Writing your book is only half the battle. Once your book is ready to launch, you face a whole new challenge. How you get people to find it?
With millions of books available online, your next great-read could go undiscovered if you don’t know how to market your book.
The good news is that you don’t need a big budget to reach readers and build a successful author career. Many indie authors gain loyal fans simply by putting in the work and learning how to market books effectively.
Whether this is your debut novel or your twentieth book, the following tips will help you gain visibility and expand your audience.
1. Start Marketing Before You Launch
Starting promotion pre-launch is one of the most important book marketing tips for new authors. Don’t wait until launch day to announce your book is available.
Instead try… Sharing updates about your book process on social media Reveal your cover Tease your book with behind-the-scenes photos Create a book launch countdown Email subscribers before your launch date A launch can begin months before your book ever releases.
2. Invest in a Professional Book Cover
Think of your book cover like a book within a book. When selling your eBook or paperback, your cover is your greatest marketing asset. People see your cover before they read your title, sales copy, or reviews. When browsing online shelves, a professionally designed cover will catch the eye of potential readers and entice them to click.
Make sure your book cove fits your genre Uses professional typography Is clear and easy to read as a thumbnail Appeals to your target audience Creates curiosity Buying an exclusive premade book cover is a popular option because it’s the quickest way to grab aspiring authors’ attention. When your book stands out on retailer searches with an attractive cover, more people will click through to read your description and preview your content.
3. Write a Book Description That SELLS
Your book description is your pitch to potential readers. It should tease your story and compel readers to click without giving away major plot points.
Keep these elements in your book description: An intriguing opening hook The central conflict or “what readers will discover” Emotional value Your ideal reader doesn’t want a summary, they want a reason to read your book. Write your description using short paragraphs that are easily scanned on mobile phones.
4. Build Your Email List
You can post on social media until you’re blue in the face, but those platforms don’t owe you anything. Algorithms can change at any time, limiting the reach of your organic posts.
When you own your email list, readers can’t lose access to your content, even if you pay for it. Grow your email subscribers by offering: A free short story Bonus chapter(s) Bonus content e.g., character artwork, world building Extras Only newsletter updates Early access to your next release Send newsletters to keep your readers engaged. Emails encourage repeat sales when new books become available.
5. Optimize Your Amazon Bookshelf Display
The product page you create when publishing with Amazon KDP is more than just a placeholder. Treat your book’s Amazon listing like a marketing channel all its own.
Optimize these elements to improve discoverability and conversion rate:
- Book title
- Book subtitle
- Keywords
- Categories
- Book description
- Author bio
Making minor tweaks to your listing can greatly influence how your book performs in searches. (And no, you don’t need to buy keywords or categories.)
6. Build Your Author Brand
People don’t care how much you know about publishing a book until they know how much you care about them. Your brand is an opportunity to demonstrate your personality and connect with potential readers.
Consistently use your brand colors, fonts, and tone across: Your website Social media bios Newsletter Email signature Book covers Blog content or flyers Having a defined brand makes your content instantly recognizable which can lead to more exposure and book sales over time.
7. Be Social on Social Media
Want to know the secret to social media? There is no secret. You don’t have to be everywhere your readers are… just somewhere.
Pick one or two social media platforms your readers already use and show up consistently. Don’t just post when you have a new book to sell. Share a variety of content to build relationships including:
- Writing/reading updates
- Book quotes Reading suggestions
- Cover reveals
- Behind-the-scenes photos
- Reader reviews
8. Ask Your Readers for Reviews
Online reviews aren’t just for restaurants. When browsing books, readers often seek out reviews to help them decide whether or not to make a purchase.
Help readers find your book by politely asking them to leave a review. You can squeeze this message at the end of your book or reach out to:
- ARC readers
- Bloggers Review sites
- Review chains
- Book clubs
- Reading groups
Simply remember that you should never pay for reviews or spam reviewers. Let readers know how much you appreciate their feedback by following retailer guidelines.
9. Create Beautiful Promotional Graphics
Would you rather read a wall of text or look at a nice picture? Chances are you (and potential readers) prefer eye-catching graphics over plain text.
Create promotional graphics for:
- X (formerly Twitter)
Your blog Feed Email campaigns Save time by starting with professionally-designed mockups and adding your book cover.
10. Don’t Just Launch – Plan to Market
Posting about your book once then forgetting about it until your next release isn’t going to cut it. Plan a comprehensive book launch marketing schedule that goes beyond one social media post. Include:
- Social media updates
- Email newsletters
- Website announcements
- Coupons or Discounts
- Blog articles
- Reader giveaways
Giving your books the proper marketing push during launch periods helps gain traction that will continue spreading long after release day.
11. Connect with Other Authors
Authors love helping other authors. It’s a time-honored tradition in the writing community that has helped countless writers find success.
Support other authors by…
- Trading newsletter subscriptions
- Hosting joint giveaways
- Running collaborated promotions
- Interviewing each other on podcast
Crossing-blog guest posting You’re not their competition, especially if you write in different genres. Supporting one another is a win-win for both authors and can expose your books to new readers.
12. Create Content They Will WANT to Read
Great content pulls readers towards you. Blog posts, interviews, podcasts, videos—these are all powerful examples of content marketing.
Ways you can create content:
- Writing advice
- Publishing tips
- Backstories for your characters
- Recommended reading
- Suggestions from your characters Interview your characters
- Offer recipes from your book
- Host themed weeks or months
- Posting regular blog content can also help drive organic traffic to your author website
Readers will find you by searching for the valuable information you provide.
13. Run Promotions That Get Results
Nothing will build your readership faster than offering your books for less. Limited-time promotions create a sense of urgency that will compel thinking readers to take action.
Promotions you can run include:
- Launch discounts
- Seasonal discounts
- Box set promotions
- Free first-book in a series
Don’t forget about price-changing eBooks. Many readers love seeing what’s discounted in your chosen genre. (Hint: That’s exactly where you should be placing your books during a promotion.)
14. Track Your Marketing Metrics
If you don’t know where you’re going how will you know how close you are to arriving? Key marketing metrics allow you to track what you should improve… and what you’re doing right.
Important book marketing metrics include:
- Website traffic
- Email open rates
- Sales numbers
- Ad campaign data
- Social Media metrics
Proof? You’ll know which. By tracking your marketing efforts, you can refine your strategies and spend more time doing what works.
15. Be Patient and Stay Consistent
You can expect most of your book promotion efforts to feel like throwing pants into the wind. But don’t give up! Every successful indie author has been where you are right now.
Marketing isn’t a one-time deal. As you publish new books throughout the year you can… Release blog content Grow your email list Connect with new readers Improve your old books’ listings Run seasonal promotions. The more you put into your author platform the more you will get out of it. Stay dedicated and your sales WILL rise.
Final words
Book marketing doesn’t have to be daunting. You don’t need to know how to do everything right away. First things first: have a professionally selling book, optimize your online book listings, build your email list, and stay engaged with your readers consistently.
Keep in mind that book marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. Every blog post you write, newsletter you send out, review you get, and reader you interact with is a stepping stone toward your success down the road.
Use these 15 book marketing tips to give your books the best chance to be discovered by more readers, establish your brand as an author, and build a lucrative self-publishing career. Do what you can to provide value, stay quality-focused, and just keep pushing—your efforts will add up.