by Sam Rennie of Readership
Crowdfunding has received quite a buzz about it in recent years. It’s become a viable way for creators to get their work both approved and funded. In the publishing industry, especially, it is an exciting and worthwhile alternative for writers.
One of the biggest appeals to this model is that we don’t have to concern ourselves with the following questions:
- Is this commercial?
- Does the author have a huge following already?
- Does this fit in with any current trends?
On our platform, the only question that’s asked of an author’s work is this:
What do readers think of this story?
The answer, and the importance of it, is put at the start of the process rather than the end.
So if you’re going to crowdfund your story, here are five things to consider:
1. Be creative with how you pitch your story
In the online world, there is no limit to how you can promote your book. So don’t think just in terms of how your text is shared and displayed. Think of audio. Think of video. Think of how these forms can complement your writing. Put all three together and you’ve got an incredibly atmospheric snapshot of your writing to share with the world. It doesn’t matter if everyone’s already done it, or if no one has. Just think of something that your reader is going to love when they discover it.
2. Be open to the positive and the negative
Comments and responses to your story will differ. It doesn’t necessarily mean your story is bad. If you’re struggling, go on Goodreads and find the page for your favorite book of all time. Then look through all of the one-star reviews. See? Even your favourite book isn’t beyond criticism. It doesn’t mean you love that book any less, or that it’s no longer a good book.
3. Engage with your readers
Whether it’s a verdict of Yes or No, share your gratitude for particularly helpful comments – whether that’s on Twitter, your own blog, or anywhere you can talk about your work and the feedback you’re getting. Pay attention to what people are enjoying about your book. Ask them questions. Find out what engages with people.
4. Make the most of your fanbase when you launch
If your campaign is successful, make sure you keep your fanbase updated so they feel a part of your journey. After all, they are the reason your campaign was a success in the first place. The beauty of crowdfunding your book is that it inherently develops an audience for your work while the campaign is going on. So when your book is available, make sure you’re letting everyone know and encouraging people to talk about it.
5. Be open to new mediums of promotion
Similar to number 1, but on a broader scale. The beauty of the online world isn’t just that it lets you tell your story through many different mediums; it also lets you promote your work in areas that appear to have little, or no, link to it. For example, we recently announced we’d be promoting the extracts on our site through various campaigns and community activities – one of which is by creating an extension to our world of writing in the video game Minecraft.
I hope these are of some use, and I hope that – above all – you enjoy the thrill of sharing your story directly with the reading world.
About Readership
You decide what we publish
Readership is a digital book publisher controlled by readers. It was created out of a desire to see more publishers embedding themselves in online culture. We’ve seen what communities across the digital world can achieve – particularly when they’re passionate about something – so we’ve created a space that embraces that passion and gives readers the ultimate say in what gets published.
How it works:
- Writers upload extracts
- Readers vote Yes or No
- Yes, I want to see this published
- No, I have some feedback
- Readers add donations to every Yes vote
- Every title that reaches its target for donations will be published
Readership is now open for writers for writers to upload their work and readers to vote. You can sign up and upload your writing here: www.readershipbooks.com
Welcome to a place where the only approval you need is the reader’s.
For all enquiries please contact sam@readershipbooks.com
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