Online Book Promotion: Knowing your Target Market (Your Ideal Reader)

The idea of a target is relevant in many areas of life….especially in sports.

A football team has the target…the touchdown. The soccer team has the goal. The tennis player has the lines.

As a writer and author, you have a target as well…your readers. Your target is to share your message with your readers.

Here is the question: Who is your reader?

Your first reaction may be to say, “Everyone will benefit from my book”. Although this may be true in some cases, this does not allow you to properly put forth your book promotion efforts effectively if you are trying to go after everyone who might, by chance, read your book.

You want to be in front of and share your message with your target reader. The person who has been searching and longing to read your book.

The next question: How do you identify your ideal reader?

Before your book comes out and in fact, while you are writing your book, you should be able to identify your reader.

*Who is this person wanting your book?
*What do they enjoy doing?
*Why are they wanting to read your book?
*Would they prefer if your book was longer or shorter?
*Do they like to listen to their books too? (this will allow you to know if it is a good idea to produce a audio version of your book)
*Are they computer/technology savvy? If so, they may be more interested in having the book on e-reading device?

And another question: Where do you find and get to know your ideal reader?

Now is the time to connect with your ideal reader…while you are writing the book. There are a few ways to find and connect with your readers.

* Ask your fellow writers what groups and clubs they may be a part of to find out if they are aligned with your book
* If you are on LinkedIn, you can search in the groups area to find readers who love your genre of writing.
*There are readers communities online such as GoodReads, LibraryThing and Shelfari where readers gather to talk about the books they are reading and want to read.

By identifying, analyzing and connecting with your ideal reader, you are streamlining your online book promotion efforts because you are not trying to get in front of the world to let them know about your book. You are spending your time and energy placing yourself and your book in touch with those people who will understand, embrace and want to know more about you and your book.

Do you know your ideal reader?