There are a lot of ways to market and publicize your books. Too many to mention actually, but then I thought it might be fun to try! Here is a list, which we can continue to add to in the future. Overall, the thing to keep in mind is what you love to do, what will work with your schedule, and what items can you take from this list and make them your own. The most important piece is your own creativity with regard to your book and its messages, so with that in mind, let’s jump right in!
20 Powerful Strategies to Market & Publicize Your Books with Gusto!
Author interviews: Setting up interviews with the media is a great way to generate publicity for your book. We focus on this a lot here via “Earned Media,” “You Media,” and “Borrowed or Rented Media,” including podcasts, blogs, print, on-camera TV, radio and other types of interviews whether they are “earned” or your own content generation.
Author guest posts: Writing guest posts for relevant blogs and websites can help to get an author’s name and book in front of a new audience.
Podcast appearances: Being a guest on relevant podcasts can be an effective way to promote the book and connect with potential readers. Even better, start a podcast. Interview others in your genre where you have a mutual audience. This way you can cross promote each other and both build your audiences.
Book signings and events: Hosting a book signing or event can draw attention to a new book release. It can create buzz and generate interest among potential readers. This could include a reading, Q&A, or book signing. Remember to notify local media.
Book reviews: Offering review copies of the book to media outlets and book bloggers can result in reviews and articles being written about the book, increasing its visibility. This is different from gathering Amazon reviews, although they are very important once the book pubs.
Social media buzz: Utilizing social media platforms can spread the word about a new book. Creating posts and tweets about the book as well as encouraging others to share the posts, can help to create buzz and drive book sales. Careful not to be too salesy with this one. (More on this another time.)
Awards and recognition: Submitting a book to relevant award programs can result in recognition and increased visibility for the work.
Book trailers: Creating a short book trailer can be an effective way to capture potential readers’ attention and generate interest in the book.
Book clubs: Reaching out to book clubs and offering to send copies of the book can potentially result in reviews or discussions about the book on social media.
Book club guides: Creating a book club guide to accompany the book can help to promote it to book clubs and generate discussions.
Influencer endorsements: Partnering with social media influencers or bloggers whose niches align with the book’s genre or themes can help to generate buzz and create interest among their followers.
Virtual tours and readings: Now that most are comfortable attending events online, virtual book tours and readings can be a great way to connect with readers who may not have been able to attend an in-person event.
Book giveaways: Holding a book giveaway on social media or other platforms can generate interest in the book, as well as help to grow the author’s social media following. It can also be used as a way to build your list.
Book collaborations: Collaborating with other authors, illustrators, or content creators can help to generate buzz and create interest in the book. Each of you has a network and you can share.
Public speaking engagements: Speaking at relevant events or conferences or other locations can be a great way to promote the book and connect with potential readers.
Library talks and presentations: Offering to give talks and presentations at local libraries can be a great way to reach a new audience and generate interest in your book.
Book-related merchandise: Creating book-related merchandise, such as bookmarks or posters featuring the cover art, can be an effective way to promote the book and connect with readers.
Book-to-screen adaptations: Exploring the possibility of adapting the book into a movie or TV show can generate buzz and create interest in the book.
Writing workshops and classes: Offering writing workshops or classes related to the book’s themes or topics can help to establish you as an authority and create interest in your book.
Book-related tours: Creating a tour related to the book’s themes or topics can generate interest and create buzz around the book. For example, a historical fiction book set in a particular city could have a tour of important historical landmarks related to the book. I have also worked on a book where we scheduled home parties along with a public event so that media opportunities could be set up in each location.
Remember: the key to successful book publicity is to be creative and find ways to get the book in front of potential readers. Think about what makes your book unique and tailor promotional efforts accordingly.
Bottom line
These are just a few ideas to consider when planning book publicity. The key is to think creatively and find ways to generate buzz and excitement around the book. I will be creating a part two soon, so if you would like to add some ideas, let me know. Also, for those who request it, I will go into each one of the above ideas in more detail so that you will know exactly what to do!
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. Strategy. It’s everything.
P.P.S. Spoiler alert: Don’t watch this if you still intend to watch The Queen’s Gambit.
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