March 29, 2021
Book marketing is all about reaching your target audience. There are numerous ways to do this, including creating an author page, being a guest blogger on relevant sites, and posting on major social media sites. Once you’ve done the obvious, what are the next steps in marketing your book? Try these techniques to maximize your reach and move up your name and title in search engines.
Seven Book Marketing Ideas
- Create an author profile in Google+, then network with other authors, publishers, and readers. Be sure you have a tagline and image of your book cover in your profile. Link this site to your own author’s website or Facebook page.
- Create a YouTube video with the help of a professional. A book trailer, a scripted interview, and short clips about topics alluded to or used in your book are great ways to pique readers’ interest. For instance, if you write historical fiction, a short clip about the realities of women’s roles in that era would be interesting. For non-fiction writers, videos that offer a sampling of what readers can learn are excellent. Be sure to finish with something like, “You can learn more about this in my latest book, ________________, on sale now at retailers near you and on my website.”
- Donate your book to organizations and businesses. A few copies of your book placed in relevant businesses, along with a stack of business cards including a link to where readers can order it, is book marketing that most business owners will welcome. It doesn’t cost you more than the books’ price, and businesses have something to offer their clients. Lawyers and doctors will often put books about relevant topics in their waiting rooms. Churches, non-profits, and social clubs may also be interested.
- Book clubs are wonderful book marketing opportunities. Search the web for online book clubs, then approach them about your book. If you provide the moderator with a sample copy and extra resources such as a list of questions for discussion, you may turn a few donated books into multiple purchases. Book clubs also provide word-of-mouth advertising that can quickly mushroom.
- Take advantage of alternative search sites. Stumble Upon is a way for users to surf the Internet and discover new websites keyed to their interests. Submit your author page or website. People who might not have found you otherwise will “stumble upon” your URL and become interested in your book.
- Use Pinterest to your advantage. Surfing through Pinterest can suck up an awful lot of time, but it’s an easy way for people to curate whatever interests them. Millions of people search this website for quotes on everything from love to money and everything in between. Choose a few quotes from your book that are strong enough to stand alone, then frame them in a nice graphic and post to Pinterest. Be sure to include your book title and a link to your website.
- Prepare your elevator speech. This is a quick summary of your book that you can explain in 60 seconds. It’s called an elevator speech because you should be able to pitch your book quickly enough to tell someone you meet in an elevator. You never know when someone will ask you what you do for a living. When you say you’re a writer, they will ask about your book. Be ready.
Book marketing can launch your book’s success if done well. Don’t miss any opportunities to pitch your book wherever and whenever you can.