6 Ways for Authors to Gain Publicity for Their Book

authors Sep 09, 2023

Any authors in here?

Head over to grab your spot at the upcoming From Author to Iconic (November 15) $37USD workshop for authors!

Co-founder Bridget spent 3 years as the founder of a publishing company, so you could say she knows a thing or two about becoming an author.

You've likely poured your heart and soul into writing a book, and now it's time to promote your book. Gosh, where do you even start?

Writing, producing and publishing books are no easy feat—and now you have to also be a marketer?!

Here are our top tips to help you market your book, get the publicity you deserve and standout in a crowded literary world.

Let's take a moment to think about the end goal of being a published (and well-known author). Imagine this: your story, your words, being embraced by thousands of eager readers, your book becoming a topic of discussion in communities, and your name becoming synonymous with success. It's not just a dream; it's totally doable!

Utilize the Power of Social Media

Another effective way to gain publicity for your book is by utilizing the power of social media. In today's digital age as an author, you need to be using social media to connect with your audience, build your brand, and promote your books.

  • Social media allows you to engage directly with your readers and potential fans, providing a platform for ongoing conversations about your book. By creating and maintaining an active presence on social media, you can keep your audience updated on your book's progress, share excerpts or behind-the-scenes insights, and even run exclusive promotions or giveaways.
  • Platforms like Twitter (or X!), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer different opportunities to connect with various segments of your target audience. For example, Twitter's fast-paced and real-time nature allows for quick interactions and engagement, while Instagram's visual focus provides a great platform for sharing beautiful images related to your book.
  • When using social media, it's important to remember that it's not just about self-promotion. Building a genuine community of supportive readers and fellow authors is crucial. Engaging in conversations, sharing interesting content related to your book's genre or theme, and providing value to your audience can help you establish yourself as an authoritative and trusted voice in your niche.
  • To make the most of social media, here are our fav tips:
    • Choose the right platforms: Focus on platforms where your target audience loves to hangout. If your book has a strong visual component, platforms like Instagram or Pinterest might be a great fit.
    • Be consistent: Regularly posting and engaging with your audience helps to keep your book in their minds and increases the chances of them sharing your content. We love using scheduling platforms like Tailwind to help keep up with posting!
    • Use multimedia: Incorporate visuals, videos, or audio clips related to your book to make your social media posts more engaging and appealing to your audience.
    • Leverage hashtags: Research and use relevant hashtags that are popular among your target audience. This can help your posts reach a wider audience who may be interested in your book or its genre. You can use sites like Moz.com to help you research top hashtags.
    • Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, messages, and mentions from your readers. This shows that you appreciate their support and care about their opinions.
  • By utilizing the power of social media, you can extend the reach of your book beyond traditional marketing channels and connect directly with your target audience. It's an opportunity to build a community, share your passion for your book, and ignite excitement among potential readers.

Connect with Book Bloggers

Ok, this is totally a tip that not many writers know about. But there is an entire world of Book Bloggers! They literally blog about books, rate them and review them!

  • Book bloggers have become a highly influential group within the literary community. These bloggers have established themselves as trusted sources of book recommendations and reviews, and their opinions hold weight with their dedicated followers. Engaging with book bloggers can be a fantastic way to gain publicity for your book and reach a wider audience.
  • Start by identifying book bloggers whose interests align with your genre or topic. Research their blogs and social media platforms to get a sense of their style, tone, and the types of books they typically review. Look for bloggers who have a large following and regularly engage with their audience.
  • Once you have identified a few book bloggers that you believe would be a good fit for your book, reach out to them with a personalized and genuine message. Explain why you think your book would resonate with their audience and offer to provide them with a complimentary copy for review. Be sure to follow their preferred submission guidelines, which may include sending a physical copy or an e-book.
  • When a book blogger agrees to review your book, make sure to provide them with any additional information they may need, such as author interviews, headshots, cover photos, etc. Make it as easy as possible for them to write their review.
  • Once the reviews are posted, engage with the book bloggers and their audience by responding to comments and sharing the reviews on your own social media platforms. This will help to foster a sense of community and appreciation between you, the book blogger, and their followers. Remember, this is a symbiotic relationship - the book blogger is providing valuable publicity for your book, and in turn, you can help drive traffic to their blog and increase their visibility.

Host a Virtual (or In-Person!) Book Launch

Hosting a virtual book launch (or in-person) is another effective way for authors to gain publicity and connect with their audience on a broader scale. In today's digital age, where online platforms have become the new gathering places, a virtual book launch allows authors to reach a global audience without the restrictions of time or location.

  • To host a successful virtual book launch, it's essential to plan and promote the event in advance. Utilize your social media platforms, email list, and website to spread the word about the launch. Create visually appealing graphics (Canva.com!) or videos to capture the attention of your audience and showcase the vibe of your book.
  • During the virtual book launch, consider including elements such as author readings, live Q&A sessions, and interactive activities to engage your audience. This not only allows participants to connect with you directly but also brings a sense of excitement and exclusivity to the event.
  • Just like with physical book launches, it's crucial to offer freebies and gifts to encourage participation and generate buzz. Consider hosting giveaways or exclusive offers for guests, such as signed copies of your book, merch or event free courses. This can incentivize attendees to share the event with their networks, expanding your reach even further.

Collaborate with Local Bookstores

Local bookstores often have a dedicated following of book lovers who trust their recommendations and show great enthusiasm for supporting new authors. By collaborating with them, you can leverage their community and attract readers who are more likely to be interested in your book. Not only can this result in immediate sales, but it can also create a ripple effect as satisfied readers spread the word about your work. This is also a great way to create a local footprint for yourself as the author! Local loves to support local!

  • One way to collaborate with local bookstores is to organize book signing events. Reach out to different bookstores in your area and propose partnering with them to host an event where you can meet your readers, sign copies of your book, and engage in conversations about your writing journey. This provides a personal touch and creates a memorable experience for your readers, fostering a deeper connection with your work.
  • In addition to book signings, you can also explore opportunities for your book to be prominently displayed within the store. Discuss with the bookstore owners the possibility of featuring your book on front tables or in eye-catching displays that catch the attention of browsing customers. This strategic placement can help increase visibility and generate interest, leading to potential sales and word-of-mouth promotion.
  • Collaborating with local bookstores can present additional marketing opportunities. You can offer to host workshops or give talks related to your book's topic, providing added value to the bookstore's customers and positioning yourself as an expert in your field. This not only helps to generate publicity for your book but also establishes you as a thought leader, increasing your credibility and visibility within the writing community.

 

Get Booked on Podcasts &  Be Interviewed on Shows + TV

When it comes to author interviews, they provide a platform for you to delve deeper into your book and share unique insights with your readers. These interviews can take various forms, from podcasts to blog interviews, and can be conducted by individuals or media outlets. Remember to approach these conversations with authenticity and respect. Avoid overtly promoting your book and instead focus on building relationships and sharing valuable insights.  Always think about providing VALUE for hosts, producers and interviewers related to your book's topic, because much to your potential surprise, they don't just want to feature you and your book, they want to provide valuable info for their community/audience. Read this blog post that talks more about PR for Authors.

  • In addition to author interviews, look into local TV shows that would like to highlight local talent. Again, come for the perspective of providing value for their listener-base, not just from the angle of your book launching or being published. Think about holidays, events or times of the year that might coincide with your book. For instance, say you wrote a book about Ending Toxic Relationships—well Valentine's Day might just be your ticket to TV. 
  • We created a free trending media calendar to help you pitch timely, relevant and newsworthy ideas to the media. Grab your calendar here.

Harness the Power of Influencers

In today's digital age, the influence of individuals on social media platforms has become a powerful tool for gaining publicity. From celebrities to industry experts, influencers have the ability to sway opinions and spark conversations. 

  • Identifying the right influencers for your book is key. Look for individuals who have a strong following within your target audience. They should align with the themes or topics covered in your book, making their endorsement more relevant and authentic. Conduct thorough research to ensure the influencers you choose are reputable and have a genuine interest in your genre or subject matter.
  • When approaching influencers, it's important to establish a mutually beneficial relationship. Show them how your book aligns with their own brand or values and explain how their audience would benefit from hearing about your work. Offer to provide them with a free copy of your book or propose a collaboration that allows them to engage their audience with your content in an organic way.
  • Once you've established a partnership with an influencer, leverage their reach to create buzz around your book. Encourage them to share posts about your book on their social media channels, write reviews, or even host a giveaway. This kind of exposure not only increases visibility, but it also helps build credibility and trust among their followers.
  • Remember, it's important to maintain authenticity throughout your partnership with influencers. Genuine endorsements and recommendations will have a much greater impact on your book's publicity than forced or inauthentic promotions. Encourage influencers to share their honest opinions and experiences with your book, as this will resonate more strongly with their audience.

Ok, so we just gave you a lot of info as an author. We'd recommend you print out this blog post and create a checklist for yourself of things to do as your book launches. Remember your book is one of the best calling cards for your business—but a book is nothing without the author behind it actively getting it publicity.

*This blog post may contain affiliate links. We love sharing our favorite tech platforms to help you build your business!*

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