In this lesson, scroll to see the text, then a video and audio-only version, and PDF handouts at the bottom.

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If the audio starts playing automatically, use the right-hand vertical scrollbar to scroll down and turn off the audio or video.

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CONNECT

Marketing is ultimately about connections, so practice that in this class.

I encourage you to follow and friend each other and chat on the social media channels. Visit each other’s blogs and absorb what’s out there and what you like, and even what may not work for you.

With marketing, we connect to other people and signal by the words we use, who we are and what we stand for.

Key to branding and marketing anything, and of course, our books, is knowing who we are and who we are marketing to.

Part 1: WHO YOU ARE

Our brand is in our values, mission and passion. Review #16 and #17 in the Assessment and expand as necessary.

Go back and circle the words that stand out in and that you may repeat or repeat in synonyms.


 A brand is a promise of an experience. I also see it as an invitation into that experience.

Start brainstorming the experience you offer your readers or intend to offer your readers.

Part 2: YOUR READERS

We write to be read. We’re writing to readers who want something. They want to feel something, or many somethings. They desire a specific experience. Not just to escape, for example, but to escape in a specific way into a specific type of story.

We all have preferences, even if they are eclectic.

When you do this section, keep in mind you may have different groups of readers. Create a profile for each group, if that’s the case.

Overall, though, focus on one group.

Even if you don’t know who reads your books, make your best guess, and use yourself as a basis.

Focus/Genre:

Demographics

Gender:

Age range:

Married Status:

Location:

Salary:

Occupation:

Buying Habits:

Reads how many books per week/month:

Other statistical/measurables:

Psychographics

Needs:

Wants:

Hopes:

Fears:

Desires:

Other emotional/psychological factors:

Here's an example from what I write. This is a starting off point to get a feel for who my reader is.

Focus/Genre:

sweet paranormal romance (one of the genres I write)

Demographics

Gender: Female

Age range: 25-45

Married Status: single

Location: US/UK

Salary: low to middle range

Occupation: employee

Buying Habits: approx. 2-4 books/month; loves buying books

Reads how many books per week/month: 1-3 books/week

Other statistical/measurables: uses Twitter and Facebook

Psychographics

Needs: wants an escape into a world anything is possible

Wants: to fall in love again; to experience magic; adventure

Hopes: to find love for herself

Fears: being alone

Desires: to feel loved and love in return

Other emotional/psychological factors: ?

[this section updated: 6/2018]

Paint a Picture: Why Does Your ideal Reader Read Your Book

Directions: Give your ideal reader a name and write a journal entry from his/her point of view about why they reach for your book, specifically.

Jenny can't wait to finish her hum drum work day so she can relax in the bath and read the next Beth Barany romance mixed with mystery & magic. She wants to forget about the date that went bad and she wants to find love in between the pages of a fun to escape the boring job and jump into a wonderful light suspenseful read.

VIDEO

AUDIO-ONLY

Now your turn!

SHARE

Do Part 1: WHO YOU ARE and Part 2: YOUR READERS

Ask any questions you may have.

RETROGRAPHICS

(Thank you to author, Tamsen Kaye, for sharing this term with me.)

After you have noted your psychographics and demographics, and observed who your readers are in the real world, come back to your list, and revise your reader profile. Notice what's different from your guesses, and notice what you got right, too.