There is more to being a successful author than just writing a book. If it were that easy, everyone would be sitting with the ladies on The View telling their success story. No, being an author is a lot like being a parent. You must nurture your product through book marketing.
Mainstream writers like Dean Koontz use an author question and answer page to connect with fans and sell more books. If you want to be in the big leagues, then follow the example of authors that have made it big and design your own Q&A page.
Why a Q&A Page?
A Q&A page allows you to answer questions about your book. The idea is to peak the interest of readers much the same way a summary does, but the Q&A makes it more personal.
- How did you come up with the story?
- Who is your favorite character?
- Is the story written about you?
These questions should tell the reader something interesting about you. Making that kind of connection fosters fans who will buy this book and any others that you write.
How Do You Come Up with Questions for Your Q&A?
Developing a question and answer section is like conducting an interview. You create sample questions and responses using that same format. If you are struggling, have a couple friends or colleagues interview you about your book. Let them come up with their own list of questions and use them to formulate your Q&A.
Questions should cover:
- The book’s story
- Your writing process
- Your background
- What authors you like to read
- What other projects you are working on
Make the questions as personal as possible.
- What was the first book you read?
- Who are your heroes in real life?
- What is your favorite genre?
The more specific you make the questions, the more connected your fans will feel.
Where to Use Q&A’s?
The obvious place to put your Q&A is on your website – something every self-publishing author should have to as part of their book marketing strategy.
You can also create a Q&A section for social media sites. Setting up an author profile page on Facebook, for example, allows you to create a Q&A for fans that like your page.
Include a Q&A list in your author press kit, as well. This is helpful for anyone conducting an actual interview. They can look at your sample fquestions to see what your response will be and pick out the information that will interest their viewers.
Post Q&As on promotion sites like Amazon and Goodreads, too. This increases your Internet presence and gives potential readers more information about your book.
For you, a question and answer section is just another tool to market your book and increase sales. For fans, however, it is a chance to get to know the real you.
Keep the Faith and may the Force be with You!
