Best Places to Find Readers for the Books You Write

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

In today’s publishing world, we have to do more promotion for our books. But whom should we be trying to reach? Readers, of course. Okay, you knew that. But exactly who are these readers?


A lot of them are writers. Writers are voracious readers.

• Book club members. Book clubs are growing around the world.
• Senior citizens; they have more time now.
• Women (they buy 80% of all books)

Where do we find them? Social Media. Websites for readers. Writer’s associations. Local civic clubs/groups. 

Social Media

Twitter and Facebook are my favorites, because I see an increase in followers each time I post. While I'm more familiar with Facebook (aren't we all?), I dislike the algorithm they use to decide who sees my post. I can choose which circles see my post or choose public. I like that aspect. Somethings I post I want to go to friends, others to Authors or Public. I have control. Always use proper social media etiquette and promote others twice as much as you do yourself. I’ve started adding Instagram to my marketing and reach a younger demographic.

Websites for Readers

There are several, but my favorites are Facebook and Goodreads. Both are for readers, not writers. It's a great place to find readers. I've picked up a few book clubs and a lot of reviews from giveaways there.

Writer’s Associations

If you carefully choose the authors whose blogs you ask to add to your blog tour, you can gain readers. Here's the deal: I write women's fiction. Ronie Kendig, while a dear friend, writes military thrillers. I won't glean many readers from among her fans. I try to stick to women's fiction and romance authors’ sites. 

Yeah, I hear you shouting that you read all kinds of genres, but before you use me for an archery practice target, hear me out. We only have so many hours for marketing. Are you going to aim at a site with a few thousand readers of your genre (we pick up about 3-7% of those readers) or a site where you might only realize one or two new readers? Yeah, I thought so. Target your social media and your blog tour.

Senior citizens

Here's an entire generation who reads. Target them through websites, churches, service clubs (like Kiwanis), libraries, senior centers, parks, and even the grocery store. 

A word for email/newsletter marketing

Email marketing is gaining ground. According to @PublishingPush on twitter, "For every $1 spent, $44.25 is the average return on email marketing investment." 

Remember though, if you do an email newsletter, use a service like MailChimp. I use my website host, who offers that service. Several offer free newsletters to up to 2,000 recipients before they charge you. These services offer instant opt outs for the recipient. At every event where you speak or do a book signing, have a newsletter sign-up sheet, because it's illegal to send newsletters without permission and an opt-out.

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While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, award-winning author Ane Mulligan has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, and bestselling novelist. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Ane resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a lovable, goofy dog. You can find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Featured Image: Photo by Fallon Michael on Unsplash