If your biggest fans aren’t authors themselves, there’s a good chance they have no idea how much you need their help to spread the word about your work. So why not tell them? I created the “buzz” page on my website. It lists easy ways to spread the word about my novels, and anytime I interact with fans on a personal level, I ask them to check out that page.
Fans are happy to help you if you tell them how!
Here are some examples:
1) My newsletter: Anytime someone signs up for my monthly newsletter, I reply with a personal note asking why they chose to do so. Many are aspiring authors looking for writing and marketing advice, but just as many say they signed up because they love my books. If they’re fans, I tell them how important word-of-mouth is and how much I would appreciate their help. For example, I suggest they post something about my books on Facebook, like my author page, or tweet @mariamurnane. It’s important to make it as easy as possible for your fans to take action.
2) Goodreads: When people begin to “follow” me on Goodreads I also send them a personal note and follow the same protocol as with the newsletter. Most people who follow me on Goodreads are voracious readers and love to share what they are reading with others. They also love hearing from authors!
3) Twitter: If I see that I have a new follower, I repeat the same protocol mentioned above. My Twitter followers are mix of writers and readers, and they always appreciate a personal tweet.
You’d be surprised how happy your readers will be to hear from you – and how willing they are to help you if you tell them you need help. The key is to give them the tools they need, which is why a buzz page is great.
-Maria
This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2014 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
