In a few recent conversations with writers and authors, when I have asked the question, “Who is your ideal reader?”, I have gotten responses such as, “my book is really for everyone” or “everyone can get something from my book”.
In this week’s Tuesday Minute Book Marketing Tip, I give a clearer vision of how you should be thinking about your ideal reader.
Now anyone who knows me well, knows I adore bookstores. So this post in no way is intended to say that bookstores aren’t a good place to have a book signing. However, you may wish to add a few non traditional places to your book campaign efforts.
These new places could draw in new readers where you may not have initially thought to look. And in turn, you create a way for your potential readers to find you and your book in a place they hadn’t thought of either but are happy you were there with your book.
Here are a few places to think about having a book signing:
1) Shoe store – Perhaps your book is about shoes. Or perhaps you have a book geared toward women who love shoes. And there is always the fact that we all do need shoes.
2) Bank – Have you written a finance or budget book? Or maybe your book is about saving money? Well, what better place to celebrate money then at a bank.
3) Spa- We all enjoy a great place to put our feet up and relax so how about have a gathering a place where the people can have a concentrated and energetic conversation about your book.
Think about those places where your ideal reader may shop and be there. Call the store and ask the manager if having a book signing at their store would be something they would be interested in doing. You can share with the manager about your intention to promote the book signing online and off line. Share with the manager how you will be willing to add an event page on your Facebook page to tell your FB friends about the book signing. Also, ask the manager if you create quarter page or half page flyers about the book signing, if they would allow the sales personnel to put one in each customer’s check out bags. (The manager may say no, but it doesn’t cost anything to ask).
Now, do I have your creative juices flowing about where you might be able to have a book signing?
So…
How about…. a wine store, home improvement store, office supply place, or perhaps a pet store?
Go and think of those places you can have a book signing to spread the message of your books and (*hopefully sell more books!)
As a reader yourself, there are certain things you expect from other authors you love. For you, as a author, you must be aware of what your readers are seeking to know and want to get from you.
1) Ask questions- Always think about your ideal reader. Think about what they are looking for from you as the author. Listen to your reader. Ask questions of their needs and wants. And then deliver on what they tell you.
2) Become Your Reader- Take the time to go through your own purchasing or service cycle. This will give you first hand account of those places where you can tweak, adjust and make the customer experience better and thus make your reader happier.
3) Celebrate your Readers- Take a sincere interest in your readers. Be there by sharing with them. Also, take the time to show your readers you appreciate them. When you gain a new client, find your own special way to say thank you.
4) Deliver the Extras-Provide the “something more” no one else is doing. Take the time to think about what the “something more” (without breaking the bank) could be for your book and do it! You will reap the rewards in the end.
5) Execute Consistency Customer Service- Don’t do something special for one reader and not others. Keep the standard of customer service at a high level for every reader. You have heard it before but it deserves to be repeated—Customers (especially readers) talk with other people when they receive bad AND good service.
Be mindful of your readers. Take the time to find ways you can boost the customer service for your readers. By providing these customer service pieces for your readers, you will have an increased rate of excited readers, which creates more new readers.