Modern-day book marketing strategies are incomplete unless you can reach people online. No matter what product or service you are trying to sell, you need to employ clever online marketing and book promotion strategies. This is true for promoting and marketing your book as well. 

Your book might contain a million-dollar idea, but just lying on the bookshelves in bookstores and libraries will be of little use. Even though you can self-promote your book, you will still have to introduce the world to your book through multiple channels. This blog is specifically to guide all authors on how to get their book to wider audiences through book bloggers and reviewers. Read on for some helpful book promotion tips.

If you are in the phase of getting your book published, Austin Macauley Publishers is open to submissions.

To understand the centrality of getting reviews of your book in your overall book promotion strategies, consider the fact that even when you want to buy a product, just think how much you rely on the online reviews. The final decision to buy your book or not is solely based on the reviews. The same holds valid for people who read reviews of a book before placing an order. Convinced enough?
 

Now let us tell you who to approach and how they can boost your book promotions!
 

1. Book Bloggers

Book bloggers are influencers who pursue book reading as a hobby and are so passionate about books that they regularly post what they are reading. They also share detailed book reviews whenever they complete a book and give reading suggestions. Over time, their online presence attracts not only book lovers. But also other people having a literary taste. They are the ones you have to look for. 

A simple way of finding book bloggers and influencers on Instagram is to use the hashtag #bookstagram. You can also use other reading and book related hashtags to find dedicated bloggers. By following them, you will get a decent idea of their space, the genres they read more, the attitude that speaks out of the reviews they share, and much more.
 

2. Editorial Reviews

You will need editorial reviews of your book for professional sites like Amazon and Goodreads. Locating editorial reviewers is not as difficult as it may appear. Look for the books of the same genre on Amazon and read the reviews. Wherever you feel that a review is well written and balanced, do not forget to note down the reviewer's name (which appears with each book and each review on Amazon). Soon after, you will have a clear idea of who to approach for an editorial review. This practice will even help you find the top reviewers on Amazon. Book review services through editors are usually paid. If you are an aspiring writer, check out our how to become an author guide.
 

3. Guest Posts & Interviews

This is one of the most captivating and engaging ways to promote your book. Readers love to read guest posts on blogs. If you have a story to tell everyone, be it your writing journey, any struggles of life, or anything that would grasp the attention of the reader. These exclusive insights will compel the audience to read more about you and your book. As far as book promotions are concerned, it will be the perfect way to introduce yourself to the audience.

Doing interviews can also help promote your book. When doing an interview, put in your utmost effort. Be careful with how you answer the questions. Always take a steady approach, and don’t forget to crack up a joke or two to enliven the audience. These antics will make the readers fall in love with you.
 

4. Book Clubs and Reader Groups

Generally, online book clubs constitute readers and are the best place to get consumer/readers’ reviews. Sometimes, book clubs are more specific and include professional editors as well. For the usual clubs, it is easier to get featured on the page if they are interested in the genre of your book. You can inbox the admin or any other active member of the club. The most that you will have to do is send a copy of your book, and the person will publish a review on the page or in the group if they are fascinated. Since book clubs have a good following, these platforms will make for very encouraging and fruitful book promotion.
 

5. Social Media and Discussion Posts

To start off, you may get in touch with a book blogger and inquire about their charges for promoting a book on social media. Chances are they would charge a very nominal fee. Many bloggers would love to promote your book on their social media, whether on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or youtube. They could even promote your book through advertisement, which is always a bonus. You could ask them to run an ad or two to further boost the promotions of your book. Depending on the blogger, they will joyfully put some creative Instagram posts and eye-catching tweets to get your book in the limelight. This is an excellent way to bolster book sales, especially if you have just started your career as a writer.
 

6. Giveaways & Contests For Book Promotions

Book bloggers generally do not charge for giveaways, but you have to sponsor the prize. This is great if you want to promote your book along with building a social media presence. Bloggers often set up giveaway contests every month. So why not sponsor one? If marketing your book is on top of your priority list, offering a giveaway prize to the blogger will help get your book in front of thousands of people. It will also help the review to save a few bucks. Whatever decision you make, just remember to set aside some funds to pay the book bloggers. Trust me, it really helps out in the long run!
 

How to Approach Book Reviewers and Bloggers for Book Promotions?
 

1. Do your homework!

Now that you have become aware of the exact sites of getting your book promoted, you will need to get some homework done. Make a list of bloggers and reviewers that you find most relevant to your book type and genre. Save your time right from the start and do not follow or engage with accounts promoting fiction titles, while yours is non-fiction.

The tagline is: be specific! 

Now, we have made the publishing process simpler. You get your manuscript into the pipeline by reaching out to us or filling a simple online submission form.

For few days, keep an eye on the content of the account you have followed to get yourself familiar with their space. You can also interact with them before formally sending a pitch for collaboration. Make your interaction indirect through likes and comments, but not so much that they begin to assume you as a non-serious follower.

The tagline is: keep it simple and professional!

It is natural to get attracted to big accounts since, of course, they are more influential. But we will advise you not to reach out to them. This will consume more time and energy. There are tons of PRs already in line, and you will not be getting a reply sooner. Also, more influential book bloggers do not collaborate for free.

The tagline is: stay away from big accounts, to begin with!
 

2. Drafting email pitches

Here comes an important part. Please do read the review policy of a blogger or a reviewer before sending them an email. You don't want your interaction to get sour in any way, right? So, make sure to make contact in whatever way the influencer has recommended in their bio. Usually, DMs get too crowded, and most bloggers prefer serious interaction for collaboration through email. Follow the suggested format for drafting your pitch. Keep it crisp and to the point. At this stage, details are not required. You can go descriptive once you get a reply and are asked to write more about your book.

Keep one thing in mind. Book promotions are not always butterflies and roses. But surprises do come all of a sudden. Be prepared to receive a reply at any time. So, keep some material ready in a folder. This includes a brief bio, a summary/synopsis of your book, an inspiration statement, a sample pdf book, a book cover, a portrait photograph of you and your book, and some other snaps of your book.

Once the whole collaboration is smoothly carried out, do not forget to thank the person very politely and use the review just as much as you can in boosting your book marketing campaign.

We wish you all the best with your book promotions!
 

Austin Macauley is a leading book publishing company headquartered in the UK, US, and UAE. We are currently accepting submissions, and you can submit your manuscript to us for review and publishing. Click the online submission form to submit online.

Stay connected with Austin Macauley and be the first one to hear about our new releases by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you are an aspiring writer, submit your manuscript to us.