Welcome back to marketing for authors. If you missed part 1, you can find it here.
Last time we discussed steps 1-6, from making a plan to implementing it across several platforms.
This week we'll dive right into step 7.
7. Book Reviews & ARC (Advanced Review Copies)
Traditional publishers send out free books to social media influencers, bloggers, book reviewers, etc. This has a dual purpose: it helps create buzz around a new release, and it gives your book social proof.
Reach out to book bloggers, reviewers, or readers who specialize in your genre. Offer them ARCs (advanced reader copies) in exchange for honest reviews on platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, or personal blogs.
It’ll save you money if you can give away free ebooks for these reviews. Many book review sites will only post a review if they can honestly give your book a three-star rating or above, but there are some who will give it a lower rating.
Each site will have its own submission requirements, so read them and follow accordingly.
8. Book Promotion Sites
You’re not limited to Facebook or Amazon for book ads (though those are two popular platforms). BookBub, Freebooksy, BookSends, and Robin Reads are all examples of other platforms to promote your book—especially sales and freebies.
These sites offer paid promotions for free and deeply discounted ebooks (the exception being BookBub, which allows advertising of full-price books). They often have large newsletters to reach readers of specific genres.
9. Goodreads and The StoryGraph
These are sites that allow readers to track the books they read as well as discover new books for their to-read shelf. You can set up an author profile on both sites as well as participate in giveaways.
Goodreads giveaway: $110 to list your book. Print giveaways are limited to the US and Canada. Goodreads automatically adds your book to a reader’s to-read shelf when they enter your giveaway.
The StoryGraph: While giveaways are in beta mode (currently), they are discounted to $49 for a standard giveaway and $249 for premium. They don’t automatically place your book on the reader’s to-read shelf when they sign up, but they do email you the contact information for the winners.
I recently entered my book on The StoryGraph and will likely release the results in a future newsletter.
10. Collaborate with Other Authors
Team up with fellow indie authors for joint promotions, giveaways, or blog tours. Cross-promote each other's books in your newsletters or social media posts.
I do an indie book or indie author spotlight on Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram. Occasionally, someone features me as well. I got my first author interview from another indie author on BlueSky.
It’s essential for indie authors to support each other.
11. Create a Book Trailer
You can use free images to make your own book trailer using programs like Canva or CapCut and image sites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay.
Just make sure the image site you use allows commercial use in their licensing agreement.
A simple, well-made book trailer on YouTube or Instagram can get the attention of potential readers. Experiment with royalty-free music and images.
12. Amazon KDP Free Promotions
Amazon KDP is the largest market for books, especially ebooks. KDP allows users to list a countdown promotion, whether free or discounted, once per 90 days. There is a limit of five days for the promotion, and even if you only use two or three days, you can’t run another in the 90-day window.
Make sure you promote these sales ahead of time on social media and in your newsletter. You can also list the sale on your website and promote it on paid platforms mentioned in number 8.
13. Create and Sell Merchandise
I’m not sure how well book merchandise will sell for an obscure book, but you can give it a shot. This might pair well with a giveaway package or a raffle at an event.
There are print-on-demand services like Redbubble or Teespring.
How to Use: Design merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, bookmarks, or journals based on your book's theme or cover art. You can offer to sell this to fans. Alternatively, you can offer it as part of a giveaway bundle to promote your book on social media and get sign-ups to your newsletter.
I recently used Canva to design bookmarks to hand out instead of business cards. I used their template to get the size right and then edited it for my book design.
14. Utilize Book Clubs
Engage with online book clubs or start one around your book's genre. You can politely pitch your book or offer to be a part of a virtual discussion with the club, answering questions about your story and writing process.
15. Networking at Local Events or Online
Attend virtual or in-person book conventions, workshops, or writer's events. Networking with other authors and readers is an easy way to promote your book through word of mouth.
I donated a copy of my book to my library, and they recently reached out to me to start planning a local author event.
Don’t do all of these all at once. Pick a few and start there.
Don’t get caught up doomscrolling social media, and don’t let any one tactic consume all your time. In time you’ll find a rhythm to balance writing, social media, and marketing.
Make sure to keep track of what works best for your audience and adjust your strategy accordingly. Picking one promotion tactic at a time will help narrow down what’s working.
Let me know if any of these work for you or if you have any to add.
Click the image to check out my book, Beyond the Water’s Edge.
Happy Writing!
Janine Eaby
