I'm an analytical nerd, so I'm curious if you track your new readers to see if the community is still growing? If so, at what rate do you see growth in your readers? I think there must be some great metrics to know if your audience is still there.
I ask because I grew up on Weis/Hickman, Eddings, Brooks, etc. Back then, there was no way to track this stuff except through book sales. That's definitely a metric that can be used to see your sales, but it doesn't do much for learning about your audience or whether they're aging out. Also, there's a great opportunity to season your books as your fans mature.
In my opinion, the best thing you ever did was get involved with Audible and use their flash sales to move your books. This must have shown a massive uptick in reviews, which then allows you to learn who is reading your books and what they like and don't like. I actually learned from your early campaigns what I look for in other authors' ability to campaign their books and the type of reviews that are to my reading enjoyment.
There is a business aspect to this, though. I'm not great with Kickstarter, but you've spoken about it enough to shed some light on the process for others. I'm guessing there are metrics there to see how quickly a Kickstarter fills, which helps you determine the intensity of your readers from a volume perspective.
Personally, I will read your books because your style appeals to me. You write in the genre I like, and you're passionate about what you do. As the great Stan Lee once said, "You keep reading them, and I'll keep writing them." I will always read your books as long as your passion is there.
I ask because I grew up on Weis/Hickman, Eddings, Brooks, etc. Back then, there was no way to track this stuff except through book sales. That's definitely a metric that can be used to see your sales, but it doesn't do much for learning about your audience or whether they're aging out. Also, there's a great opportunity to season your books as your fans mature.
In my opinion, the best thing you ever did was get involved with Audible and use their flash sales to move your books. This must have shown a massive uptick in reviews, which then allows you to learn who is reading your books and what they like and don't like. I actually learned from your early campaigns what I look for in other authors' ability to campaign their books and the type of reviews that are to my reading enjoyment.
There is a business aspect to this, though. I'm not great with Kickstarter, but you've spoken about it enough to shed some light on the process for others. I'm guessing there are metrics there to see how quickly a Kickstarter fills, which helps you determine the intensity of your readers from a volume perspective.
Personally, I will read your books because your style appeals to me. You write in the genre I like, and you're passionate about what you do. As the great Stan Lee once said, "You keep reading them, and I'll keep writing them." I will always read your books as long as your passion is there.
Rick