Successful writing comes with so many aspects a prospective author doesn't think about. So often when we are preparing to sell our work the thought is "publish, publish, publish" not "audience, audience, audience" but I think most any published or indie author would agree that the audience is the most important part.
The audience is what drives our success, finding them, and bringing them to your book is only a small piece of the puzzle.
Coming up with a marketing strategy that works is something I am still learning, and something all writers, yes even successful ones, will always be learning, fifteen years ago there was no such thing as Tweeting about a book... there was no Facebook, Tumblr, Youtube, Pinterest.... There are so many ways you can advertise now, whether working with a publisher or alone, but the advertising is only enough to capture an audience's eye!
I read a blog on OneHandedWriters a little while back about respecting our readers. Its soooooo necessary! To enrapture we must put forth quality work, respect our readers as intelligent beings who deserve our time, full attention, and efforts. They want to feed their desires and we should fill them with delectable goodies! Enrapture!
So how can we know when we're capturing and enrapturing our audience? Sales? Reviews? Comments? Emails? Yes...and self-fulfillment. Just because you get a bad review though doesn't mean that your failing, only that you didn't appeal to that person. Take their critique as a grain of salt, were they saying they didn't like the spelling errors? Hire an editor - capture that reader by respecting him enough to fix the problem. Was she saying she didn't like the character? To each his own. My worst review was a 3 "cups" out of five given to me on The Binding, but she used the words "hot" and "in-your-face sex filled" and explained that it was rated down because she wanted more romance and love - not really a part of the first story.
I was asked if the entire reason I made my Youtube trailer for The Binding and Bound to Him was for advertising purposes. NO! I am in love with Brit and Isaac. They are a part of me in ways I can't explain to non-writers. I love telling their story and seeing them come to life. They have enraptured me so completely that the written word was not enough and I went seeking photos of them. Sure, this was a new way to take my business and experiment, but it wasn't it in its entirety. Of course being a professional writer the more I sell the more time I have to write (catch 22 that way huh!) But it was also done for myself, and most importantly for my readers. Those who have been cheering me on from the get-go and those who are just now joining me. Those who have bought one book, or those who have come back again and again and have bought most of my collection.
The audience is what drives our success, finding them, and bringing them to your book is only a small piece of the puzzle.
Coming up with a marketing strategy that works is something I am still learning, and something all writers, yes even successful ones, will always be learning, fifteen years ago there was no such thing as Tweeting about a book... there was no Facebook, Tumblr, Youtube, Pinterest.... There are so many ways you can advertise now, whether working with a publisher or alone, but the advertising is only enough to capture an audience's eye!
I read a blog on OneHandedWriters a little while back about respecting our readers. Its soooooo necessary! To enrapture we must put forth quality work, respect our readers as intelligent beings who deserve our time, full attention, and efforts. They want to feed their desires and we should fill them with delectable goodies! Enrapture!
So how can we know when we're capturing and enrapturing our audience? Sales? Reviews? Comments? Emails? Yes...and self-fulfillment. Just because you get a bad review though doesn't mean that your failing, only that you didn't appeal to that person. Take their critique as a grain of salt, were they saying they didn't like the spelling errors? Hire an editor - capture that reader by respecting him enough to fix the problem. Was she saying she didn't like the character? To each his own. My worst review was a 3 "cups" out of five given to me on The Binding, but she used the words "hot" and "in-your-face sex filled" and explained that it was rated down because she wanted more romance and love - not really a part of the first story.
I was asked if the entire reason I made my Youtube trailer for The Binding and Bound to Him was for advertising purposes. NO! I am in love with Brit and Isaac. They are a part of me in ways I can't explain to non-writers. I love telling their story and seeing them come to life. They have enraptured me so completely that the written word was not enough and I went seeking photos of them. Sure, this was a new way to take my business and experiment, but it wasn't it in its entirety. Of course being a professional writer the more I sell the more time I have to write (catch 22 that way huh!) But it was also done for myself, and most importantly for my readers. Those who have been cheering me on from the get-go and those who are just now joining me. Those who have bought one book, or those who have come back again and again and have bought most of my collection.
So I'm sending out my thank you to my readers. Thank you for risking your time and money on my book or books, for dropping by and visiting my site and for your feedback.
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