Creating A Reader Fan Base

For the newly published, a starter guide to begin the journey.

Readers who think you’re a great author are the best, of course. They browse for your books at Barnes and Noble, Borders, your niche bookstore, and recommend you to all their friends, family and neighbors. (Hey, don’t stop there dear fan, how about your colleagues at work.) These types of fans support you through thick and thin, good and bad times just like a faithful husband or wife. High five to all authors who have a fan base as I just described. However, such is not the case with many of us.

The secret to building a fan base varies, and goes in many different directions. The number one factor is building relationships, and this starts during the production of your book. First by building anticipation of the release date, with local media, reviews, and even setting speaking events at your church, local clubs, whatever avenue may be open to you, to discuss how you became a writer and the road to publication. I have found that the reading audience is very interested in how an author got started in their career. All of this requires thought and a real desire to succeed—plus hard work. Good things rarely come easy. Tate authors have an advantage to building a fan base, because they have the full co-operation of their personal marketing representative. These valuable people are ready to make contacts, and assist you in any way available to them.

Things to consider when building a reader fan base. Will it be a short fling, or a long-term relationship? Just as we do in personal relationships, we must work to keep our fan base intact by continuing to be interesting and from an author’s perspective, marketable. How do we do that? By delivering a superior product—an interesting, or inspiring piece of literature—one that captivates and holds the interest of our readers, should be number one priority. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so it’s important to give fans something to talk about, long after they have read the book.

In the publishing world, readers are valued commodities, and we must cherish them. Write with your niche fans in mind; go to your audience, with the purpose to please them, rather than to sell to them. If they like the product, they will buy it.

In the business world, we hear of customer relations, to further the growth of a company. In the publishing world, the same principals apply. We must please our readers (customers) by giving them the products they want, to keep them coming back.

Points to remember: Know your readers—their interests—what is hot in your niche market. Exceed their expectations by writing the best book you can, possibly a best seller.

At Times Marketing Can Come Easy

Something interesting and flattering happened to me this past Thursday. Actually, it counts more as a compliment I suppose. I paid a visit to my local Christian book store to pick up the latest copy of one of my favorite author's books. The store had been my second book signing host. I was browsing the fiction section and the owner of the store came over to say hello and assist me. We had interesting conversation about the author since she is a local to us, and he had hosted a signing event for her when he was manager of a Family Christian store.

I told him that the author of the book I was purchasing was a real inspiration to aspiring Christian fiction writers and a very good author. Then I thanked him again for his support. He said that I was most welcome, and also welcomed to come back anytime.

I then remembered he had ordered 10 books for that event and they sold quickly. He then got his copy from behind the desk to use as display for back orders. In a small town such as the one that I live in, a first time author doing that well is a boon to the author's reputation. Also, at that event his manager told me that she had read Weapons of Light and enjoyed it very much. I was humbled and blessed by her comment.

Back to this past Thursday, I mentioned to the owner that I had signings in a neighboring city at Border's the 15th of November and possible one at B&N in Jan--but that I thought a spring signing for his store would be a good repeat time for a Weapons of Light event. He agreed.

After I returned home, I remembered that Weapons of Light has a very compelling Easter sermon near the dramatic ending. I was so blessed, because I can alert my Tate marketing rep to set the date the week or so before Easter, and I can use the Holiday as a great Easter gift idea, promotion tool. And I'm sure that the store will probably follow up on the idea.

Write on!

One More Time

I love to write. Yet, when it comes to blogging, my muse can fail me. However, I'm going to try one more time. This will be my third attempt with google blog. Why, again? Motivation is, well, a strong motivator.

The word occasional in my blog title seemed most appropriate, since I am rarely inspired with subject matter for daily blog entrance. However, I'm sure now, with the new motivation, there will be some need to ccomment more often.

Once upon a time, blogging wasn't that difficult for me. I always had much to say and seemed to be able to find things of interest to blog about and humorous things to comment on, pertaining to my writing or everyday experiences.

I don't know what happened--perhaps my lack of inspiration was due to a recent major change in my lifestyle, or the lack of having a person to be in love with. Who knows? The desire to blog is present, but the topics are lacking. Could it be maybe, that all subjects are covered in the blogging world?

My last attempt at blogging, believe it or not, produced stress. Yes, stress! I felt guilty because I wasn't updating my blog as I see the really interesting (in my opinion) bloggers do, some on a daily basis. Humm . . . not good. Of course not good--because a writer should never compare themselves to other writers, it only leads to disappointment in oneself. Writers should be their own unique selves! And with that uniqueness they will find their audience.

So, having said all that, I'll end this first entry with the promise that occasionally, I will update my blog! Stay tuned.