Knowing what your target reader needs to hear is crucial to catching their attention

As authors, we often obsess over pitching to agents or publishers — but what about pitching to readers?

Your book might be brilliantly written, but if your target audience doesn’t understand why it’s for them, they’ll scroll right past it. Pitching to readers isn’t just about writing a snappy blurb or putting your book in the right category — it’s about connection. It’s about speaking directly to the people who are most likely to love your story and convincing them that you wrote it for them.

In this post, we’ll explore how to pitch your book in a way that grabs your ideal reader’s attention and makes them say, “That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

1. Know Your Reader Like You Know Your Main Character

Before you can pitch to your reader, you have to know who they are.

This goes beyond age range or genre preference. Ask yourself:

• What do they love most about the genre?

• What tropes do they gravitate toward?

• What emotions do they want to feel when they read?

• What other books do they love — and why?

For example, if you’re writing a fast-paced YA dystopian novel, your ideal reader might love the tension and rebellion in The Hunger Games but be tired of love triangles. They want action, grit, and agency. So when you pitch, highlight exactly that.

Example:

“A rebellion is brewing, and seventeen-year-old Maren doesn’t want to lead it — but she may not have a choice. If you love breakneck pacing, complex female protagonists, and rebellion with real consequences, this one’s for you.”

2. Lead With Emotion, Not Just Plot

Your plot gets readers in the door, but emotion keeps them reading.

A successful pitch doesn’t just tell readers what happens — it tells them how it feels. Make your readers feel something from the first line of your pitch.

Instead of:

“A girl discovers she has magical powers and must save her kingdom from an evil sorcerer.”

Try:

“She’s been silenced her entire life. Now her voice is the only thing that can save them all.”

That shift creates immediate emotional stakes. You’re pitching the experience, not just the events.

3. Use Tropes as Signals, Not Crutches

Readers often seek out familiar tropes — but they also crave fresh takes. (Which we all realize can be tricky to achieve.)

Mentioning tropes in your pitch (grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, found family, etc.) acts as a shortcut to help readers self-select. You’re essentially saying, “Hey, if you love these vibes, you’ll love this.”

But balance it with your twist.

Example:

“A cursed heir. A fake engagement. A forbidden romance that could doom them both. The Cruel Prince meets Bridgerton in this fantasy of royal secrets and deadly court games.”

This lets readers know the tropes and tone — but also gives a taste of what’s unique.

4. Write for Skimmers: Clarity Over Cleverness

We’re tempted to make our pitch sound clever and literary — but your reader is likely scrolling on their phone, deciding in seconds if your story is worth their time.

Cut fluff. Make the first line count. Make sure each sentence earns its place.

Break long blurbs into paragraphs if you’re posting online. Use bold or emojis sparingly to guide the eye.

Example:

Not a Great Pitch: “In a world governed by the tides of celestial bodies and ruled by the ancient magic of the sea, one girl must — ”
A Better Pitch: “In a world where the moon controls magic, a girl with no power is the only one who can stop a war.”

Clear. Compelling. Clean.

5. Test Your Pitch With Your Actual Audience

You don’t have to guess whether your pitch works — test it.

• Post two variations on social media and see which gets more engagement.

• Ask your newsletter subscribers which one makes them want to read more.

• Use tools like Bookfunnel or StoryOrigin to test pitches alongside reader magnets.

If you’re getting crickets, reframe your pitch. Focus more on conflict, emotion, or genre hooks. If readers are responding, you know you’re on the right track.

6. Keep the Promise of Your Pitch

Finally, your pitch is a promise. If you pitch your book as a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance and readers get a sweet slow-burn friendship instead, they’ll be disappointed — even if the writing is good.

Pitch honestly.

If your book is more character-driven than plot-heavy, lean into that. If it’s got dark themes, don’t hide them. You don’t want just any reader — you want the right reader.

Think of your pitch like a conversation between you and the reader.

You’re not selling to everyone — you’re calling out to those who crave exactly what you’re offering.

Know them. Speak to their emotions. Show them the heart of your story.

And when you do, your ideal readers won’t just buy the book — they’ll thank you for writing it.