I sell far more books at these gatherings than in bookstores. This could also work for a fiction book with a character living with a chronic disease.
Christa Parrish--In email responses to readers, I ask where they're from and how they heard about the book. I provide a "goodie" related to the story (maybe a recipe) for those who write and say they are reading it in a book club.
Amber Miller I take one day a week to respond to comments on blogs and emails. It's the personal touch that counts. Otherwise, readers aren't getting anything from you that they can't get from an author bio.