Where Are Your Readers?

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You know what I'm talking about. The mythical readers. You're unable to believe stats of 20 million e-readers out there there because the sales of your book don't seem to reflect there are any e-readers in the world. First, the prep talk. Take this to heart.
1. It takes me an average of six years to find the latest greatest author of my heart. I did not find Jim Butcher or Kim Harrison until they were on their 6th or 7th book of their respective series. I did not find Atlas Shrugged until twenty-five years after the author died. I did not realize Konrath lived until his two hundred and twelfth book. Okay, yes, Konrath doesn't have that many books--yet (I think). But he's on his way!  

2. There are 3,000 e-books uploaded to kindle every month/day -- something like that. So, give your readers some time to catch-up!

3. Readers may not find you first. You may have to reach out and grab them before they know they love you.

So now you're going to ask me--how do I reach out and grab them?

Well, if I came out and said it you'd laugh at me. I am going to blurt it, but you're still going to laugh. Ready?

Email lists.

go ahead...laugh...I'll wait. But your curiosity is going to get the better of you.

You see, my author Facebook site is actually a hub. No it's not terribly active. I don't have beautiful pictures of all the great places I'm visiting because I'm right here at my desk, writing to you on how to get more readers. But I do spend maybe $40 a month on Facebook getting more people on my email list.

It's simple. I give them a free story, they give me an email. I tell them if they like my stories, here they are. 99 cents is a good price for my shorty-shorts. I get fan mail. I connect with my fans--they actually have my email and I respond to everyone.

Brian Moran would shake his head at me and tell me to do it for free and not buy ads, but I'm a busy writer and have to expedite my time.

But I'm here to tell you the email plan works. Build your list, find your fans and write!

Here's the 1,2,3 if you don't understand how to gain people.

1. Have an author page. You want more than 2,000 fans right? So don't limit yourself to the personal 2,000 limit. Plus you need widgets to put on your page.
2. Get set up with an email list manager. MailChimp, A-weber, Constant Contact--anything that will help manage your list. I use MailChimp because it's easy.
3. Put up a Facebook ad. Get a good picture, offer something for free and connect that free something in exchange for an email.

That's it. Then you can scrub your email list with people who really love you vs. those that are just one time curious. Real fans will emerge. Offer people something and they will come back.

 

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