Marketing Tips for Self-Published Authors

When you hear the word “marketing,” you might think of businesses advertising their products and services. However, marketing applies to anything that can be sold—including your self-published book!

As an indie author, you might not be familiar with the importance of book promotion. And since you don’t have a professional book marketing plan, such as one the traditional publishing industry might provide, you’ll have to do a little research on marketing strategies and where to market your book.

With some determination and creativity, you can successfully market your self-published book and ring up some serious book sales.

Importance of marketing for self-published authors

Without successful marketing, your book won’t sell, because people won’t know about it. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend much money to market your book. Platforms like your author website and social media are fantastic—and inexpensive—places to start.

Why is marketing important for self-published authors?

It’s simple: if you don’t market your book to your target audience, potential readers won’t easily find you. Even if you have a phenomenal story and a beautifully designed book cover, you won’t earn many book sales. Fortunately, you can craft a book marketing plan to attract your readers!

Each marketing effort increases your author platform, or your author brand. The more you promote yourself and your book, the bigger your platform. The bigger your platform, the better chance you have to earn each book sale. There are many ways for authors to promote themselves—you just have to choose the right ones for you.

How do authors promote themselves?

Established authors often have full marketing services built into their publishing contracts. So how do you as an indie author promote yourself? Here are a few methods to try:

• Author website. Create a site that includes a short biography, an author photo, a list of your books, and where to buy them.
• Social media. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are free venues that allow you to interact with your target audience. If you want to invest in quick results, consider hiring some influencers to boost your social media presence.
• Book launch event. Many authors love to interact with their readers in person. Find a local bookstore that’ll let you host an event. It could bring in book sales for you and customers into the store!

Keep in mind that you can include multiple elements in your book marketing strategy. So be creative and have fun! If you find that you’re not seeing the results you want, you can also consider hiring a professional book marketing service.

When should you use professional book marketing services?

If you’re hoping to make the leap from indie author to professional writer, you can investigate professional book marketing services. These experts will design and execute your entire book marketing strategy from your cover design to your online presence.

In addition to assisting with book promotion, book marketing services can strengthen your overall brand as an author. They’ll make sure that your tact and tone are consistent throughout each marketing piece. When you have a steady brand, your readers see you as professional and legitimate. In fact, creating a great brand should be part of every book marketing strategy.

Marketing strategies for self-published authors

Part of building a strong author platform is developing a book marketing strategy. Your strategy includes all aspects of your book promotion, such as:

• Online presence, starting with your author website
• Social media presence on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
• In-person events like a book launch or book reading
• How you present the book itself to your target audience

Many readers seek out their next favorite book from a new writer or an indie author. As they peruse the bookshelves at their local bookstore or scroll through the seemingly countless e-books online, there’s one major element that can really draw them in: your book description.

How can your book description hook potential book buyers?

Your book description is the sales pitch for your self-published book. It helps the reader understand what your story is about. A great book description will also give the reader a taste of your overall style and tone. When someone reads a snapshot of your writing, you must deliver a powerful, impactful description that will hook them into buying your work.

If you’re not confident in writing your book description, you can seek professional advice. Marketing services have experts like a creative writer or a copy editor who will craft an awesome book description and help you earn book sales.

A strong book description is a great marketing tool. You can even create social media posts surrounding it!

How do you promote your book on social media?

Social media is one of the most powerful marketing tools for self-published authors. And because there’s little to no cost associated with most platforms, there’s no downside!

The first step in social media marketing is creating a profile on a variety of platforms. Link to your author website and Kindle page, then start creating content for each site. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Facebook—Post at least once per week about your book. You can even use your book description as its own post! Also, be sure to follow similar authors and join groups related to your genre. This will put you in front of your target audience.
• Twitter—Research trending hashtags related to your genre. Tweet once or twice a week to stay in front of your potential readers.
• Instagram—Post some book teasers or images of your book cover, or give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at you as an indie author.

Have some fun with this! Let your target audience get to know you as a person. The more people know about you, the more connected they’ll feel to you and your work, and the more books they’ll buy.

What are some marketing strategies for self-published authors?

When you’re trying to make a name for yourself as an indie author, you should market as much as possible. Your author website, social media presence, and book events are great starting places. However, you can also boost your book promotion by connecting all your efforts together.

Your author website probably already links to your social media platforms. Additionally, let your potential readers know where they can buy your work. Post about your e-book aggregator. Link to your Amazon Kindle author page. And show off a book review or two! The more you market, the more books you’ll sell.

Where to market your self-published book

Determining where to market your self-published book might seem like a big task. However, it can actually be fun! It’s an opportunity for you to get creative and show off your work. Depending on how you aim your book marketing strategy, you can get to know your target audience, and let them get to know you.

Where can you market your self-published book?

You’ve begun to build your author platform by creating a website and posting on social media. Maybe you’ve even held a book launch event at a local shop. If you’re still hoping to expand your book marketing strategy, there are additional venues that you can explore.

In-person marketing is always powerful. Look around for an upcoming book sale so you can set up a table and sell your print books in person. Additionally, if you’ve written a children’s book, find out if any local schools will let you come in to read part of the book to the kids and their parents.

You might also choose to market on a book promotion site. Many of these sites will require your book ISBN as proof that your work is actually published, so make sure you meet their requirements. Some book promotion sites are free, and some require fees before they’ll post your printed work or e-book. So you’ll need to do some research if you choose this marketing method.

What is a blog book tour?

Some authors and editors suggest a blog book tour as part of a successful book marketing strategy to boost your online presence. You’ll have to find a variety of professional bloggers or influencers to write about your book to generate excitement about its release. You might need to give these writers six to eight weeks so they have enough time to create high-quality content.

Next, set up a schedule of when each blog should be published online. A blog book tour usually lasts a couple of weeks, and you’ll get a lot of exposure in that time. A blog book tour can even lead to another fantastic book promotion method: podcasting.

How can a podcast help you sell books?

There are two main ways a podcast can help you sell books:

1. Guest speaking on a popular podcast. Talk about your new book, your entire body of work, and yourself as an author.
2. Creating your own podcast. Although you should avoid too much self-promotion, this is a great venue to plug your own work.

People love listening to podcasts. When you appear on their favorite one—or they come across your own podcast as they search for what to listen to next—you can draw them in and earn some book sales.

Tips on creating SEO terms for marketing your self-published book

To strengthen your online presence, you’ll need to understand SEO (search engine optimization). Anytime you market your book online with a blog or social media post, you are creating content as part of your digital marketing strategy. When done correctly, content marketing can go a long way to earning book sales.

What are some tips on creating SEO terms for marketing your self-published book?

Before you begin creating content to boost your SEO, you’ll need to do some keyword research. Type words relating to your genre into your search bar and see what similar words or phrases your search engine suggests. Each suggestion is a keyword.

Once you have a handful of keywords, incorporate them into your digital marketing. Spread them throughout your author website and social media. This will help your target audience find you online!

How can you market your book on LinkedIn?

Social media goes beyond Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. LinkedIn can also be a great marketing platform! Here are a few ways to market your book on LinkedIn:

• Set up a professional profile and add each print or e-book as its own publication.
• Post information about your book, such as your book trailer or description.
• Connect to a book agent or two to get your name in front of a publishing industry professional.
• Invite your connections and people with similar interests to like your book so you can build your following.

Most social media platforms, including LinkedIn, use hashtags. These tools can also bring you some attention and sales!

Which hashtags should you use on social media when marketing your book?

When you include some carefully chosen hashtags in your social media posts, you make it easy for your target audience to find you. However, you can’t just throw any words into a hashtag. Do a quick online search to find trending hashtags that apply to your genre. You can also use some evergreen hashtags about reading or being an indie author.

Be careful not to use too many hashtags. Although they can bring attention to your profile, you don’t want them to overrun your post. Aim for a combination of high-quality content and useful hashtags. When you incorporate this method into your book marketing strategy, you’ll be an elite author in no time!

Become an Elite Author with expert marketing

Are you ready to publish everywhere? We’re here to help! Elite Authors is an expert in publishing with companies like CreateSpace, Kindle, and a wide variety of traditional publishing companies. Our professional book marketing services will help you sell more books and establish a name for yourself as a successful indie author. Contact us to get started!