Are You Promoting Your Book to the Wrong Crowd?
You Wrote a Book for Readers, Right? Then Read This.
A lot of writers fall into the same trap:
They spend most of their time promoting their book… to other writers.
And I get it. Writers are generous, responsive, and quick to cheer you on. But deep down, many of us aren’t really marketing—we’re looking for validation. And it’s safer to seek that from people who get it.
The problem? Fellow writers aren’t your target readers.
They’re busy writing their own books.
If you want to grow a readership—not just a peer circle—here are 3 gentle remedies:
Talk to readers, not colleagues.
Share stories, questions, or reviews that spark curiosity in book lovers, not just writers. Use your newsletter to invite readers into your world.Build bridges outside the writing bubble.
Where do your ideal readers hang out online? Fantasy groups? Cozy mystery forums? Parenting newsletters? Go there, listen, and offer value before pitching.Validate yourself differently.
Track connections, not likes. Did someone tell you your story moved them? That’s the real reward. Save those words somewhere visible. They’re proof you’re reaching the right people.
You don’t need to become a marketing machine. Just shift your gaze—from peers to readers.
It’s a small move, but it changes everything.
💬 Curious: Who is your ideal reader? Have you spoken to them lately?
I agree 🙂 I don’t try to market to other writers, though I learn things from their response. I get stuck knowing how to reach readers because my potential readers would mostly go to bookstores or libraries (even in the digital age), or look at Amazon’s recommendations, which are usually not options for self-published writers.
I’ve never really thought about that. Getting an audience of readers. It makes sense.
My go to reader is a writer, but I first send it to my dad who reads it in the view of a reader.