Connection

Turning readers into fans is all about connecting. But how do you connect? You connect with your readers over email or social media the same way you connect in real life:

• Care about others
• Ask questions
• Pay attention
• Don’t pretend you know everything
• Be genuine
• Offer help
• Be reliable and dependable

Care about others: This goes back to the old-fashioned notion of putting yourself in another’s shoes. I hope by now you know who your Reader Ambassador is (if not, go read that post). If you really understand your Ambassador, then you understand most of your readers. What are they going through in their lives? What are they interested in? What are they struggling with or celebrating?

Ask questions: Even if your readers don’t engage, there’s something magical about being asked a question. In fact, any sentence that has “you” (meaning your reader) is magical. What are you reading? How was your holiday? I’m thinking of you.

Pay attention: And let readers know you’re paying attention. “Molly B wrote to say she’s got six feet of snow yesterday! I hope you’re not snowed in like she is!” “Thanks for responding to my survey! Turns out 75% of you like…”

Don’t pretend you know everything: One of the most powerful things you can do is admit vulnerability. “I screwed up,” I fell asleep after dinner and didn’t get any writing done,” or a question like, “Anyone know how to keep your dog from barking?” will do wonders to connect you to others.

Be genuine: Readers don’t want to connect to a robot or a perfect person. It’s hard to accept, but readers will put you on a pedestal. Let them know the real you–but only how much you want to share. Love pepperoni pizza for breakfast? Hate going to the grocery store? Your readers (believe it or not) want to know!

Offer help: You might not think you can help, but a kind word, sharing a resource, or a gifting a free book can make someone’s day.

Be reliable and dependable: Do what you say and say what you do. Send your newsletter out the same day each week or each month at around the same time. Don’t try to post on social media every single day if you can’t keep up that pace. Don’t try to publish once a month unless you know you can do that consistently.