Thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis, for this useful information for authors.
A few days ago, Written World Media (WWM) published the results of a survey on what readers really want. The company has five reader-facing brands such as Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, and Red Feather Romance, that allow authors and publishers to reach the right readers, with each of these brands catering to a different reader profile and demographic.
With over 20,000 authors, most self-published, and over one million readers, WWM’s survey offers great insight into what kinds of books readers prefer. Do they like series or standalone? Why do readers stop reading a book mid-way? Are reviews really that important?
Here are some key takeaways.
Do Readers Prefer Books in a Series or Standalone Books?
Authors like writing in series. Marketers like marketing series. But how do readers feel?
The overwhelming majority of readers are indifferent with 60% of respondents saying that they have no preference between…
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Stevie Turner 
Many thanks for the share, Stevie 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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Pingback: Survey: What Readers Really Want by Stevie Turner – DEEZ – Art, Books & more
Thanks for the link.
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Its a very interesting article, even if I honestly can’t really trust surveys or statistics. 😉 xx Michael
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I think each of us would have a different answer to this survey.
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For sure, Stevie! But at least its good to have something. xx Michael
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Facebook matters if you are an established (mainstream) author, like any other business or celebutante. Of all the answers from those delivery channels readers are finding those books on the delivery channel, not FB. FB is where a lot of people waste time and might visit if you do, too.
Now, look at what readers’ want and look at how indie authors create this circle jerk of marketing to each other, writing glowing reviews for each other, interviewing each other. A handful of five-star from the same mentality as social media friend farming are useless. Your books sell because they are topical, situations certain people can relate to, or in some instances simply be entertained by.
The biggest issue with readers? Bad effing books and BS reviews. Never mind, I feel a post coming on.
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Oh-oh. Yeah, when we first start out we join FB groups and find other Indie authors who all want reviews for their books. Then we make the mistake of reading books from other authors in the group, then giving 5 star reviews in case they have a meltdown if they don’t get one. I’ve found it best to give up FB and instead join BookFunnel, where you can advertise your books to actual readers, some of whom buy your book and give honest reviews.
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Exactly. Spend your time on the content delivery channels, not on the other bored writers sites.
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It’s difficult to find sites where readers (who are not authors) gather.
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True. Because as we know, any and everyone who can hack out enough text and buy a cover is an “author”.
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This is why you get Indie authors reading and reviewing books written by fellow authors. It’s easier than finding actual readers, who are all in the bookstores buying books written by celebrities.
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Or. if you read my latest, books by the most convenient.
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Excellent information. I agree, I don´t like cliffhangers at the end of a book.
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Neither do I. It says ‘buy the next book in the series to find out’, and I don’t want to do that.
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interesting results
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Already shared this, but put this on Twitter too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete.
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Interesting
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Yes, especially about Facebook. I gave up Facebook a couple of years ago, but haven’t seen a drop in sales though.
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I suppose it depends whether you were getting many through it in the first place. I suspect that I would take a knock but then my blog isn’t as established as yours and I’m in a less popular genre so it takes a lot longer to get recognition and momentum
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FB is useless as far as I’m concerned. I have more success with Book Funnel.
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I’ll have to explore it
Book Funnel isn’t something I’ve used
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It’s where you’ll find readers. On FB you find other authors.
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It’s worth a look
Mind you I’ve got comparatively few authors among my friends. Posting cartoons and jokes means I’ve built up a lot of people with a sense of humour. They might not read but there’s always a hope 🙂
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Of course.
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