If you’re researching book marketing, I’m going to assume that you’ve already at least started to write your book and don’t need a lecture on how to write. Marketing your new book, however, may be a different story…
Sadly, many publishing houses don’t provide their authors with the proper tools for marketing their new books. Once I realized this, I wanted to give new authors a basic overview of what they need to do to promote their book baby.
The process can be overwhelming, especially when you just don’t know where to start. Trying to do everything all at once can be frustrating and disheartening. Take it step-by-step, one task at a time. Eventually, you’ll be able to start checking items off that list, and the process may feel a bit less daunting.
And speaking of lists, check out this overview list to get you started on your book promotion journey:
- Build a social media presence
- Form a street team
- Host a book launch
- Start a blog and newsletter
- Ask for professional help
Build a Social Media Presence
If you haven’t done so already, building a social media presence should be high on your to-do list. Just about everything else you will need to do to promote your book will be based on readers and followers. Social media is a necessary evil to find all of those fantastic people who will want to read your books. Many of your potential readers find their books through Instagram and TikTok. They follow along with their favorite authors on Facebook and Twitter. It’s important to get yourself out there. Follow a few people per day, and eventually, things will pick up.
You will definitely want to post quite a bit about your book: blurbs, inspiration and character photos/videos/reels, reviews from beta readers, etc. But posting personal stories and quotes that inspire you, sharing posts from other authors, and things like that will let your readers see the wonderful person you are in addition to being an awesome author.
Build Relationships with Readers and Fellow Authors
It may seem like a no-brainer (this is a basic post about promoting your book, after all…), but you’ll need to be sure to interact with others’ posts, as well. Yes, that means commenting, liking, and sharing their posts. For me, that’s a tough one. I’m an introvert, through and through. But in order for people to see that you’re out there and that you appreciate their work and ideas, they need to actually SEE that you’re out there. Making thoughtful comments on posts and photos shows potential readers and new friends that you are truly interested in the things they post–which will lead to them caring about what you post.
Follow other authors and book bloggers from your own genre. Some of them will follow you back and may just help out with promotion, especially if you help share their posts, as well.
Bloggers and influencers may be a resource to check out as well. Often, authors will reach out to influencers and book bloggers to ask them to feature their new book. However, they will usually request a physical copy of the book instead of a digital copy which can be a large out-of-pocket expense for you.
Building your social media presence will be an ongoing project so you’ll work on it quite a bit. But the sooner you get started, the sooner you can start growing a great following.
Form a Street Team
A street team and a book launch are super important because they get people reading, sharing, and talking about your book. The point is to get your book in front of as many eyes as possible.
Once you’ve started increasing your social media following, work on creating your street team. Recruit your friends and family who read and who want to support you. (Or who just want to support you!) You’ll also need to blast it out on all of your social media accounts that you’re looking for readers to post about your book and share graphics and videos. Usually, you also send the members an e-ARC so that they can read it ahead of the release date and post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, BookBub, their own social media accounts, etc.
Once you’ve got your street team going, you’ll want to consider hosting a book launch.
Host a Book Launch
A book launch is kind of like a book-themed online party that helps promote your new book and introduce it to the world. It will usually include your street team as well as anyone on social media who wants to join. The party-goers will post and share purchase and pre-order links (if you have pre-orders set up) in their posts or bios along with the graphics you provide them. Book launches usually include a cover reveal, several graphics with quotes from the book, videos or reels, release dates, snippets of reviews–that kind of thing.
A giveaway that requires shares, likes, follows, and tagging is a fun way to increase engagement in your book launch. That helps get more eyes on your book and profile page. It could be a physical book or a Kindle copy or something else related to your book. You may want to consider creating some promotional swag for your book. T-shirts, bookmarks, postcards, character art, etc. are nice freebies and giveaway items for your winners and loyal readers.
Start a Blog and Newsletter
You’re a writer so this should come easy to you, right? Ok, maybe not, but it’s something that gets the attention of your readers. If a blog really isn’t your thing, you may consider putting out an occasional newsletter. It doesn’t have to be daily or even weekly. It should just be something to keep your readers informed on what’s going on with your books and other relevant (or not so relevant) things. Get them interested in signing up by offering a freebie: a bonus chapter, some kind of printable associated with your work, or something else to grab their attention and want to hear more from you.
Ask for Professional Help
Book Launching Services
These are professionals whom I respect and trust to do amazing work so I’m including information about their book launching services here. I’m sure there are others who provide that service as well so feel free to do your own research.
Bestselling author and owner of Quill & Flame Publishers, AJ Skelly has a DIY book launch kit on her Etsy shop if you want to do it yourself Book Launch DIY – Etsy. AJ Skelly does a phenomenal job with her authors so I’m sure this is full of helpful information.
Jessica Gwyn runs a book launching service called Gwyn Launches Books. Fill out an inquiry form on her website or email her at BookLaunches@gwynedits.com to discuss having her handle a book launch for you.
Karen Sargent is another wonderful option for book launching services. She has a DIY book launch package on the Books and Whimsy Etsy page or you can email her at Karen@KarenSargent.com for more information about her services.
Ask Your Publisher
It’s entirely possible that your publisher may have helpful information available to you. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
Have Fun!
I know, easier said than done. But writing and publishing a book is a huge accomplishment! Try to enjoy the process as much as possible.
**If your manuscript is still in need of editing, check out my provided services here.**
