WildFire Marketing Newsletter: Keep Books in Your Reader's Mind

hen was the last time you contacted your entire reader base? You do keep a growing database, right? It only takes a few months for most people to forget that your books exist and search for another author to help them. You can't grow your platform if you don't stay in regular communication with your audience. Regardless of whether you write fiction or non-fiction, there are several ways to keep readers focused on you. Consider these five helpful strategies:

1. Send Regular Newsletters
Junk email floods the average Inbox, so print newsletters tend to be more effective. But, use both print and email to extend your reach. Keep articles brief and make the content 75% audience-focused and 25% sales-focused. Quote other sources if you need new ideas. Send your newsletters at least once a quarter, if not monthly.

2. Personal Contact
Trust is best built through relationships. Take time to reach influential leaders and readers with a phone call, email, or hand-signed letter. Get out of the office and invite people to meet you for lunch or coffee. Monitor their industry and become a source of information. Don't focus on selling your book, rather concentrate on understanding their life and needs. They'll be more inclined to purchase your book or hire you to speak if they feel like you care.

3. Send Items of Value
People respond when you give them something of value. For example, offer coupons on a regular basis. Send a thank-you gift after a speaking event to meeting planners. Mail an interesting book or article to prospects. Organize a contest and encourage your audience to participate. It doesn't need to be expensive, just recurring.

4. Trade Show Meetings
If you know where your audience congregates, meet them there. Attend a conference and host a get-together, sponsor an event, teach a workshop, conduct a book-signing, or network with the attendees. Face-to-face time is the best way to stay connected with readers.

5. Ask for Help
Solicit genuine support from your reading audience by asking for their opinion on your book's message. Create surveys, polls, or request reviews of your products. Ask a select group to give input into an article or new book you're writing. Create ways to make it comfortable for your audience to exchange information. Doing so builds a stronger bond.

You risk little to over-communicate, but you risk a lot if you under-communicate. If you're an author, absence does not make the heart grow fonder. Stay in contact with your readers, and you'll stay on their mind - especially when they're ready to buy a book or tell a friend.