Whenever I've got a gripe, I eventually get around to self-evaluation. How can I, as a writer, provide great customer service? Who in the world are my customers? That's the neighborhood we're roaming around in today.
First, let's narrow down the market. As a writer, you are servicing readers. Not publishers. Not yourself. Readers must come first and foremost. How to do, exactly? You came to the right place...
TOP 3 WAYS AN AUTHOR CAN PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE
Be Available
Yesterday I tweeted about one of my all-time favorite authors, Travis Thrasher. I didn't honestly expect an answer. I simply wanted to be an encouragement but BAM. He tweeted right back, to little ol' me of all people. Now that is what I'm talking 'bout when I say customer service! Taking the time to interact with the average John Doe shows humility of heart.
Write Your Best
Don't just crank out writing that you know will sell. Put out your best writing. Every time. Sweat a little over the words you choose. Stretch a little farther than tossing in the usual cliches. Give the reader a sweet surprise with the way you describe a character or scene.
Consistency
I'm not saying you have to write like a madman and toss out a book every six months. If your writing gait is a novel every two years, or a blog post once a week, it's not really the frequency that matters. It's the consistency. Your readers will come to expect something from you once you've set the pace. Stick to that schedule.
Okay readers, here's your chance. What are some ways that authors can show customer service to you?
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6 comments:
First of all, I want to wish your mom Happy Birthday! 92 years young? Wow, I can't even imagine my mom at that age....she went to be with the Lord at the young age of 57. All I can say is cherish your mom..
So...ways that authors can show customer service to me? Just being human is all I ask...down to earth, never letting their success go to their heads. I've encountered some authors who, on the surface appear to be very sweet, yet when you try to approach them on a personal level, they suddenly turn professional and distant. Other authors, such and yourself, MaryLu and others have always treated me like a friend. You are open, honest and willing to hear what your readers have to say. Keep up the good work, my friend! God bless.
And my dad died when he was 57. Yep. Too young.
Great advice, my readerly writerly friend. Keep the aloof professionalism for business meetings, not for connecting with readers. I think I can do that. Well, I might need to polish up my professionalism, I suppose.
Happy Birthday to your mom, Michelle!! Bless God for her 92 years of life, how wonderful :) Olive Garden is a great restaurant, sorry to hear the customer service wasn't better that night. It's very cool and humbling to do the self-evaluation thing, being teachable honors Christ.
I definitely agree with authors being approachable and down to earth. It is a business, but connecting with readers should be fun.
This might be common sense, but added to the consistency bit is to keep your promises. When it comes to giveaways, interviews, guest posting on blogs, etc. If you promised a blogger or reader your time or free book, please come through on that promise. Most authors are great about this, but once in a while this seems to be forgotten or overlooked.
Thanks for another great post, Michelle, and for sharing your mom's beautiful picture! So happy for you that Thrasher responded on twitter, blessings :)
Wow, do I have the best readers or what? Thanks, Kara! And yes, that is a good point. There's no faster way I know to alienate someone than to not keep your promise.
Happy Birthday Michelle's Mom!! Wow, she had you when she was 70? Huh, AHHH-mazing!
Remember from whence they came. They were newbs once too, keep the humility flowing.
Yeah...birthing miracles still happen.
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