How to Promote Your Book—5 Strategies for Authors

Guest article from Chloe Harris

Books with compelling content are often passed over due to ineffective promotion. Convincing people to read a book is quite different from convincing them to buy clothes, cars, and houses.

We’ve gathered a few useful strategies to promote your book:

Choose a Professional Book Cover

The old saw runs “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But people do judge a book by its cover. A 2017 study revealed that a whopping 52% base their decision on the jacket artwork.

Work with professional book cover designer in conveying the right message, attracting the right audience. Your ideas will be the basis of the design, while the artist manipulates the elements to arrive at a professional, attention-getting result.

Author-designed covers run the risk of potential readers identifying the work as self-published, and therefore passing over it.

Use Social Media Effectively

“As of January 2020, over 3.8 billion people are using social media. This means that by simply introducing your book through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you could stir the interest of many. However, you will have to optimise social media use for this happen.”, said Alistaire Clare, Credit Capital’s business consultant.

Social proof is vital in earning recognition. With an official page, it will be easier for potential readers to find your book. Make sure to include the following:

• A high-resolution photo of the book

• A photo of yourself with a short biography

• A snippet about the book

• Some testimonials from those who’ve read your book already

Facebook ads are also useful in reaching specific targets in terms of location, gender, age, and preferences.

Organise an Event in Local Bookstores

Avid book buyers visit local bookstores to hunt for old and new masterpieces. So, make sure not to miss this fanbase. Here are 21 charming bookshops in Australia.

Many local bookstores regularly feature new authors. Often, they also have a relationship with local book clubs that could review your book. 

• Prepare a good pitch, explaining how the bookstore can benefit from your book.

• Ask if you could display promotional banners and posters.

• Plan an entertaining presentation

• Hold a live Q&A

• Sign books for free or hold small contests

If things go well with local bookstores, you might contemplate further events in larger venues.

Reach out to Book Reviewers

It’s essential to gather as many reviews possible, mainly if you’re selling online. Books with more reviews get more visibility. They also create an impression that the content is promising.

Search for book reviewers who are interested in your genre. Ask them to leave an honest review. You might have to send a free copy, but that’s totally worth it, especially if the reviewer has a large following. Here are some great choices:

• Aussie Reviews

• Booktopia

• Ragamuffin Books

• Readability Australia

• Lost in a Good Book

• Goodreads

Also. try sending a letter to Australian Book Review. ABR is an independent, non-profit magazine that publishes book reviews.

Are you an independent author who wants to have a professionally-designed book? Working Type offers design, layout, and print solutions that can transform your manuscript into a best-seller. We also assist in e-book publishing and digital and print promotions. Contact us now for more information!

My Designer Profile on Reedsy

Have registered with Reedsy, a service designed to ”connect and collaborate with a worldwide network of authors. “ Reedsy allows designers to apply to become service providers. As all the designers and other service providers have been carefully vetted, the theory is that users will receive professional quality assistance with their book, in contrast to mediocre crowdsourced design interfaces such as Fiver.