Planning how to market a book when you are still new on the scene can feel overwhelming; however, with effective techniques, it is possible to get your book in front of those who will hopefully engage.
This article enlists some book promotion tricks for new authors.
1. Build an Author Platform
Build your online platform long before your book is released. Design a website where you post regular content as well as an about and books section. Your website is the center of all your sales and marketing efforts. Interact with readers on social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). Post content about your book, writing process, and personal interests. You also want to begin creating an email list by giving away a chapter or something exclusive to get them signed in their inbox.
2. Leverage Social Media
Social media is one of the most powerful ways that you can connect with people who may be interested in reading what you write. Give updates on your writing progress, as well as cover reveals and launch dates. Grab their attention with some eye-catching visuals and some great captions. Comment back to start up a conversation, join conversations happening in the comments section, or tag your work on relevant groups/hashtags that will give your posts some visibility. You can also host giveaways and contests around the book, such as signed copies, exclusive content, etc.
3. Utilize Book Reviewers and Bloggers
Reviews create credibility and visibility. Send out review copies to book bloggers, influencers, or reviewers in your genre. Instead, personalize your outreach to stand above the rest. Submit your book to review websites and platforms such as Goodreads, and make sure to ask people who read the book to leave a review or rating. Good reviews can increase the trust of your book and encourage others to read it.
4. Optimize Your Amazon Listing
Amazon is the largest selling platform for many authors. Make sure you stand out by creating a great book description that entices people to click through and read your content. Select relevant categories and keywords for better searchability. Spend money getting a decent-looking cover that fits the genre and content of your book. A properly optimized Amazon listing can drastically improve the visibility and marketability of your book.
5. Host a Book Launch Event
A successful book launch can create huge initial sales and lots of noise. Plan a virtual book launch, e.g., on Zoom or Facebook Live, with friends and family, with people who have sent you messages. To take it into real-time, team up with local bookstores, libraries, or cafes for a launch event where you read from your new release, answer questions afterward, and then sign copies.
6. Collaborate with Other Authors
Connecting with other writers can also help broaden your audience. Guest post on other authors’ blogs or invite them to write something for your blog; you will have access to a new group of readers. Collaborate on a joint promotion, such as a shared newsletter or social media campaign, which will enable you to reach an even larger group of people.
7. Invest in Paid Advertising
Yes, organic reach is great, but paid advertising will increase the exposure of your book. Run targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to get your book in front of people who like the genre of your book. With Amazon’s ad platform, you can target readers looking for books in your genre. Promotions on reader bases like BookBub also tend to result in high sales for obvious reasons.Remember, marketing is a living thing, which means that you should never stop experimenting and learning new ways to market your book. Got any questions? Reach out to us and schedule a consultation today.