Comments on Barbara Alfaro: The Niche

Dear Anonymous/Dorothy Chapman, "The Niche...

2011-09-08T13:48:27.942-07:00

Dear Anonymous/Dorothy Chapman, "The Niche' is a humorous post, not meant to be taken seriously. Of course I am open to those of "different backgrounds" - especially if they buy my book.

Some of us out here in the ether have a wide range...

2011-09-08T11:20:41.269-07:00

Some of us out here in the ether have a wide range of interests and are open to different backgrounds.
Dorothy Chapman

I need to "hashtag'it on Twitter.

2011-09-05T18:10:29.:00

I need to "hashtag'it on Twitter.

Seriously Barbara, people interested in theater ar...

2011-07-31T13:42:52.829-07:00

Seriously Barbara, people interested in theater are good candidates for this memoir.

LOL, funny, but really, the principle is narrowing...

2011-07-25T18:06:06.553-07:00

LOL, funny, but really, the principle is narrowing the target audience not atomizing it! I think it is a great idea for writers to think in terms of target audiences when considering marketing, and we all do at a certain level when we list the "category" of the book, don't we? I don't think Mirror Talk would fare particularly well under "YA", "Science Fiction", "Thrillers" or "Horror", right? Well there you go, you are recognizing that marketing to these groups would probably be by and large a waste of your time. You have narrowed the target audience.

But I do think "Catholic" or "Drama" or "Poetry" are good candidates for the characteristics of your target audience. I do like movies with gunfire but I will grant you that, don't include them.

Take care.

Phanto

I like vodka. Aside from that, I don't fit yo...

2011-07-24T15:09:46.549-07:00

I like vodka. Aside from that, I don't fit your target audience at all! So, why did I enjoy "Mirror Talk" so much?

I guess I'm a bull's eye: NY Catholic sch...

2011-07-23T06:17:25.698-07:00

I guess I'm a bull's eye: NY Catholic school girl; grown up theatre teacher, sister of actress and reader of Austen. Oh yeah, and I bought MIRROR TALK and SINGING MAGIC because I'm a writer who knows good writing when I read it.

hmmm. I am a Jewish woman who hates vodka, hates ...

2011-07-22T17:17:24.159-07:00

hmmm. I am a Jewish woman who hates vodka, hates chocolate, and generally dislikes memoirs -- and yet, I love Mirror Talk. Clue: I do love Jane Austen?

Sunny and Laura, Thank you for your warm and gener...

2011-07-22T14:11:43.398-07:00

Sunny and Laura, Thank you for your warm and generous comments. Clearly, the how to expert was mistaken and I need to widen my target audience to include coffee ice cream lovers, curly haired non-drinkers of both genders and all faiths, as well as agnostics, atheists, and dog lovers. I'm holding firm about the movies with gunfire.

I love it! Only I am a woman with curly hair and I...

2011-07-22T13:23:45.185-07:00

I love it! Only I am a woman with curly hair and I don't drink. But I like men who have and do and yet I'm protestant. And yet I love your writing and your books. So, I am now thoroughly confused. I think everyone should know about your writing and books because I suspect most people know someone who would benefit from bathing in your words and hearing how your conquered so many facets of your life. Lovely piece, as always!!

You've pegged your audience, Barbara! Now, whe...

2011-07-22T13:19:44.735-07:00

You've pegged your audience, Barbara! Now, where can you find them? And what's the secret to getting them to actually pay for your excellent book?

I love this post, full of good-natured humor and slightly-painful truth.

We writers who come out of the older, more traditional publishing world, are doing our best to connect with our readers. And your readers sound a lot like the readers I'm trying to woo. Although I'd add "coffee ice cream" to the list.

Thanks for a most enjoyable read!