How Can I Promote My Self-Published Book?

Self-publishing a book is an incredible achievement, so congratulations! However, as you might have discovered, writing your book was only half the battle. The next challenge is getting people to read it. Here are some practical and creative ways to promote your self-published book.

Embrace the Digital World

• Build a Strong Online Presence: Start a blog or website dedicated to your book. Share behind-the-scenes content, character backstories, or even how your cat sat on your keyboard, contributing a line of mysterious hieroglyphics to your manuscript.

• Social Media Marketing: Don’t just sell your book; sell your story. Share your journey, connect with readers, and maybe post a meme or two about the struggles of being an author. Remember, every 'like' and 'share' is a potential reader. #authorlife

Networking is Key

• Connect with Other Authors: Join author communities online or in person. Not only will you gain valuable advice, but you might also find cross-promotion opportunities. Facebook is still hot in terms of author community pages (even though post people don’t put photos of every meal on there like the good old days…)

• Book Clubs and Reading Groups: Reach out to local book clubs and offer your book as their next read. Perhaps even offer to attend a meeting for a Q&A session. It’s like being a celebrity guest, but probably with less paparazzi.

Get Creative with Marketing

• Host a Book Launch Event: Celebrate your book's release. This can be an in-person event or a virtual one. Just make sure there’s cake – everyone loves cake.

• Create Book Trailers: Yes, like a movie trailer but for your book. It's like giving readers a sneak peek into your world, without them having to turn a single page.

Reviews and Press

• Seek Reviews: Reach out to bloggers, YouTubers, and social media influencers who review books. Remember that they need new content just like you need exposure.

• Write Press Releases: Send press releases to local newspapers, radio stations, and online platforms. If the news can cover a cat that looks like a muffin, they can cover your book.

• Ask your readers to head over to the book’s page on Amazon and leave reviews. Many genre readers often leave reviews routinely, so it won’t be anything new to them.

Giveaways and Promotions

• Run Giveaways: Who doesn’t like free stuff? Host giveaways on social media or book forums. It’s a win-win; you get exposure, and readers get freebies.

• Promotional Discounts: Temporarily lowering your book’s price can spur a spike in sales. It’s like a Black Friday sale, but for your book.

• Use platforms like Bookfunnel (and StoryVoyage!) to join promos with other authors. Check out our post on Bookfunnel alternatives for more info.

• If your book is involved in Amazon KDP Select, you can run discounts and free promotions once every three months. A major benefit of giving away freebies here is that it gets your book in the “people also read/bought” lists connected to similar novels.

Summary

• Encourage Readers to Share: Sometimes, the best promotion is a reader who just can't stop talking about your book. Encourage them to share their thoughts online.

• Build an Online Presence: Start a blog or website, and use social media effectively.

• Network: Connect with other authors and join book clubs.

• Get Creative: Host a launch event, create book trailers.

• Seek Reviews: Approach bloggers and influencers.

• Run Promotions: Consider giveaways, discounts, and group promos with other authors