Not sure how to market a self-published book, no problem! These tips will make you a book marketing expert in no time.
Start with a strong book.
The most important thing you can do to market your book is to write a great one. If your book is well-written and engaging, people will be more likely to buy it.
Create a compelling book cover.
Your book cover is the first thing people will see, so making a good impression is essential. Choose a cover that is visually appealing and accurately represents the content of your book.
Write a strong blurb.
The blurb is the summary of your book that appears on the back cover or Amazon. Make sure your blurb is well-written and attention-grabbing.
Marketing a Self-Published Book
Now that the given is out of the way let’s get down to what you really want to know, how to market a self-published book!
Get Good Reviews!
Getting reviews for your self-published book takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Positive reviews can help you sell more books and build a loyal following of readers. Here is how you can get more reviews:
Ask your friends, family, and beta readers to leave reviews. These are the people who are most likely to be supportive of your book, so they’re a great place to start.
Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers. There are many book bloggers and reviewers out there who are always looking for new books to read. Send them a copy of your book and ask them to leave a review.
Run a review contest. This is a great way to get people excited about your book and to generate some buzz. Offer a prize, such as a free copy of your book or a gift card, to the person who leaves the best review.
Attend book signings and events. This is a great way to connect with potential readers and get them to leave a review. Be sure to bring plenty of copies of your book to sell and to sign.
Promote your book on social media. Share your book on social media and encourage your followers to leave a review. You can also use social media to connect with other authors and book bloggers who may be interested in reviewing your book.
Promote Your Self-Published Book Online
The world has gone digital, and so has marketing. The best place to market your self-published book is to utilize the internet. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the resources the web offers.
Social media: Social media is a great way to connect with potential readers and promote your book. Share your book on social media and use relevant hashtags so that people can find it. You can also run contests and giveaways to generate interest in your book.
Blog posts: Blog posts are a great way to share your thoughts on your book and promote it to your readers. Write blog posts about your book, your writing process, and your thoughts on the genre. Be sure to include links to your book in your blog posts.
Email marketing: Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your readers and promote your book. Create an email list of your readers and send them regular updates about your book, such as new releases, upcoming events, and special offers.
Use relevant keywords: When promoting your book online, be sure to use relevant keywords so that people can find it when searching for books online. Research what keywords are popular for your book’s genre and use them in your marketing materials.
Work with Book Bloggers and YouTubers
One of the best ways to expand your audience is to reach out and work with book bloggers and YouTubers.
Do your research. Before you reach out to any book bloggers or reviewers, take some time to research their interests and what types of books they typically review. This will help ensure you send your book to the right people. For example, if you wrote a self-published fantasy book, you wouldn’t want to reach out to someone who only reads and reviews romance or lit-fic. Make sure your book is a match for them and their audience before you reach out.
Reach out politely and professionally. When you contact book bloggers and reviewers, do so politely and professionally. Introduce yourself and your book, and explain why you think their readers would enjoy it.
Offer to send them a free copy of your book. Most book bloggers and reviewers are always looking for new books to read, so offering them a free copy of your book is a great way to get their attention.
Be patient. Not all book bloggers and reviewers will be able to review your book, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back from everyone you contact. Just keep at it, and eventually, you’ll find some people who are willing to help you promote your book.
Make it easy for them to say yes. When you reach out to book bloggers and reviewers, make it as easy as possible for them to say yes. Please include all of the information they need in your emails, such as the title of your book, the genre, and the publication date.
Follow up. Don’t be afraid to follow up if you don’t hear back from a book blogger or reviewer after a few weeks. A gentle reminder can go a long way.
Want the Bookish Mom to Share and Review Your Self-Published Fantasy Book?
If you want me to share your self-published fantasy or sci-fi book here or on my BookTube channel, you can check out this page to submit your request! I try to respond to every request, and even if I cannot do a full read and review for you, I try to include ALL self-published fantasy and sci-fi titles in my “Self-Published Discoveries” video and blog series.
Attend Signings and Author Events
Regarding how to market a self-published book, author and signing events are pivotal elements for your marketing plan. They are great ways to get your book and yourself out in your community, meet readers face-to-face, and make a great first impression.
Do your research. Before you attend any book signings or events, take some time to research the event and the audience. This will help you ensure that your book is a good fit for the event and that you’re targeting the right people.
Promote your book in advance. Tell people you’ll attend the event and have copies of your book for sale. You can promote your book on social media, your website, and your email newsletter.
Bring plenty of copies of your book. Bringing more copies of your book is always a good idea than you think you’ll need. You never know how many people will be interested in buying your book.
Be prepared to talk about your book. Be prepared to answer questions about your book and engage with potential readers. This is an excellent opportunity to sell books and build a following.
Have fun! Attending book signings and events should be a fun experience. Enjoy the opportunity to connect with potential readers and to share your work with the world.
Partner with other Authors
Another great way to market your self-published book is to partner with another author. This is a great way for both of you to market your books and reach new readers. But how do you go about partnering with other authors?
Find authors who write in the same genre as you. This will ensure that your target audience is the same.
Reach out to authors who you admire and respect. This will make it more likely that they will be interested in partnering with you.
Be specific about what you are looking for. Do you want to collaborate on a blog post? Maybe you want to do a guest post on their blog. Do you want to be interviewed on their podcast?
Be prepared to give as well as receive. If you ask for something from another author, be prepared to offer something in return. This could be a guest post on your blog, an interview on your podcast, or a promotion of their book on social media.
Be patient. It may take some time to find an author who is interested in partnering with you. Just keep at it; eventually, you will find someone who fits you well.
Build relationships. Please get to know other authors in your genre and build relationships with them. This will make it more likely that they will be interested in partnering with you.
Partnering with other authors can be a great way to reach a wider audience and build your brand. By following these tips, you can make the most of these opportunities.
Don’t Give Up
Marketing a self-published book takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep at it; eventually, you will start seeing sales.
Book lover, coffee addict, mom of dragons (aka rambunctious kids). I share book recs, mom life survival tips, and the occasional existential crisis.
[…] Self-publishing also means taking charge of marketing and promotion. Leverage social media platforms, create an author website, and engage with potential readers through blog posts, interviews, and guest appearances. Seek opportunities to collaborate with influencers or participate in local events to market your self-published book. […]