Strategies for Building a Reader Fandom

Oct 22, 2024

Building a Fandom: Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Focus on building a fandom and marketing yourself as much as your books
  • Importance of managing fans and achieving a winning mindset
  • Speaker's background in paranormal, reverse harem romance, dark fantasy, and more

Personal Journey

  • Laid off from a behavioral health job in 2020
  • Debut series "Emerald Lakes" was successful
  • Published five books in a year, making significant income
  • Won the SPF Foundation grant to support writing endeavors

Success and Growth

  • Significant revenue growth from book sales and Audible
  • Successful Kickstarter campaign
  • Importance of reader loyalty and building a strong fan base

Creating a Memorable Fandom

  • Craft relatable characters that connect emotionally with readers
  • Provide merchandise and exclusive content
  • Use social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram
  • Engage fans through newsletters, book signings, and reader groups

Branding and Interaction

  • Branding is more than logos; involves personal connection and maintaining a consistent persona
  • Importance of protecting mental health and setting boundaries
  • Avoiding social media drama, staying true to your image

Building and Engaging a Community

  • Facebook reader groups as a key tool for engagement
  • Offering exclusive content and experiences
  • Use of merchandise to bolster fan engagement

Mindset and Personal Growth

  • Importance of mindset in achieving success
  • Speaker's personal growth journey and self-acceptance
  • Encouragement to stay true to oneself and find a supportive community

Practical Advice

  • Engage with fans regularly but avoid overwhelming yourself
  • Utilize newsletters and social media to maintain contact
  • Open a group early to create a space for potential fans

Q&A Highlights

  • Printing books locally helps to save on shipping
  • Using platforms like Alibaba for merchandise
  • Balance between personal storytelling and managing reader expectations
  • Building a fandom as a new author through strategic marketing and engagement

Conclusion

  • Encouragement for aspiring authors to believe in themselves
  • Opportunities for further learning and personal coaching

These notes summarize the key points and strategies discussed in the lecture on building a fandom. They provide a framework for authors to engage with their audience and grow their reader base effectively.