By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Today’s writer has many roads to travel in learning the craft, adjusting to changes in the publishing industry, and navigating social media. Every writer craves encouragement and support for the journey ahead.

Why travel alone?

A street team, sometimes referred to as a dream team, posse, gang, road crew, backstage team, etc, is a means of spreading our message through a volunteer group of readers who are willing to promote our books, brand, speaking, blog, events, and online presence to others in their circle of influence.

Where do I find my street team?

Your support team is found among your readers, book reviewers, book store owners, store managers, and just about anywhere people gather who enjoy a quality book. The goal is to recruit other readers and social media followers, and a street team makes this happen.

I sent an invitation through Facebook for my team. From that list, I narrowed the list to approximately 35. Criteria was interest in working together as a team, willingness to post reviews and promote my books and brand through social media.

Do I need a mission statement?

Yes! The writer and the street team need a defined purpose. With a mission statement, goals and expectations are more easily outlined.

How do we communicate and support each other?

Form a Yahoo, Google or private Facebook group.

Invite members to name the street team.

Invite prayer and praise requests.

Develop a spreadsheet that contains each member’s name, e-mail address, preferred method of receiving a book (softcover or e-book), birthday, address, country, phone number, occupation, and misc. information.

Tragedies can hit in the lives of our street team. Support each other in every way possible.

What do I do for my street team?

A writer values her street team and expresses her appreciation. Frequent communication is vital and shows we care, but don’t flood inboxes and be a pest. Send a weekly e-mail with a quote, humorous happening, or a devotion. Be creative. Update the team on what is happening in you life. This is business, but it can be personal. Let them know where you’ll be speaking or teaching. Share book covers and exciting information to them before anyone else.

Announce contests just for your team with prizes that show your appreciation.

Each street team member receives a free book, soft cover or e-copy, before it’s officially released. Many times the publisher will provide the books.

For each member, include a letter and follow-up with an e-mail giving them tips on how to promote the book and links to review sites. Provide tweetables and Facebook posts to make it easy for them. Also give them the links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Bub, CBD, Goodreads, etc. to help when posting a review. Members are able to read the book and post reviews on the day of or shortly after the release. Every alert the writer receives in which a street team member has posted a review is given a personal thank-you.

Make sure bookmarks are sent for members to distribute to bookstores.

Invite street team members to book signings and events: share a hug or a cup of coffee before the event. Recognize and reward their importance.

If a team member is a part of a reader group, offer to conduct a phone chat or online session when they meet.

What does my street team do when I’m not promoting a new title?

This special group of people has other benefits too. They offer ideas for promotion, books, blogs, contests, prizes. In addition they are alpha readers, help name characters, pets, and offer suggestions for plot. Through social media and face to face venues, they help bring a writer to family, neighbors, friends, churches, bookstores, online organizations, community groups, radio interviews, and TV personalities.

Have contests – just because they are special to you.

What if a member resigns?

As in every endeavor, a team member may choose to resign from her role. Before a new book campaign begins, send a note at the end of the weekly update requesting members to contact you privately if they will no longer be able to participate. Be sure to thank them for their service and invite them to return in the future.

A street team soon becomes more than a community who enjoys a writer’s books, they become family.

What has been your experience with a street team?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.