Listen now
Menu
In this episode of Don’t Write That Book, Mike and AJ break down the difference between an avatar and an ideal reader, and why the distinction matters. They share how connecting to the hearts and minds of that reader is the secret sauce to their books’ success, and guide the listener into the steps needed to identify who their ideal reader is, and why it’s often an earlier version of themselves.
Be sure to add your email below for more information and to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.
“Reader First isn’t an avatar. It’s not listing characteristics as that excludes people and it gets you off track with what actually matters: the hearts and minds of your reader.”
—AJ Harper
“I think it’s the ultimate form of flattery when someone wants to come up and share their story. It means that they are integrating what you just taught on stage or through your book into their life now.”
—Mike Michalowicz
“This is a question I get all the time from authors. ‘How do I know how much of my story to tell? And where do I put it? How much is too much?” The easy answer is if you know your ideal reader well enough, then you choose the parts of your story that will help you connect to them where they are.”
—AJ Harper
“James Clear said, ‘People give their most integral criticism in three-star reviews and their most integral compliment. What I do now is I look at all the comparative books for a book that we’re writing about. I look at all the three stars and say, “What is the lesson I’m learning here on what’s missing and what the ideal reader needs to be served with?”’”
– Mike Michalowicz
