Mastering Audience Building as a Writer: Strategies and Tips

Thanks for the 'Ask Me Anything' chance to dive deep into building an audience as a writer. The keys to growing your readership lie in specializing, sharing more, and sharing better. Specialization is the foundation of an effective audience strategy: just as a rap star sticks to rap, so should a writer be known for a genre or topic they excel in. This helps in establishing a unique identity and a loyal fanbase.

Share More and Better

The journey to building an audience involves two major components: sharing more and sharing better. Sharing more is about reaching as many people as possible. Find where your targeted audience spends time, whether that's forums, universities, clubs, subreddits, or social media groups, and post your content in these places. Always be mindful of not spamming the community. Sharing better is more challenging. It involves refining your writing and presentation methods to resonate more deeply with your audience. You may need to diversify your approach, reassess your audience, or even rethink your content focus.

Attracting Attention

Once you have a substantial amount of content, the next step is to ensure it is seen. Writers often face the challenge of being seen and appreciated. Writing well is the bedrock of your career; that doesn't mean it is the only thing you need to focus on. A significant part of a writer's role is promoting their work. The phrase "just write really well" can be oversimplified and doesn't address the crucial aspect of finding and engaging an audience.

Establishing an Online Presence

Create a website optimized for search engines (SEO). A good website that is easy to find will make it simpler for people to discover your work. Optimize your content with relevant keywords and use platforms like Google to refine your SEO strategy. Engage with your readers through social media by posting opinions, thoughts, and reactions to your work. Highlight yourself as a brand and bring your personality to the forefront. If you are photogenic, leverage your visual presence to increase visibility.

Fostering a Community

Building a loyal community around your work is also vital. Encourage reader interaction and consider giving them a collective identity, like a nickname, to foster a sense of belonging. Share fanart and exclusive content like sneak peeks to keep the engagement high. If your work is niche, reach out to communities that cater to that specific content. For larger genres, you can still find audiences within dedicated fan communities or attend literary events to connect directly with readers. Leverage visual elements like illustrations to make your work stand out. A compelling cover design or illustrations can significantly impact how people perceive your work.

Conclusion

The process of building an audience as a writer is complex and multifaceted. While writing great content is essential, it's also important to develop a robust promotion strategy. Focus on specialization, share more while also sharing better, build an online presence, and foster a community. With persistence and these strategic approaches, you can build a loyal and appreciative fanbase.