Marketing to the next generation

[pbray]

Last month for her birthday I gave my niece City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Mary loved it, and promptly demanded that her mom go out and buy book two. Then there was a discussion as to how many books were in the series, so she could make sure she read them all.

When I suggested checking the author's website, I was met with disbelief, and then glee as Mary realized that not only could she find out details on all the books and when the next one was coming out, but there was also a movie in the works.

Now mind you, Mary is internet savvy enough to bombard my inbox with cat memes and Chuck Norris jokes. But the idea that authors had websites where fans could interact with them had completely passed her by. And she's a prime target market--someone who buys and reads several books a month.

Comments

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

Did you also mention that many authors are on Facebook too? :)

I'm giving my writing group friend's daughter Tamara Pierce's books for her bat mitzvah. (Sp?)

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I can well believe it. Girls get less computer time at school and are more monitored by parents at home, often.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

The Tamora Pierce books are a great gift!

She's not allowed on Facebook yet, probably a wise decision on her parents part. But I'm teaching her how to stalk her favorite authors websites, and log on the review sites to see the "If you like this you may like this" discussions.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Enabler, that's me!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

And her friends aren't enthusiastic readers, so there's no cross-pollination going on there.

One thing in her favor is that my sister is a voracious reader, so reading and all things book-related get the parental seal of approval.

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

Often author interviews on youtube, and sometimes book trailers.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Good thought! I'm never on Youtube but I know she enjoys it, and will pass along.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

but websites are so early 2000s. If its not delivered directly to their vision via FB, or increasingly, twitter (or somehow instagram) it just isnt getting to them. They don't want to have go find it themselves.