5 Tips for Finding Your Tribe

How do you find readers for your book, blog, podcast, etc. when you’re new? In my case, I already have a tribe of fierce women interested in bodybuilding, but the gym rat crowd may not necessarily be interested in reading my 18th century novel crisscrossing through London, Virginia colony and Scotland. Whether you are starting from scratch or trying to find a new tribe for a different part of your personality, here are…

5 tips to help you find your tribe.

#1 – Where do your readers hang out?

Who is your ideal reader? What are they reading? Where to they hang out online? Women interested in historical fiction might be on Facebook groups book clubs. Do you write crime stories? Try Twitter. Writing your fist YA (young adult) novel? #BookTok is a popular hashtag on TikTok. Hunt around. Follow, like and learn about your target readers’ likes/dislikes and culture. As common courtesy, become part of the group before you start promoting your book or blog. As you get to know each other, it will come up naturally in your conversation.

#2 – Network with other writers.

When you’re new to writing, blogging, or any new business, it helps to network with people who have been there/done that. How do you find these mentors? Try conventions. When I was a personal trainer/fitness blogger I went to a convention called FitBlogger. Most industries have these types of things. Right now I’m writing my first historical fiction, so I attended a virtual convention hosted by The History Quill. It’s a great chance for you to network, learn marketing tips and take workshops with experts.

#3 – Give readers what they want.

Sabrina Jeffries is a New York Times bestselling author of over 50 stories focused on Regency fiction. (FYI – Regency is 1780-1840 – think Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.) If you are going to write a Regency romance novel – include a duke! Why? Because readers love those stock characters and have come to expect them. Could you write about two poor people who end up divorced? Sure, but don’t expect that readers will gravitate to your novels. Always keep your reader in mind first.

#4 – Post consistently.

Tammi Labrecque says to be a ‘Newsletter Ninja’ you should stick to just a few categories and write within those categories consistently. For example, on this blog I’m going to cover five categories: my writer’s journey, the craft of writing/storytelling, writing as a business, history (for those interested in the 18th century) and book reviews. This helps establish a game plan so readers know what to expect. Create a calendar that you can stick to and feel free to write ahead, which is a pretty common practice. I blog for Bowflex and my blog posts are always submitted two months ahead so they can schedule around any new equipment they are promoting. When you communicate consistently with the readers you have, they become some of your biggest supporters and will look forward to your next big thing.

#5 – Dedicate time to growing your tribe.

Some people hit it out of the park on their first try with some viral video, but most of us just have to keep at it. Don’t feel like you have to be on all platforms, just use the ones that feel good to you and aim to be on them for at least ten minutes a day. See which posts get likes and comments and which ones go quietly into the darkness of the internet. Write more of the ones that resonate. Read the comments on your posts and reply if it makes sense. Give yourself six months. If your tribe is growing, great! Double down on whatever you’re doing. But if you’re not clicking in this space there are about a billion other social media apps out there. You’ll find your tribe. Just keep at it!

You’ve got something to say and there are people who want to hear it. Apply these tips and you’ll find your tribe.

Lisa 😉

Here’s my story. (Available on Amazon)