Explore Book Marketing Strategies in the Digital Age
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Writing a book is a monumental accomplishment, but getting it in the hands of readers isn’t as easy as publishing it. As technology has advanced, there are many more digital tools competing for attention, so traditional marketing methods aren't enough to get your work seen by potential readers. Here are some helpful book marketing strategies suited for the modern age.
Book Marketing Strategies: Build an Online Presence
The first step in successful book marketing strategies is creating an online presence for yourself and your book is essential for success in today’s digital world. Start by building a website specifically for your book (or books) that includes an “About Me” page, blog, press kit, and contact information. Make sure the content is SEO-friendly with carefully researched keywords so that readers can easily find you when they search online. Additionally, create social media accounts on platforms such as Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook to showcase your work and connect with readers directly.
Book Marketing Strategies: Make Connections with Influencers
Reach out to influencers—people who have large followings on social media for writers or blogs—who are in the same industry or even genre of writing as you are. Ask them if they would be willing to review or share your work with their followers. This will help spread the word about your book while also boosting credibility among potential readers who may not have heard of it otherwise. If you can get a celebrity endorsement from someone who has read and enjoyed your work, that could be even better. You could also try paid influencer marketing to tap into the lucrative BookTok phenomenon, as long as your work fits a category that’s currently trending. Word of mouth is one of the most effective book marketing strategies, and that hasn’t changed in the digital age. Everything contributes to book marketing, including reviews, as these provide social proof that real people are enjoying your work.
Book Marketing Strategies: Online Ads and Reviews
If you have a budget for marketing, consider investing in budget-friendly book marketing strategies. Online ads such as Google Ads, Meta Ads allow people to see what you’re offering even if they don’t know about it yet. Amazon Ads can be a powerful tool here as well. Additionally, reviews on Amazon or Goodreads can help boost visibility and sales of your book, even before publication. If you’re able to and you create a marketing plan ahead of time, you can leverage early reviewer copies sent to your street team, email newsletter list, or given away for free via social media to get some reviews going ahead of publication. Lastly, consider running giveaways through social media or websites like BookFunnel to help generate interest in your work and get more people talking about it. These can all be aspects of book marketing strategies.
Marketing a book isn't easy, but with some thoughtful book marketing strategies and hard work, it can be done. The key is to think outside the box when it comes to getting attention for your work; utilizing modern tools such as a social media platform for writers, influencers, ads, giveaways, and more will ensure that more eyes see (and hopefully love!) what you have created. With these tips in hand, you'll be able to successfully make a game plan of book marketing strategies that you can use again and again.
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