wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /srv/users/sandra/apps/sandra/public/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114Last week, I participated in an American Society of Journalists and Authors<\/a> panel about how writers can develop diversified income streams.<\/p>\n When I talked about my work supporting authors with Build Book Buzz, I offered advice to those hoping to do something similar. I stressed how important it is to know as much as possible about your audience so you can give them what they need and want.<\/p>\n As I talked about how I learn as much as I can about what interests you, it occurred to me that my author research compares to your reader research.<\/p>\n Just as I need to know what you want in blog and training content from me, you need to know what your readers want in the types of books that you write.<\/p>\n If you write fiction, you must understand what readers expect and look for in your genre.<\/p>\n Nonfiction authors need to know what knowledge gaps they can fill.<\/p>\n Knowing what your readers want, and delivering it in a high-quality package, is what generates the good word-of-mouth marketing that’s so essential to author and book success.<\/p>\n [novashare_tweet tweet=”Knowing what your readers want, and delivering it in a high-quality package, is what generates the good word-of-mouth marketing that’s so essential to author and book success.” hide_hashtags=”true”]<\/p>\n Here are three ways you can learn more about what your readers want.<\/p>\n Start by joining as many online groups related to your genre or topic as possible. (You can also start your own group.)<\/p>\n You can find a Facebook group<\/a> for many book genres and categories. Write steampunk? Here’s your group.<\/a> Are you a poet? The Facebook Poetry Society group<\/a> has more than 83,000 members. Mystery readers and writers have The Mystery Readers Book Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n To find the groups for your genre, type “[genre] readers group” into the Facebook search box.<\/p>\n If you write nonfiction, search for your topic plus the word “group.”<\/p>\n Let’s say you’re a time management expert, so that’s what you write about. You’ll want to join the Habits, Productivity, And Time Management group<\/a>. Do you write about parenting toddlers? Check out the Moms and Dads of Toddlers group<\/a> with its 24,000 members.<\/p>\n There are also groups for certain nonfiction topics on LinkedIn; many professional associations host groups, as well.<\/p>\n Is your audience using Clubhouse? Look for groups there, too.<\/p>\n Set aside time every day to scroll through discussions to learn what people are talking about.<\/p>\n You don’t even need to contribute. Just read and learn. And do it some more.<\/p>\n With fiction, pay attention to what readers say about what they do and don’t like in a book or author. Not enough of “this?” Too much of “that?” Use this input to help refine your book’s content.<\/p>\n Nonfiction authors, note what your audience is asking questions about. What do they need to learn? What confuses them? The more you know about where they’re at with a topic, the better able you will be to give them what they need in your books and other content you create.<\/p>\n Surveying your audience works best if you already have a way to reach them. That might be through your email list and newsletter, the email lists of author friends who write for the same audience as you, the online groups you belong to, and your social network connections.<\/p>\n Before posting a link to a survey in a group, though, check the group’s rules or contact the moderator to make sure it’s allowed.<\/p>\n Free survey tools include:<\/p>\n What you’ll ask will depend on what you want to know.<\/p>\n Here’s an approach to consider for fiction:<\/p>\n That’s just one idea. Ask the questions that will get you the information you need.<\/p>\n When it comes to nonfiction, consider crafting questions that will help you better understand what your target audience<\/a> needs in content from someone with your expertise.<\/p>\n You might want to know, for example, how they consume information on your topic outside of books. Would they rather watch a video than read a blog post, for example? Do they prefer to learn from a podcast? Again, it all depends on what you need to know to give them what they want to learn.<\/p>\n Whenever you get the chance, talk to readers. Then listen. And listen some more.<\/p>\nKnowing what your readers want makes a difference<\/h2>\n
1. Online group conversations<\/h2>\n
How to use groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Survey readers<\/h2>\n
\n
What to ask<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
3. Talk to readers<\/h2>\n