Many clients come to us after finishing their books, unsure of the next steps. Writing a book is just the beginning; the next challenge you need to face is getting it into the hands of readers. As a self-published author, you have the power to shape your book’s journey.
What book marketing can do and why it matters
Marketing makes the world go ‘round. There, we said it. You can sell anything, as long as people believe they need it. Now, we aren’t going to go into the psychology of marketing, but it would help to remember that sometimes all it takes is a good story. Since you’ve written a book already, we’re confident in saying you likely know what that story is.
Marketing a book is crucial because it bridges the gap between your work and your readers. A well-written book won’t find its audience without visibility. Effective marketing ensures that your book reaches the right people, builds your author brand, and ultimately drives sales. It’s about making sure your hard work gets the recognition it deserves.
Since we want to demystify every step of the way for you, let’s run through some actionable tips to help you get your book out there and into the hands of eager readers.
Getting noticed: Essential tips
Have a strong online presence
Nowadays, if people can’t find you on the internet, you may as well not exist. Having a dedicated blog or website is a cornerstone of a successful book marketing strategy. Your website serves as your home base, a place where potential readers can learn more about you and your work.
Regularly updating your site with articles, insights, and excerpts can engage your audience and keep them coming back for more. For example, if you have a book on spirituality, update your blog with ways people can keep up their spiritual practice while lifting excerpts and insights from your book.
Having a website is also a great way to build your mailing list. With this, you’ll find out who really wants to get to know more about you, your book, and what else you have in store. You can directly communicate with your audience, keep them informed about your book’s progress, release dates, and special promotions. This ongoing engagement can create anticipation and build a loyal reader base before your book even launches.
Get social
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even LinkedIn are powerful tools for connecting with readers and promoting your book.It’s like fishing in the right pond; you need to know where your audience spends time online. There’s no point in casting your line where the fish don’t bite.
Setting up an author page on these platforms allows you to share updates, engage with followers, and participate in conversations about your genre or topics related to your book.
Observing which posts get the most engagement (note: these can vary depending on the platform!) can provide valuable insights into what resonates with your audience. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process, snippets from your book, or engaging questions, use these insights to refine your social media strategy.
Listen and learn
Your story may be uniquely yours, but it will always fit into a genre. One of the best ways to understand what works in your genre is to study the best-selling books.
What is it about them that people enjoy and engage with? Is it their cover designs? The titles? The typography? How are these books marketed? This analysis can help you make informed decisions about your book’s presentation and what your audience will likely interact with.
Reading reviews of popular books might also help you gauge what people like or dislike about books within the same genre. This insight can guide you in crafting your book’s metadata and marketing messages, so that they resonate with your target audience.
Get people talking
Don’t be afraid to have your book read. You can start out with close friends and family, what’s important is having someone read it!
Reviews build credibility and attract new readers. If you’ve written a book before, you know how this goes, but you could reach out to people who have previously reviewed your work, and offer them a free copy of your new book. If you’re a first-time author, consider approaching top reviewers on platforms like Amazon or Goodreads who specialize in your genre. Ask them if they would be willing to review your book, for free!
Goodreads, in particular, is a valuable platform for gathering reviews even before your book is officially released. Remember, the more reviews you have, the more social proof your book has, which can significantly impact its success.
Exploring paid advertising
While marketing often focuses on organic growth, paid advertising, such as Amazon ads, can also play a crucial role in your strategy. Let’s face it, competition is stiff, and there is no shame in using paid ads to get a little further.
Amazon ads allow you to target readers based on specific search terms and similar books. This can help your book reach a highly relevant audience, increasing the likelihood of sales.
Although there is a learning curve and some upfront costs, a well-executed ad campaign can significantly boost your book’s visibility and sales.
Ask an expert
If you’re entirely new to this and feel completely at a loss, it’s always a good idea to reach out to an expert. That’s where we come in!
At 3 ferns, we understand that marketing can be overwhelming, especially for self-published authors. That’s why you can get expert guidance with Leesa Ellis, a self-publishing expert. She’ll help you come up with personalized marketing plans and strategic advice that will show you how to navigate the complexities of book promotion, ensuring your story reaches the audience it deserves.
The book-end
We know we covered quite a bit of ground for marketing your book, but really we have only scratched the surface. The most important thing to remember when marketing your book is to know your brand.
Knowing your author brand will dictate exactly how, where, and to whom you want to market your book. If you stay true to yourself, and your story, you’ll find that planning out your marketing strategy will be a breeze.
Reach out to us
If you want to discuss this more in-depth, contact us today to learn how we can help you specify your book marketing strategy. Your story is worth being told, and we’re here to make sure it gets the audience it deserves.
