Are you a niche writer? In other words, do you have a specific topic directed at a small, but devoted, interested audience? Dan Poynter (self-publishing guru) started out writing about parachuting. His books and articles on parachuting certainly address a niche market.
Most of my books are also niche books. I have books on grandparenting (for grandparents, of course), how to present a Hawaiian luau on the mainland, (for folks who are interested in Hawaiiana, throwing impressive parties and spending all day roasting pork). I have one on youth mentoring, which would be of interest to people who want to help kids out. My journaling book is directed at teens—another niche market. And my local history books are of interest to locals and tourists to the Ojai Valley.
What about my writing/publishing-related books? Of course, they are also niche books. While an occasional reader steps out of the mainstream because he decides he wants to be a writer, the audience for these books is composed of writers, authors and folks who want to be a writer or author.
Is your book or proposed book a niche book? Are you writing niche articles? If you write about cats, you’re writing for a niche market. If you’re writing about aviation, you’ve chosen a niche topic. Maybe your focus is World War II aircraft. Then your audience has focused down even more narrowly and, perhaps become stronger.
Does this make sense? It does if you acknowledge your true audience. Let’s examine the meaning of niche. Wikipedia says it is a “focused, targetable portion.†Merriam Webster defines it as a “specialized market.†It seems logical that if you promote your book or articles to the segment of people who are truly interested, you will sell more copies than if you use a scattershot method of promotion.
Approach cat magazines with your cat articles and aviation magazines with your WWII aviation stories.
Market your vintage plane book to aviation buffs. Sure, you’ll pick up a few sales from the mainstream—women purchasing the book for their husband whose father was a pilot, or their sons who are soon taking their first airplane ride or their uncle who knew a man who built vintage planes. But, first know your target audience—the individuals who will most likely purchase a book like this—and address the bulk of your marketing efforts toward them.
I have written articles on writing and publishing for magazines outside of my target audience—The Toastmaster (because speakers often become writers or vice versa), senior magazines (because a lot of seniors are writing their memoirs), but most of my articles appear in writing/publishing-related magazines and newsletters, such as Writer’s Digest, Writers Weekly, Writers Journal, Book Promotion Newsletter, etc.
I speak about writing to Rotary club members, at church gatherings, etc., but my main audiences are writers at writers group meetings, writers conferences and so forth.
When you’re looking for a place to post your amazing article on how to groom a cat or your book focusing on teaching your teen about finances, don’t think mainstream, go where your true audience is. Ascertain your niche market and present your article or book appropriately.
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. It will help you through the entire process of publishing, including discovering your niche market.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.