Do You Know Your Reader? You’d Better If You Want Your Book to Really Make an Impact

One of the most naive claims of novice nonfiction writers is that their target readership is “everybody.”

Frankly, that makes publishers laugh.

And the more you insist you’re writing to men and women, boy and girls, kids to senior citizens, atheists to people of faith, liberals to conservatives, from sea to shining sea, the less likely publishers are to buy.

Why?

Because it’s unrealistic.

Publishers look for books aimed at specific, niche markets, not nebulous clouds of potential readers.

That said, those same publishers urge authors to think masses rather than individuals. In other words, why write to doctors when you can write to their patients? Why write to teachers when you can write to their students? Why write to pastors when you can write to their parishioners?

Publishers naturally want to sell as many books as possible—and so should you. Once you have determined your readership, it only makes sense to write to the largest representation of that group.

How to Find Your Target Reader

Determine your target readership before you write your first word. Who you’re writing to is as important as what you intend to say.

Follow these steps:

Zero in on your demographic. Who most likely needs your book? What age? Gender? Lifestyle? Religion? Nail down as many as you can.
Imagine one person who perfectly fits that description. Is it a friend, a loved one, your mother, another relative?
Write specifically to that person. Readers want to feel as if they are being addressed individually. Avoid phrases like “Some of you…” or “Many of you…” Rather, always address the reader simply as “You.” That makes and keeps your book personal and gives your manuscript the best chance with a publisher.

When you know the pains, needs, and wants of your readership and are able to deliver on your promise to meet those needs, you go from writer to author.

Tell me in the Comments below who your reader is and what you plan to tell them.

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