How to Promote a Self-Published Book
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
You’ve just finished writing a book and have self-published it, and you’re rightfully feeling proud of your accomplishment. But now, it’s time to promote your book so that people will actually read it. A lot of writers discover the hard way that the drafting and revision and publishing part comes naturally … but how to promote a self-published book is a completely different ball game. Here are some essential tips for promoting your self-published book.
Book Promotion Tips: Define Your Audience
Having an online presence is essential in today’s world if you want to reach as many potential readers as possible. Creating a website or blog gives readers the opportunity to learn more about you, read excerpts from your book, and purchase the book itself via links or affiliate links. It also provides an opportunity for comments and discussion which can help build relationships with other authors, publishing companies, and readers. This is the first step in how to promote a self-published book. You will especially want to collect email addresses through a lead magnet or other strategies so that you can maintain lines of communication with your target audience.
How to Promote a Self-Published Book: Social Media
Social media is another great way to learn how to promote a self-published book. Use platforms like Twitter/X and Instagram to share teasers from the book or fun related content; use Facebook groups to connect with other writers and readers; or create YouTube videos about the process of writing the book or behind-the-scenes looks at how you wrote it. Social media book promotion gets people talking about your book, generates interest in its release date, and ultimately brings more people in to buy it. Be careful that you don’t spam your audience, though, or only talk about yourself. This is not how to promote a self-published book, and you might find that audiences disengage when you’re only asking them to buy your product instead of providing interesting content or commentary.
How to Promote a Self-Published Book: Networking Events
Networking is the lifeblood of the publishing industry. Before you are likely to reach readers at large, you will be able to tap your personal and professional network. Book promotion starts with reaching out to other writers, especially those in your category or genre. Join relevant Facebook groups, online writing communities and attend book festivals and writer’s conferences. Check out local writing groups and offer to do an author talk. Think about unconventional locations for presentations to reach new audiences and sell books directly to readers. Make sure to partner with a local independent bookstore that will be willing to order and sell books for you at any event you run.
Book Promotion Tips: Utilize Book Promotion Services
Attending networking events (online or in person) to your book marketing activities allows you to meet other authors who have experienced similar situations as yourself. This is an important tool in how to promote a self-published book. Networking events provide an opportunity for collaboration between authors on projects such as joint marketing efforts or promotional campaigns that can help increase visibility for everyone involved. Consider newsletter swaps with others working in your genre. This is a low-cost yet high-impact idea for how to promote a self-published book. Additionally, attending real-world networking events, writer’s conferences, and writing workshops can be great for building relationships with local publishing partners like libraries or independent bookstores that may host author signings or other special events related to books. If you pitch a workshop or talk, you might even get to present at an event about your topic or the writing and publishing process, which will do wonders for your credibility.
Learning how to promote a self-published book can seem overwhelming at first, but by following these tips—creating a website and/or blog, using social media platforms for writers strategically, attending networking events—you can make sure that your hard work reaches its intended audience! With dedication and perseverance (and maybe a little bit of luck), you’ll soon be on your way to becoming a successful self-published author with a playbook of successful promotion strategies under your belt.
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