Identifying Your Audience

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:41:50 GMT

Current Revision posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 7/16/2025 8:41:50 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books.

In this webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing advisor Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

• Research your genre and define layers of readers for your book
• Identify bloggers and reviewers who are reaching your intended audience
• Select successful/role model authors and imprints as gateway influencers
• Plan social media content, print/online ads, text teasers, video trailers, etc.
• Schedule networking and outreach efforts for pre/during/post-launch, to foster effective engagement and build momentum
• Determine ongoing connection channels: social media, blog, Substacks, website, newsletter, Wattpad, Goodreads, Bookmory, Book2Look, serial releases, etc.
• Create subscription/member/follower/Patreon perks and rewards: first notice new releases, special discounts, giveaways, events, exclusive content unlocked for VIP, etc.

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC_5F00_Audience-Development25.pdf
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers25.mp4
About the Presenter:
Author Connections (AC) has been serving a global roster of author and publisher clients since 2010. AC is devoted to editing and marketing excellent content for discerning readers. As former Director of Marketing & Sales for Kirkus Reviews, Beth worked with major houses and indie authors on book reviews and title campaigns for any size budget. Since launching Author Connections, Beth has worked on more than two hundred titles in fiction and nonfiction, adult and children’s books; many earning multiple marketplace awards and accolades. Beth is Advisor to the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA), a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and Author Connections has earned the coveted Seal of Excellence from the Association of Independent Authors (AiA). Beth’s own book, "Travels of an Independent Woman", is scheduled for September 2026.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:39:59 GMT

Revision 11 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 7/16/2025 8:39:59 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books.

In this webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing advisor Beth Kallman Werner coverS the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

How Fiction Authors Can Go Beyond Genre to Identify Their Target Audience

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:35:55 GMT

Current Revision posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 4/17/2025 12:35:55 PM

Identifying your target reader can often be more challenging for fiction authors because your book's themes and messages might be a little more subtle than a nonfiction book. Book marketing advisor and Author Connections President Beth Kallman Werner recommends that fiction authors look beyond just their book's primary genre to understand who you are trying to reach. For example, if you've written a romance novel, is it a thriller romance, young adult romance, paranormal romance, or erotica? Each of these subgenres target very different audiences. For fiction authors, it's important to dig deeper into your characters' situations, plot, and writer voice when determining the type of reader you are targeting.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowFictionAuthorsCanGoBeyondGenre.mp4

Tags: fiction, video

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:31:12 GMT

Revision 10 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 4/17/2025 12:31:12 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books. In this recorded webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing expert Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

• Researching your genre and defining layers of readers for your book
• Identifying bloggers and reviewers reaching your intended audience
• Selecting successful/role model authors and imprints as influencers
• Planning social media content, print/online ads, text teasers, video trailers, chapter samples as collateral to attract attention
• Scheduling networking and outreach efforts for pre/during/post-launch for effective engagement and momentum
• Determining ongoing connection channels: social media, blog, website, newsletter, Wattpad, Book2Look, serial releases, etc. to keep readers in the loop and engaged between book releases
• Creating subscription/member/follower rewards: first notice new releases, discounts, giveaways, events, special content unlocked for VIP

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout-_2D00_-Audience-Development22_5F00_Werner.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers22.mp4

About the Presenter:
Author Connections (AC) has been serving a global roster of author and publisher clients since 2010. AC is devoted to editing and marketing excellent content for discerning readers. As former Director of Marketing & Sales for Kirkus Reviews, Beth worked with major houses and indie authors on book reviews and title campaigns for any size budget. Since launching Author Connections, Beth has worked on more than two hundred titles in fiction and nonfiction, adult and children’s books; many earning multiple marketplace awards and accolades. Beth is Advisor to the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA), a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and Author Connections has earned the coveted Seal of Excellence from the Association of Independent Authors (AiA). Beth’s own book, "Travels of an Independent Woman", is scheduled for September 2026. For more information on Author Connections and the services offered, visit https://authorconnections.com/.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:31:02 GMT

Revision 9 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 4/17/2025 12:31:02 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books. In this recorded webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing expert Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout-_2D00_-Audience-Development22_5F00_Werner.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers22.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

How Nonfiction Authors Can Use the “Four Ps” to Identify Their Target Audience

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:05:08 GMT

Current Revision posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 4/17/2025 12:05:08 PM

Because nonfiction authors typically focus on a specific topic or area of expertise in their books, it helps to clarify the type of reader they are targeting. If you are struggling to identify and reach your target audience with your nonfiction book, marketing advisor and Author Connections President Beth Kallman Werner recommends going back to the "4 Ps" of product marketing - product, price, position, and promotion. Asking yourself questions like, "Who is my book for?" and "Why am I writing this book?" can help focus in on your target reader..

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowNonfictionAuthorsCanUsetheFourPs.mp4

Tags: Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Assessing Your Target Audience at the Beginning of the Writing Process

John Andrade — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:40:23 GMT

Current Revision posted to Identifying Your Audience by John Andrade on 12/8/2023 5:40:23 PM

Many authors don't consider their target readers until after they've written and published their book. This makes creating awareness for your work and building a readership much more difficult. Nelson Books Senior Marketing Director John Andrade strongly encourages authors to think about whom you are writing for, what their needs are, and where can you reach them BEFORE you start writing. He believes if you spend even a little bit of time on answering these important marketing questions, it will make your manuscript better and easier to sell.

Andrade also wants authors to understand that you are really a writer, a marketer, AND a sales person wrapped into one.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofAssessingYourTargetAudienceattheBeginningoftheWritingProcess.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Assessing Your Target Audience at the Beginning of the Writing Process

John Andrade — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:10:13 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Identifying Your Audience by John Andrade on 11/20/2023 9:10:13 PM

Many authors don't consider their target readers until after they've written and published their book. This makes creating awareness for your work and building a readership much more difficult. Nelson Books Senior Marketing Manager John Andrade strongly encourages authors to think about whom you are writing for, what their needs are, and where can you reach them BEFORE you start writing. He believes if you spend even a little bit of time on answering these important marketing questions, it will make your manuscript better and easier to sell.

Andrade also wants authors to understand that you are really a writer, a marketer, AND a sales person wrapped into one.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofAssessingYourTargetAudienceattheBeginningoftheWritingProcess.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Assessing Your Target Audience at the Beginning of the Writing Process

Author Learning Center — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:09:08 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Author Learning Center on 11/20/2023 9:09:08 PM

Many authors don't consider their target readers until after they've written and published their book. This makes creating awareness for your work and building a readership much more difficult. Nelson Books Senior Marketing Manager John Andrade strongly encourages authors to think about whom you are writing for, what their needs are, and where can you reach them BEFORE you start writing. He believes if you spend even a little bit of time on answering these important marketing questions, it will make your manuscript better and easier to sell.

Andrade also wants authors to understand that you are really a writer, a marketer, AND a sales person wrapped into one.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofAssessingYourTargetAudienceattheBeginningoftheWritingProcess.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Assessing Your Target Audience at the Beginning of the Writing Process

John Andrade — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:11:33 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Identifying Your Audience by John Andrade on 11/20/2023 7:11:33 PM

Many authors don't consider their target readers until after they've written and published their book. This makes creating awareness for your work and building a readership much more difficult. Nelson Books Senior Marketing Manager John Andrade strongly encourages authors to think about whom you are writing for, what their needs are, and where can you reach them BEFORE you start writing. He believes if you spend even a little bit of time on answering these important marketing questions, it will make your manuscript better and easier to sell.

Andrade also wants authors understand that you are really a writer, a marketer, AND a sales person wrapped into one.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofAssessingYourTargetAudienceattheBeginningoftheWritingProcess.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

The Importance of Assessing Your Target Audience at the Beginning of the Writing Process

John Andrade — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:27:47 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Identifying Your Audience by John Andrade on 11/20/2023 3:27:47 PM

Nelson Books Senior Marketing Manager John Andrade discusses the importance of knowing who you are writing for and how you can reach them before you start writing.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofAssessingYourTargetAudienceattheBeginningoftheWritingProcess.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Understanding the “Persona” of Your Target Readers and How to Reach Them

Lakisha Baker — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 17:09:20 GMT

Current Revision posted to Identifying Your Audience by Lakisha Baker on 9/30/2022 5:09:20 PM

Per author and book coach, Lakisha Baker, authors need to create the “persona” of the reader they hope to reach with their book. Pretend your target reader is sitting across from you – what are their demographics, pain points, psychographics? Where do they hangout online? Do they belong to any clubs or organizations? Once you understand these details about your target reader, you can use that information to fine tune your marketing promotions and strategies. In addition, Baker strongly recommends having an author website that you can point readers to and that allows readers to also find you organically online.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../UnderstandingthePersonaofYourTargetReadersandHowtoReachThem.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Understanding the “Persona” of Your Target Readers and How to Reach Them

Lakisha Baker — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 16:31:46 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Lakisha Baker on 9/30/2022 4:31:46 PM

Per author and book coach, Lakisha Baker, authors need to create the “persona” of the reader they hope to reach with their book. Pretend your target reader is sitting across from you – what are his or her demographics, pain points, psychographics? Where do they hangout online? Do they belong to any clubs or organizations? Once you understand these details about your target reader, you can use that information to fine tune your marketing promotions and strategies. In addition, Baker strongly recommends having an author website that you can point readers to and that allows readers to also find you organically online.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../UnderstandingthePersonaofYourTargetReadersandHowtoReachThem.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:37:00 GMT

Revision 8 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 8/11/2022 1:37:00 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books. In this recorded webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing expert Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout-_2D00_-Audience-Development22_5F00_Werner.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers22.mp4

About the Presenter:
Author Connections (AC) has been serving a global roster of clients since 2010; including publishers, authors, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. AC is devoted to editing and marketing excellent content for discerning readers. As the former Director of Marketing & Sales for Kirkus Reviews, Beth Kallman Werner worked with major houses and indie authors on book reviews and title campaigns for any size budget. In 2018, Beth published a literary nonfiction collection of short stories called Real Women’s Stories. Her own book, Travels of an Independent Woman, is scheduled for Summer 2023.

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:36:37 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 8/11/2022 1:36:37 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books. In this recorded webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing expert Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout-_2D00_-Audience-Development22_5F00_Werner.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers22.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

Audience Development for Indie Authors and Publishers

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:34:29 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 8/11/2022 1:34:29 PM

As much as you’d like it to be, your book is not for everyone. While some books may appeal to many types of readers, most books appeal to only select audiences. As an indie or self-published author, identifying and reaching your specific readers is key to selling books. In this recorded webinar session, Author Connections President and book marketing expert Beth Kallman Werner covers the following steps for developing and reaching your book’s audience:

Here is the handout referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout-_2D00_-Audience-Development22_5F00_Werner.pdf

Here is the handout that is referenced in the session:
www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Audience-Development-ALC-Handout.pdf

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../AudienceDevelopmentforIndieAuthorsandPublishers22.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, Recorded Webinar

How Fiction Authors Can Go Beyond Genre to Identify Their Target Audience

Beth Kallman Werner — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:13:03 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 1/15/2021 3:13:03 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowFictionAuthorsCanGoBeyondGenre.mp4

Tags: fiction, video

How Fiction Authors Can Go Beyond Genre to Identify Their Target Audience

Beth Kallman Werner — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:12:42 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 1/15/2021 3:12:42 PM

Identifying your target reader can often be more challenging for fiction authors because your book's themes and messages might be a little more subtle then a nonfiction book. Book marketing advisor and Author Connections President Beth Kallman Werner recommends that fiction authors look beyond just their book's primary genre to understand who you are trying to reach. For example, if you've written a romance novel, is it a thriller romance, young adult romance, paranormal romance, or erotica? Each of these subgenres target very different audiences. For fiction authors, it's important to dig deeper into your characters' situations, plot, and writer voice when determining the type of reader you are targeting.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowFictionAuthorsCanGoBeyondGenre.mp4

Tags: fiction, video

How Nonfiction Authors Can Use the “Four Ps” to Identify Their Target Audience

Beth Kallman Werner — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:08:42 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 1/15/2021 3:08:42 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowNonfictionAuthorsCanUsetheFourPs.mp4

Tags: Nonfiction, video

How Nonfiction Authors Can Use the “Four Ps” to Identify Their Target Audience

Beth Kallman Werner — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 22:19:34 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Identifying Your Audience by Beth Kallman Werner on 1/14/2021 10:19:34 PM

Book marketing advisor Beth Kallman Werner explains what the "4 Ps" are and how they apply to finding your nonfiction readers.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowNonfictionAuthorsCanUsetheFourPs.mp4

Tags: Nonfiction, video