Memoir Authors discussion

Hello everyone,

What do you do if you're not sure who your target market is? And your memoir fits into multiple categories. Any tips or advice?

Kind regards
Dahlia :)

Dahlia wrote: "What do you do if you're not sure who your target market is? And your memoir fits into multiple categories. Any tips or advice?"

I'm still struggling with this one after a couple of years. And it's not just homing in on your target market, but working out where that target market hangs out, too.

*Sits back and hopes for nuggets of advice to hit this thread*

I joined this group to find my target market for my memoir. I think mine would hit many different markets. My main one I think is sexual abuse and surviving it.I think it also reaches young adult and transgendered as that is who I aim my memoir to. So not sure where to target my memoir.

Natasha (Diarist) wrote: "Dahlia wrote: "What do you do if you're not sure who your target market is? And your memoir fits into multiple categories. Any tips or advice?"

I'm still struggling with this one after a couple of..."

Isn't this the most frustrating thing!? I've been writing essays and blog posts so about 50 people liked my writing before I published a book. The first bit of helpful info came from a developmental editor/writing coach who told me the book was a spiritual memoir. So my first clue about my market was "people who like spiritual memoirs." Then came a little trial an error. I attended a Christian writers critique group, thinking that spiritual was an inclusive word. No. I learned that Buddhists are going to hell. Since the title of my book is Stumbling Toward the Buddha, I learned that Every-Sunday-church-going Christians were not my market. So I wasn't going to try to get my spiritual memoir into Christian bookstores. I really studied my friends who like my writing, the ones who show up when I read at an open mike, the ones who comment on my blog (comments that go deeper than "Thank you."). What did they have in common? The vast majority were women. Most were over forty. About half attended Unity churches. All of them were spiritually inclined - Buddhist, Hindu, eastern philosophy. All of them were white - I'm black! And 99% of them take yoga! So far my markets look like this: women seekers 40-65, people who attend Unity churches, women who practice yoga. I've had readings at Unity churches and sold a couple dozen books each time, which was excellent for me an unknown first-time author. I've had readings at yoga studios! Sold a couple dozen books each time. I attend a black Baptist church, but I have NEVER tried to talk about my book there. I have read at open mikes at coffee shops, but most of the people looked under 30 and were glued to their cell phones––I didn't sell any books. I once was part of a reading put on by a lit mag I was published in. There were half a dozen of us authors. I was really well-received when I read, but I didn't sell even one book. The reading was in a small town in rural Kansas (Bible belt) and I was selling a book with the word Buddha on the cover! The most surprising thing I've learned is that my writing friends (who love my writing) are not my audience. It took me awhile to realize my marketing efforts needed to be focused elsewhere. It's been hit and miss, trial and error, and I'm still learning, but I think I'll have a clearer picture when my second book comes out. Dahlia, Natasha, and Raven, good luck!

Thanks very much for all the info, Dawn, and congrats on all your sales. I do like the idea of doing public readings in relevant spaces, but I am working under a pseudonym to protect the identities of the characters in my diaries (and myself!).

In the new year, I plan to do a good focused Google on how to market a lesbian memoir /coming-out memoir.

Hi all. I have found a great group on Facebook (and on Goodreads) and it is specifically for and about 'Memoirs': WE LOVE MEMOIRS

https://www.facebook.com/groups/welov...

I will be featured on the "Sunday Spotlight" this weekend. It is an AMAZING opportunity to connect with people around the world-- people who love memoirs! It truly is a worldwide event, an all day interview :-) Great publicity and lovely people.

https://www.facebook.com/WithLoveTheA...

Check out their group here on Goodreads!