Posted: July 23, 2024
You’re preparing to release your book, but you have no idea where to begin promoting it. Perhaps you even find it hard to talk about your book in general. Not to worry. Many authors—especially self-published authors—struggle with this. Here’s where to begin:
When it comes to selling a book, you can’t just release it and expect people to buy—especially if it’s your first book. Buyers will be hesitant to try someone new. How do they know if they’ll enjoy your writing? This goes double for self-published authors, who get a bad reputation from the people out there that just want to make a quick buck from a book and haven’t gone through the arduous editing process that you have. So, how do you build that trust and interest?
Start doing this AT LEAST 6 months in advance. Typically, this is done while you’re still writing the book. Do you have a separate social media account for yourself as an author? Do you have a website? A blog? An email list? This is a great time to start building your brand.
[Related Article: Setting Up an Author Website]
Widespread attention is great, but the aim is to attract the best audience for your book from the get-go. Not every book is right for every person. To determine who your ideal audience is, get these things straight about your book:
[Related Article: What is a Target Audience?]
Once you know this information, determine where your audience spends their time and join those communities. It may be daunting to be “the new person” in an established group, but everyone starts somewhere. Immerse yourself. Begin by giving back first. Answer other people’s questions. Ask questions about them. Share the books you’re reading or activities (relating to the topic) that you’re doing. Be active and valuable.
Start specifically promoting your book about 8 weeks before the release date. Now that you’ve slowing begun building an audience, the task is to keep them engaged. Get them involved by setting up polls (which book cover they like best, etc.), sharing your progress (a desk full of your printed manuscript as you go through it), and perhaps even dropping a fun fact or two (that you’ve learned while writing).
There are fun things you can share as well. If your book is set in a real location, don’t be shy about sharing pictures of places where your scenes take place. If you have a pet that helps you with your writing, share some pics of their antics (people always love animals!).
Don’t be afraid to get creative with the posts that you’re sharing about your book and your writing. See which posts get the most attention and where. In writing groups, sharing advice about writing that you’ve learned is a great way to build rapport with your fellow writers. In fiction/reader groups, people will likely be more interested in book recommendations and/or comments about tropes, authors, and genre. Maybe even share a meme or two to get a laugh!
[Related Article: What is Book Promotion?]
[Related Article: What is a Book Launch?]
Start posting promotional pictures MINIMUM 4 weeks before the date of the book’s official release. At this point, your book should be completed and ready for ARC readers. The cover should be decided and the final proofread should be accepted. This is the point in time where you will be looking for ARC readers. Maybe even open things up for pre-orders.
[Related Article: What is an ARC Reader?]
Your promotional posts will always include the book’s cover, title, and release date. Try experimenting with your media. They can include any of the following:
You can also use these posts to build your email list even more. Some authors give away a free sample chapter of their book in exchange for signing up for an email list. Are you giving potential subscribers the right incentive to join?
Even if your first book isn’t a success, it will still build interest in your second book, your third book, and beyond. Stay on top of things; don’t disappear for months on end; stay valuable and engaging to your audience.
Setting Up an Author Website
What is a Target Audience?
What is Book Promotion?
What is a Book Launch?
What is an ARC Reader?
Free Promo—Strategies to Promote Your Book
Tigerpetal Press is a small book press dedicated to publishing local authors and poets.