How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?

As an author, you want to create an audience of readers or shall I say, “fans.”

How do you do this?

Let’s look at one person who is a genius, and has created a huge tribe of fans: Chris Guillebeau. 

In my opinion Chris is likeable, down-to-earth, approachable, giving, innovative, extremely interesting and he’s tapped into a dream that so many of us have: to leave our cubicle job and follow something we’re passionate about.  Carol Bodensteiner did that as well.

So how can you find readers and turn them into your fans? I believe there are many ways you can do this:

Through your core message, and your personality. What is the main thing you want people to know about you?
Can you help your fans in one way or another? As an author, does your story motivate people, inspire them to change, or give them step-by-step tips on a specific topic?
Does your blog offer some “killer” content your fans are dying to read?
Ask your fans to sign your guest book during your book events.
Collect e-mails when fans sign up for the raffle.
Ask fans to “like”   your Facebook page.
Start connecting with your Twitter fans.
Connect with your fans on LinkedIn.
Meet real people through networking, not  just online fans.
Your Book Club events.
Your Library events.
Your Meetup Group events.
The Clubs you speak at like: Rotary clubs, women’s clubs, writers’ clubs etc.
Through giving a FREE GIFT and asking people to subscribe in exchange.

But here’s the dilemma. What do your readers, fans, subscribers want to know?

When I read newsletters, many of them are requests to sign up for a webinar or a course, which I have to pay for, and how I’ll miss out big time, if I don’t.

So how do you make your newsletter fresh, exciting and different? Should you include the usual:

Links to recent blog posts
Lists of your upcoming events or workshops
Photos of you at your events
Other books you’re working on
Your videos and podcasts

Do your readers want:

Something new and different or the same?

Most of us receive tons of e-mails, newsletters, requests, etc., and

I believe readers want to know something about the author, his/her life, writing, goals, travels etc. 

So why not ask your readers directly?

What do you want to know about me?

I’ve collected e-mail addresses for months, but have not plucked up the courage to send out a newsletter. My dilemma is what to put in a newsletter that one of my kind fans signed up for?

I shall give a free copy of my book to anyone who asks me an interesting question with links back to them in an upcoming newsletter.

You can either ask your question in the comment section below, or e-mail me at sonia@soniamarsh.com. Thanks so much and please comment on your own experiences with newsletters you write or receive.

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Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®.” Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

Please read and share our April 2013 stories by Win Charles, and Carol Bodensteiner.

Voting starts on May 2nd-May 15th.

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