A decade ago, prognosticators anticipated that online platforms would be a game-changer for the book publishing industry. Indeed, it has ushered in a new era of opportunities that changed the way authors now promote themselves. It provides writers with a set of sophisticated tools that are necessary for matching content to the readers' interest and get their message across the growing community of followers.

Nowadays, it is not just about being a great writer, it is also how you market your book that plays an integral role in its success. Sometimes authors might be unsuccessful at promoting their books online, after all, they are writers, not marketers. With a little bit of creativity and a well-thought-out online plan, authors can now effectively market their books to thousands of potential readers.

If you are a rookie in the industry and don’t have a million-dollar budget, there is no need to panic. You will get some useful tips for marketing your book online right here, right now! 

Do Get Your Groundwork Done

Before you embark on a journey of any form of publicity for your book, ensure that it is media-ready. Have a well-defined notion of your target audience, a strong marketing message and a point of differentiation that separates you from the clutter. Once you know this, your marketing campaign is ready for the online book market. Austin Macauley’s brilliant author, Rafaella Rowell, knows how to connect with her audience through engaging content on her website. Click here to visit her website.

Do Set up a Website

No amount of social media exposure can be an alternative for a well-designed author website. Some authors prefer a minimalistic approach and only provide basic information, but an elaborate website with active blogs can spark readers’ interest. It is important to connect with readers on an individual level because they love the feeling of having a personal connection with the author. 

Do Leverage the Benefits of Each Social Media Platform

When it comes to rising above the noise, the key ingredient to keep in mind while crafting your message is that one size does not fit all. Customize your message according to each platform and indulge in a constant stream of engaging content to keep your fans hooked. 

Facebook 

• Facebook is the most popular social media platform worldwide, with over 2.5 billion monthly active users. No matter what genre you write, an online book market exists on Facebook.
• Create a separate fan page for your book or the main characters in the story, as it will encourage interaction, which in turn, drives traffic on your page. 
• Paulo Coehlo and Neil Gaiman are some of the prime examples of the authors with a large fan base of 28 million and 1 million respectively.

Twitter

• Twitter has over 330 million active users and it can be a powerful tool if utilized correctly. 
• It is a great platform to build a following. One of the tactics you can use is to enlist the fans to help you promote the book. 
• It encourages the elevator pitch format, so we suggest that you keep it brief and get your message across.
• Use quotable content from your book and tweet them to engage the audience.  
• Leverage the power of the right hashtags to increase visibility on your post.          

Do Go for Engagement

The dawn of social media has provided authors with an opportunity to connect with their readers like never before. It’s an intimacy and a great privilege to be able to engage with the target audience on a broader level.

Do Share Reviews

Amazon reviews play an integral role in elevating the exposure of any new book. If your book is on Amazon, then it will eventually appear on Goodreads, one of the largest community of booklovers. Share the reviews on your social accounts to create the hype. Ask the blogging community for honest reviews about your book and share the permalink of the reviews on your social accounts to enhance reach.

Do Give Readers a Sneak Peek

One of the effective book marketing techniques is to offer insight into the essence of the content. The key is to provide just enough content that intrigues them to be curious about what the book has to offer. 

Do Focus on Visual Marketing

Visual marketing is powerful, and it is even more beneficial if it is done properly. Although we should not judge a book by its cover, it still has a say in readers choosing your book for the first time.

Do Follow the Data Footprint

Everything that we do now has a digital footprint. Data-driven marketing is the new trend and it provides useful insights into the effectiveness of the marketing plan. With the help of data analytics, it has become easier to examine what’s working and what’s not. 

Don’t Shy Away to Give Away Stuff for Free 

Everybody loves freebies. One of the ways you can increase your fan base is by writing a short story and give it away on your website. This way you can collect the readers’ emails which will assist you in developing the contact list when your book is released. 

Don’t Expect an Overnight Success

We often hear the phrase, ‘overnight success story’, but those stories are built on hard-work, untethered resolve and discipline to turn dreams into reality. Don’t give up too quickly because one blog or article is not getting the desired response. All you must do is be persistent in your efforts.

Don’t Bombard Your Social Media

As they say, excess of everything is bad. Focus on the quality of your content, instead of quantity. According to expert opinion, only 5 percent of what you post, should be related to your book promotions. 

Don’t Spam 

Sending unsolicited emails is not a substitute for promoting your book. It can do you more harm than good. 

We hope that you find these book marketing strategies and tips useful. Our caveat is you take the time to understand and learn the pros and cons of your chosen platform, and then reap the benefits.

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