According to the Miriam-Webster dictionary, AUDIENCE (n) is defined as follows:
1: a group of people who gather together to listen to something (such as a concert) or watch something (such as a movie or play) : the people who attend a performance
2: the people who watch, read, or listen to something
As an indie author, you’re constantly searching for readers. On social media, at book signings and speaking engagements, and even conferences, you’re looking to drum up a readership, an audience for your book.
But we’re here to tell you that an audience is not what you want.
You see, an audience is passive. It’s a group of people, to be sure, but it’s a group of people all experiencing media on their own. By listening at an event, or reading a book.
Now let’s take a look at Miriam-Webster’s definition of COMMUNITY (n):
1: a unified body of individuals: as
a: the people with common interests living in a particular area
b: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals
c: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
A community is by its very definition interactive. The members are unified by a single interest, or purpose, even though they can be very different. They’re involved with each other, and share their interests, thoughts, and ideas, because that is what joins them together.
As you well know, an indie author has to do the brunt of marketing and sales themselves. So instead of focusing on selling to individual pockets of readers, it’s better for both you and your book to create a community around it.
To create a community, rather than an audience, you not only have to engage with your readers, but prompt them to engage with each other.
If multiple readers respond to a tweet you make, respond with both of their handles to get them to talk to each other. Be present on blogs, which are the best community creators in the digital age.
You don’t want people to just be fans of you, but friends with each other, and you get to be that common interest.
So, Wise Ink community, how would you go about creating your own communities?
