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Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number: 2459
Registered: 06-2002

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 07:36 am:

It's awful hard to target a core audience without a demographic study of your target. Since I'm extremely active in the motorcycling community I've considered trying to focus on the biker society because they're fiercely supportive of one another. The only problem is I don't know what their reading habits are. In all likelihood, mysteries would appeal to them but how much do they actually read? Our H.O.G. Chapter has an annual mystery ride and so I donate one copy of each of my books to be given away as door prizes and so far that's the extent of my thrust into this segment of the public.

Another thing I've been trying is to get some exposure in some of the touristy stores near where I live. This is a serious resort area and attracts a somewhat sophisticated crowd (There's a BIG sailboat at the marina named,"Against The Wind." It belongs to a guy with a gray beard and longish hair.) But most of the folks who come here on vacation don't come here to read. All I can do is pray for rain.

Has anybody here tried the "niche" market strategy?

Dennis Collins
Moderator
www.theunrealmccoy.com
http://theunrealmccoy.blogspot.com

Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number: 1995
Registered: 04-2002

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 07:54 am:

Dennis,

Even if they don't come there to read or read while they're there, they may read at other times. I rarely read on vacation, but if I found a book that interested me, especially if autographed by a local author, I would buy it. In port, people on sailboats might be on land a lot and not reading, but out in the middle of the ocean they might like reading.

I would think the biker society would be a good idea because you are involved with them and it is such a vast society that appears to be growing by leaps and bounds. Think of the distance they travel and each one of them that "hears" of you, buys your book or receives promotional material could pass it along to those at home. Every non-reader knows a reader or two.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of readers I have encountered lately. Years ago, it seemed I was the only reader in the world, but there are a lot of people from every walk of life, financial status, etc. that read.

A few years ago, I wanted to get together with some other writers belonging to the FWA and set up an exhibit booth at the Jacksonville Fair. It would have been a substantial investment for only me with no promise of return, but for several of us to go in together and at least hand out promotional info, I thought would be a good investment. Hundreds of thousands of people come to it each year. However, I was quickly told by the person in charge of the group that I shouldn't mention it or consider it since the type of people who go to the fair are a lower class people who don't read and certainly wouldn't buy books.

Shortly after that, I began to suspect I was running with the wrong crowd. It's bad enough when writers are snobbish/elitist about other writers, but we really can't afford to be snobbish/elitist about our readers.

Gloria
www.gloriamarlow.com
Flowers for Megan**Shades of Silence**The Butterfly Game

Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number: 2989
Registered: 04-2002

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 09:09 am:

Blogging is one of the best promotions a writer can do (or so I've read).

Bikers TODAY are readers because most bikers are people like you and Bill - older.

If you did a blog about bikes, bike trips and bike organizations and link it to books or stories two things will happen (1) you get invited to speak at groups (2) you gain an audience.

As they say - write about your passion - what you know.

http://www.perrycomer.com

Bill Nelson
Unity Member
Post Number: 2812
Registered: 10-2002

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 09:15 am:

WHAT!
Dennis, did he just call us old? I can't remember if he did or not?

Harry Simenon
Unity Member
Post Number: 1611
Registered: 10-2003

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 09:19 am:

I don't target a core audience. Is that bad?

Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number: 2990
Registered: 04-2002

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 09:39 am:

I could have stated a more exact truth but didn't - my wife refers to me as "that old fart" but, that's a term of endearment. She's off tonight with the girls to see "Wild Hogs" - next week she'll be looking at Harleys (BTW my son-in-law's name is Harley)

http://www.perrycomer.com

Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number: 2460
Registered: 06-2002

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Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 10:45 am:

PAC
The name of my blog is "Mysteries and Motorcycles." I need to learn how to link it with others.

Dennis Collins
Moderator
www.theunrealmccoy.com
http://theunrealmccoy.blogspot.com

Joyce Scarbrough
Unity Member
Post Number: 1094
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 11:01 am:

Dennis, I think you should create a series about a character who's a biker (not just as a hobby--maybe one who customizes bikes or runs a bike shop, etc.) and have him solve mysteries. Your biker fans would get their biker fix plus a good story, and general mystery fans would enjoy them too.

I agree with Perry that your blog is a great tool to use since you have a target audience. Make sure you post plenty of biker anecdotes, and maybe even solicit contributions from within your biker groups and drive readers to your blog to see their names mentioned.

I don't promote my blog as much as I should, but I'd be glad to trade links with you. You can also get some tips on blog promotion at the Blogger website.

Harry, it's not bad, it just makes it harder to do what Dennis is trying to do--develop a following.

~Joyce Sterling Scarbrough
True Blue Forever
ISBN 0-9722385-9-X
Different Roads
ISBN 0-9722385-3-0
Authors Ink Books
http://www.authorsinkbooks.com

Read the first chapters: http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1
Waste time on Joyce's Blog: http://joycescarbrough.blogspot.com
Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kztz5e3XZeo

Stephen Lodge
Wisdom Member
Post Number: 553
Registered: 06-2004

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Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 10:51 am:

Off to do a local TV talk show on books and authors. I hope my "following" will be tuned in.

http://www.stephenlodge.com
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
"Shadows of Eagles"

Frank Mazur
Wandering Member
Post Number: 177
Registered: 02-2005

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Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 09:43 am:

"The name of my blog is "Mysteries and Motorcycles." I need to learn how to link it with others."

For starters, link it to my one-page website that links to my biker story, still available as a 49-cent download. Now I'm not being cute here. You wrote once that you ordered it. I have no idea what you thought of it, but it is a story with a good connection to motorcycling and it's been vetted by Amazon. The point here is that if someone were to follow your link and liked my story and writing, they would in a reverse way give you some credit and then perhaps order something of yours. On the other hand, I don't think much is lost to you if the story does not work with certain readers. In other words, you may get credit for recognizing something good, even just for knowing its availability, but you won't be criticized if it's a bomb.

P.S. Since that piece, I've written another biker story about a couple our age. It's in circulation. Outside readers express real appreciation for it. It's titled "Crusher Run." You might try a short piece yourself and distribute it free at a rally, along with promos for your books.

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