What I learned about book marketing and my “reader avatar” in the grocery store

I ran into two people I know. It made it crystal clear what to do with author strategies.

Here’s what happened.

Anne Marie

She was heading passed the apples when she saw me, stopped, then came towards me.

We embraced, smiled, and jumped into conversation. Talked for 15 minutes and only stopped because I had to get home (to a hot Catan game!).

Elena

The “other woman” saw me, kinda maybe moved in a way that was going to get her down another aisle but she saw that I saw her so she stopped, smiled lightly, waved, and moved along down the aisle.

How does this relate to book marketing? My “reader avatar” and target audience?

Not Everyone is Your Target Audience

Not everyone likes you.

You don’t like everyone.

Here’s a weird secret I’ll just tell you because I’m feeling like that kind of guy right now:

You don’t want everyone as your target audience.

— Yeah, Me

You want those people who want you.

That’s it. Plain and simple.

If they don’t like you, their loss.

If you don’t like them, lucky you.

Move on. Get over it.

Head to the frozen section.

But you don’t need to hide.

They don’t need to care or apologize.

Just wave, acknowledge that there are different humans with different likes and dislikes and go pick up the mangoes on sale.

Then meet Anne Marie in line again and keep the conversation going.