Marketing your book is a task as difficult as writing the manuscript. While the internet “bookstores” have reinvented mass marketing of books, the majority of your books will be sold directly to the people for whom you have written the book. It is important, therefore, that you define your audience carefully. Defining your audience is different from developing a marketing plan.

Defining your audience means that you should know WHO is going to buy your book before you start writing.

Some publishers advise not seeking publishing information until you have your manuscript completed. We at Kirk House prefer to confer with the author at the beginning of the writing project in order that the audience/market be clearly defined. Your book has a greater chance of success in the marketplace if we work together to define the audience.

To define the WHO you should be very specific. It is helpful to write a one-page description of the person who will be interested in reading your book. For example: Is this an academic book intended for university professors? Which academic discipline? Are they doing research? Are they teaching? Is your book written for use by students in the classroom?

Is this a children’s book? Children do not buy books. Who will buy the book? Mothers? Fathers? Grandparents? Where? What will capture their attention?

Where do you see your book being sold? Do you know what steps are necessary to get your book into their product line? What discount will they require?

We can help you clearly define your audience in order that we can later get your book into the appropriate marketing channels.