As an author, your book is the center of everything you do. It’s what you think about when you wake up and it’s on your mind as soon as you go to sleep. You’ve written it, edited it and designed a cover for it. What now? Book promotion should be one of the next steps in the process because marketing is a long-lasting activity that takes plenty of time and effort. This post will give tips on how to promote your book for free during pre-launch so you can build momentum before launch day!
1. Create a blog or website.
Whether you’re new to blogging and want to create a website, or already have an established blog with readership, this is what your book marketing campaign will revolve around.
Your own website gives you plenty of space to tell people about your new release and the chance to reach your potential visitors again, either by means of e-mail marketing or ads.
2. Blog about your book.
Why did you write it? Who is the target audience and what will readers get from reading this book? Blogging about your current progress on writing or editing, as well as keeping in touch with your blog followers who are interested in following along with the process of publishing a novel can generate buzz for when it releases.
3. Build an email list
Email marketing is the most powerful form of online advertising, especially for authors promoting their books. It’s more personal than any other platform and gives you direct access to people who are interested in your books.
Build an email list before launch day so you can start contacting bloggers and journalists weeks or days ahead of time. It should be simple to sign up, include an unsubscribe link and come with some perks like advance reader copies or access to bonus content. Sendinblue.com is a free email service and is easy to use.
4. Retargeting
During your marketing efforts a lot of people will visit your website. However, not every visitor will sign up to your newsletter. Retargeting is a way to keep your books before potential readers when they are no longer on your website. Yes it is paid advertising but it is super cheap.
You can place an invisible code on your site called a “tracking pixel” or a “cookie”, which follows visitors around the web and allows you to serve relevant ads to them. When you decide to advertise, you can choose to advertise to only people who are “tagged”.
You can retarget through AdRoll, Facebook, Google Ads or 5+ other platforms. It is important to set up the tracking pixels as early as possible.
5. Market Research
It is important to get involved with your target audience and find out what they want from you as an author. What’s their favorite book? Who are they reading at the moment? This will help you tailor your experience to their needs.
Don’t be shy about asking for feedback! You will get a lot of ideas on what to focus your book marketing campaign around and how you should promote it, all from people who are invested in your work.
6. Use social media strategically
Don’t create an account for every single platform but do start off by following major authors to get a feel of the community. Create profiles with eye-catching graphics for Instagram and Pinterest. Use Facebook Groups to connect with potential readers who have common interests. Create a Twitter account and use hashtags that will help people find your book on the platform, like #amreading or #bookclubreadsalong.
Facebook: Get a feel of the social media platform by signing up for groups. Share your content and progress and connect with other authors.
Twitter: Be careful with how often you post, too much tweeting is annoying and doesn’t get as many engagements as other platforms such as Instagram or Pinterest.
Instagram: Share your book cover and a few paragraphs from the beginning of it.
Pinterest: Create boards with relevant images for some of the chapters or ideas discussed in your book that you might want to share on Facebook as well!
Reddit: Connect with other authors on subreddits such as /r/selfpublish or /r/writing.
Tumblr: Create a blog post about the process of publishing and things you’ve learned in this journey. Share it with other authors!
Don’t forget to mention where people can buy your book.
Content Ideas for Social Media:
Build anticipation with countdown timers and social media posts.
Showing your fans how close they are to your launch date is a great way to build anticipation and create the perfect environment for sales.
Create custom graphics featuring quotes, author photos or book covers.
Sharing these on social media will introduce people interested in what you do with information about your new release!
7. Create a press kit.
A press kit is an important step in promoting and marketing your book. It’s the first thing journalists will look at when they get interested in what you have to say about something. It should also include your high-res author photo, book cover design and book blurb.
8. Create a book trailer.
A book trailer is the perfect way to get people excited about your release and build up momentum for launch day! It can be something simple like a video of you talking about the book, or it could include clips from the book itself. There are plenty of places to find royalty-free images so don’t worry if budget isn’t an issue!
9. Use author platforms like bookhunt.org
Our platform is a place where you can connect with readers. It is among the best book promotion services 2021. Share your book with people that are interest in new books and unknown authors. You’ve been writing for years so take advantage of our free platform.
10. Collaborate with Influencers
Send out review copies to relevant reviewers, journalists or websites if you can afford it (but know that some will still accept an ARC or finished book).
You should also look for book bloggers who might be interested in your genre and send them a copy of your book.
11. Connect in real life
Host events around the release date to build excitement and talk about it with live audiences.
12. Offer Preorder bonuses and special editions
Create a giveaway for people who have pre-ordered your book. It’s an easy way to get the word out and offer something in return!