The Secret Places Your Readers Hang Out—And Why Most Authors Never Look There
Your readers aren’t hiding. You’re just digging in the wrong place.
The Secret Places Your Readers Hang Out—And Why Most Authors Never Look There
Vignette:
I once coached an author who swore she’d tried everything—ads, book fairs, social media. Yet her audience still felt invisible. Then, in one random LinkedIn group for HR leaders, she mentioned her book in a comment thread. Two weeks later, she’d sold 300 copies. Not luck. Leverage.
Most authors think finding readers is about reach. It’s not. It’s about resonance.
Your readers aren’t hiding—they’re hanging out in plain sight. You’re just looking in the wrong places.
Here are five hidden goldmines most authors ignore (while wondering why their “marketing” isn’t working):
1. LinkedIn & FaceBook Groups
Stop chasing followers. Start joining conversations.
Find small, engaged groups that already talk about your topic. Don’t sell—solve problems. Offer insights, share resources, then watch readers come to you.
2. Industry & Association Newsletters
Forget cold audiences. Borrow trust.
Professional newsletters are already talking to your ideal readers every week. Offer them a short, helpful article or Q&A. Let your book be the quiet hero in your bio.
3. Podcasts
Stop obsessing over social media likes. Speak to people who actually listen.
Podcasts are the modern campfire—intimate, loyal, and trusted. Pitch hosts whose audiences already crave what you teach.
4. Course Communities & Masterminds
Want to meet readers who take action?
They’re inside paid communities, learning and growing around your very topic. Be a contributor, not a promoter. When you help someone solve a problem, they’ll hunt for your book.
5. Corporate & Nonprofit Partnerships
Think bigger than one sale at a time.
Organizations buy books in bulk when they help their teams or communities. Offer a workshop, a resource, or a discount—and turn one “yes” into hundreds of copies moved.
Contrarian truth:
You don’t need a bigger audience. You need better access.
The real goldmine isn’t more eyeballs—it’s alignment.
Go where people already care. The rest gets easy.
Upgrade to Paid Get my plug-and-play scripts and a 90-day action plan to mine these five gold zones like a pro.
If your book isn’t selling, it’s not the book. It’s the marketing.
Let’s fix that.
If you’re done playing small, click here to brainstorm some simple and practical bookmarketing ideas.
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Your Hidden Goldmine Blueprint—Turn Readers into Raving Fans in 90 Days
You’ve learned where the real gold hides. Now it’s time to talk about how to dig for it without losing your authenticity along the way.
Forget tactics that make you sound like every other author shouting online. This is about playing smarter and building real relationships where your readers already hang out.
Here’s how to do it without selling your soul.
1. Groups
Search hyper-specific keywords like “trauma-informed leadership” or “midlife wellness.”
Before posting, comment on five threads. Earn trust.
DM group admins using this line:
“I love how active your group is around [topic]. I have a short free resource that could really help members. May I share it?”
2. Association Newsletters
Use AssociationDirectory.com to find niche orgs.
Pitch editors with this opener:
“Your members are tackling [problem]. I’d love to contribute a short, useful article with 3 actionable ideas.”
Always include a 1-line bio linking to your book.
3. Podcasts
On Podchaser, look for shows with fewer than 10k listeners—these have engaged, loyal audiences.
Sample email:
“Hi [Host], I loved your episode on [topic]. I’m an author who helps [audience] with [result]. Want to riff on how to [specific angle]?”
End every episode with a free resource—not your book link.
4. Course Communities
Choose one course or mastermind your audience loves. Join it.
Offer insights and encouragement in threads.
When members ask for help, reference your book casually (“I covered that in Chapter 3, and it’s helped many of my clients”).
5. Corporate/Nonprofit Partnerships
Search LinkedIn for “HR wellness coordinator” or “program director.”
Message:
“I noticed your company promotes [mission]. My book offers a practical framework that aligns beautifully with that goal. Would you be open to a quick call to explore a partnership?”
Offer bulk discounts, workshops, or co-branded resources.
Download your 90-Day Action Plan
If your book isn’t selling, it’s not the book. It’s the marketing.
Let’s fix that.
If you’re done playing small, click here to brainstorm some simple and practical bookmarketing ideas.
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