tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post6928521781501937209..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: Creating Genuine Reader Engagement: The BasicsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-40964530160283049392015-02-24T16:14:12.082+11:002015-02-24T16:14:12.082+11:00Hi Rel - great post. I was a reader way before I s...Hi Rel - great post. I was a reader way before I started writing and connecting with authors is a terrific experience - or it should be! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-84814227234443954832015-02-24T16:11:51.299+11:002015-02-24T16:11:51.299+11:00That's a terrific story, Rita! Did you tell yo...That's a terrific story, Rita! Did you tell your husband, and if so, what did he say?<br /><br />It's true about getting emotionally involved with your characters. If you're not moved then how can our readers be? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-68798053734260308732015-02-24T14:33:13.022+11:002015-02-24T14:33:13.022+11:00Rel, excellent post! Common sense and good manners...Rel, excellent post! Common sense and good manners make a difference. I've worked in customer service for many years, and I think authors who have worked in the retail and services industries do have an advantage. They can find it easier to understand the relationship between the seller (author) and the customer (reader), and they've been taught how to nurture these valuable relationships in a professional manner. Thanks for sharing your helpful insights from a reader perspective :)Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-55624847548490779812015-02-24T13:00:50.529+11:002015-02-24T13:00:50.529+11:00Rel, I am happy to engage with my readers anytime ...Rel, I am happy to engage with my readers anytime and always answer anyone who contacts me via my website straight away, if possible. I have had only one reader contact me who was irate at the particular theological view she felt I had made obvious in one of my novels. But, even in these instances, I think it is really important to respond in a gracious manner. On the positive side, I have had lots of lovely email conversations as well with readers I am never likely to meet--I always feel they deserve a good email response in return, if they have taken the time to write and tell me how much they enjoyed a book of mine. And once recently, while book signing in a large Christian bookstore here in Sydney, two ladies came up to me and thanked me profusely for writing my first two novels, which they said had moved them so much. Such an encouraging moment for me--especially when they then bought two of my later books! Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-50836649205844508572015-02-24T10:42:05.011+11:002015-02-24T10:42:05.011+11:00I'm sorry but not surprised to hear your exper...I'm sorry but not surprised to hear your experiences, Jenny. I've had similar ones, particularly where an author has requested to be featured on my blog and then not only failed to come back and engage with her readers once the post was live, but not acknowledge my email advising her that the post has been completed. Poor manners, at the very least.Relhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857426893482706263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-16912539975264335432015-02-24T10:39:33.380+11:002015-02-24T10:39:33.380+11:00Thanks Dotti - yes, writers ignore readers at thei...Thanks Dotti - yes, writers ignore readers at their own peril!Relhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857426893482706263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-61521048754257174472015-02-24T10:38:46.286+11:002015-02-24T10:38:46.286+11:00Love that story, Rita :) My real name is the same ...Love that story, Rita :) My real name is the same as one of the regular contributors here at ACW!!<br /><br />And yes, respecting readers is plain courtesy but courtesy seems to be a little out of fashion these days. Sigh.Relhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857426893482706263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-54822631811806171482015-02-24T09:08:00.840+11:002015-02-24T09:08:00.840+11:00What a great viewpoint, Rel! (I'm curious abou...What a great viewpoint, Rel! (I'm curious about your full name.) That is, from the aspect of a reader who knows what they expect. As writers we think we know but it's necessary to hear it spelled out. Yes I love what you said about needing to be emotionally moved. Sometimes I write and rewrite a scene until my own eyes tear up.<br /><br />Funnily enough, I was writing while waiting in the eye doctor's surgery for my husband. The scene was very emotional so the tears began welling. The nurse came in and caught me. 'Oh, there's nothing to worry about. He's fine.' I didn't dare tell her I wasn't thinking about him!<br />I have to get right there with my characters and feel what they feel.<br /><br />As for respecting our readers in everything...oh, that's just plain courtesy isn't it?Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-53943492722508420392015-02-24T08:36:19.522+11:002015-02-24T08:36:19.522+11:00The figures Jenny quotes are consistent with what ...The figures Jenny quotes are consistent with what I was taught in marketing in the dark ages (i.e the days before social media). I agree that with social media, the number is probably much higher. Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-78369514679950964132015-02-24T08:20:07.200+11:002015-02-24T08:20:07.200+11:00I may be wrong on the exact number but way more wi...I may be wrong on the exact number but way more will tell others about bad service than they will good service. <br /><br />I am wrong its 15. No news is not good news – research shows each dissatisfied customer will, on average, tell 15 other people, while a satisfied customer will tell no more than six<br /><br />I have had a bad experience recently and I have told more than 15 people so far more to alert others to be careful not to be nasty to the shop. But now days with Social media it reaches way more.<br />Ausjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644698706787568679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-68779134584154578522015-02-24T07:59:40.296+11:002015-02-24T07:59:40.296+11:00Jenny, I hadn't heard of the '10 person...Jenny, I hadn't heard of the '10 person' rule until you shared it just now, but it makes a lot of sense. It's a huge loss for any business, but an even bigger loss for one's personal reputation. <br /><br />Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-88630654954399277552015-02-24T07:47:37.459+11:002015-02-24T07:47:37.459+11:00Love the post Rel. Like Dottie I too have had the ...Love the post Rel. Like Dottie I too have had the experience of not getting replies but then having the same author ask for an interview or something. The other thing is when they do appear on the blog especially when they ask to be on the blog then do not show up or reply to emails is frustrating. <br /><br />The other big thing is when they offer a giveaway but never send it out. I have been on the end of this as well as had a few on my blog not get the book and had to then send a copy myself. <br /><br />I have also been disrespected on a public forum for my opinion on things in books told I was ignorant or unrealistic and others. This put me off the author and will never buy one of their books again. Also doing my business course we learnt for every bad service most will tell around 10 people which means an author could be losing up to 10 readers for every time they are disrespectful to a reader in a public forum. Ausjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644698706787568679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-11701519734598748162015-02-24T07:34:44.612+11:002015-02-24T07:34:44.612+11:00Fabulous post, Rel. Thanks for sharing your reader...Fabulous post, Rel. Thanks for sharing your reader perspective.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have emailed a few authors and not received replies. It's the quickest way to lose a loyal or potential loyal reader. <br /><br />I'm encouraged by your reminder to always engage with grace and respect. :)Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.com