Identifying the people who are most likely to become your readers should always be a top priority as you begin to market your book(s). It lays the groundwork for your marketing strategy and determines how you connect with your target audience. It can also be used to predict the success of a new release. Here’s how to learn how to identify your readership.

Research

You need to understand the process of collecting consumer insights to make the most of the research phase. These will instruct you on who is most inclined to buy and why. Understanding their motivation allows you to develop higher-ranking content and create ads that convert.

Research provides insights into what your target audience is thinking. Find out what their goals are and then develop a strategy that helps them reach those goals. For example, does this type of reader like romance in what they read, or is this a dealbreaker for them? At this point, your attention should be on your readers, and not on your ROI.

Engagement

Building an online presence begins and ends with engagement. You need to develop real relationships with your followers prior to conversion. Engagement isn’t only about thanking someone for liking your post. It’s about making your ideal buyer part of the conversation, being genuine and having empathy for what they want. Social listening sheds light on what people are saying in groups, in blog comments and on social media platforms. It also lets you address any negative feelings in a way that builds trust.

The best way to do this is by creating buyer personas. Your focus should be on making predictions about your target audience’s preferences throughout the entire marketing funnel.

Define Your Message

Defining your brand’s message is ultimately one of the best ways to interact with your target audience. While that statement may have some people wondering why, the answer is simple. Defining your message allows you to segment your target audience even further. It also narrows down your chosen niche, pinpointing the type of consumer you want for a lifetime customer. Finally, it gives your target audience concrete reasons to listen, engage and want to know more.

When it comes down to it, the better you know your target readership, the easier it is to reach them on their own terms. As your insight continues to grow, you’ll be better equipped to tweak marketing campaigns to suit your audience’s needs and increase your sales.

TouchPoint Press is a traditional royalty paying publisher of fiction and nonfiction. If you have a manuscript, reach out to us today!