
When you decide to self publish a book, you take on the role of both author and marketer. It's just like starting your own small bookstore. You must compose an excellent book that is professional and ready for publication. Then you'll choose a publishing platform, like Amazon KDP.
The next exciting step is to market your self-published book! It's similar like spreading the word about a really fantastic new store: you want people to know about it! Here, we'll go over how you can market your book in several methods. In addition, we'll discuss how to employ someone to promote your book.
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ToggleWhat is Book Marketing?
Book marketing is simply like telling the world about your amazing book! It's how you get people excited about reading it. Without book marketing it's like you wrote a really good story, but nobody knows it exists. With book marketing, you are actually putting up signs, telling your friends, and even running ads to let people know your book is out there.
There are many ways to spread news about your book release. You can share posts, run ads and talk to people online. You can also send messages to people who might find your book interesting. Some authors even arrange book signing events to tell about their book.
If you have self-published a book then you need a good plan for both writing and selling it. Mostly, authors hire a book marketer from Ace Book Writers to promote their books. However, you can also market your book through multiple ways that are discussed in this article.
How to Market a Self-Published Book Under a Budget
Self publishing book marketing doesn’t always have to be expensive. You can market your book with the right strategies without breaking a bank. Although many self-published authors think that promoting a book requires a big budget. Maybe it was years ago but now with the internet there are many cost-effective options that we’ll discuss here:
1. Build an Online Presence
When you go to the internet you always search for a website or social media accounts to read books. To start your promotions, first of all try to build online identity or simply your brand.
Create a Website
You can make a simple website with your author bio, book details, and a blog to attract potential readers. There are some websites that provide free templates for author books like Wix, SITE123, WordPress, and Google Sites.
Use Social Media
You can also start by making your book account on sites like Facebook or Instagram and post about your book story or free giveaways and live online sessions.
Join Online Communities
You can join online groups on Reddit, Twitter, or famous online book websites to share about your book.
2. Utilize Free and Low-Cost Marketing Tools
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You can use free online tools to make eye-catching posts for your book and use them to promote your book on different platforms. Canva is a good option for making posts for social media. You can also use Mailchimp to send newsletters to your readers and tell them about your book. Another tool for marketing your book is through BookFunnel. You can share sample chapters and grow your audience for free.
3. Encourage Book Reviews
One thing that attracts readers the most is good reviews. Most of the people drop books because of bad reviews. So encourage your fans to write good reviews on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads. You can get good reviews by providing your book copies to influencers or join review exchange groups.
4. Use Low-Cost Advertising
A little investment can help in a long way in book marketing for self-published authors. Like, you can use Amazon Ads, Facebook and Insta Ads or Newsletter promotions through services like Bargain Booksy and Freebooksy.
5. Network and Collaborate
Networking is very important as a self publishing author because you don't have the backing of traditional publishers. To succeed, try to be humble first. Read other authors' books, write reviews on their pages and promote their work. In return you can ask them to review your book.
Most efficient way to promote a self-published novel?
Marketing your self-published book needs good planning. You don't have backing like traditional publishers do. So you need to focus on the big picture, and use cost-effective methods that we’ll discuss in this part.
1. Optimize Your Book for Maximum Visibility
Best way to promote self published book is to start with basics.
- First try to make your book cover attractive. Make the front cover simple and easily understandable.
- Add a summary in the back cover of your book. Try to add an attractive part of the story in it so readers can relate what your story is about.
- Keywords rich book description is important for any self-published book marketing plan.
- Use high ranking keywords on websites like Keyword Tool Dominator, Helium 10, Ahrefs and Jungle Scout.
- Marketing your self published book before its launch. Give free samples of your book like starting 4 pages or more to a few influencers and let them promote your book. In return, you can promote their work.
2. Hire a Professional Marketer
Another option for book marketing self published books is to hire a professional marketer from Ace Book Writers. They will make marketing strategies with you and promote your book on popular websites and social media.
- They will engage on Facebook, Instagram and share excerpts, behind the scenes stories of your book and testimonials.
- They will modify your posts by using hashtags according to trends.
3. Run Cost-Effective Book Promotions
You don’t need a big budget for your self-published book marketing. Here are some ways to invest wisely:
- Go for Amazon KDP Select promotions. You can use free and discount to boost rankings.
- Second, you can use newsletter promo services like BookBub, Freebooksy, and Bargain Booksy to reach targeted readers.
- You can also create an author website or use platforms like Medium or Tumblr to promote your book.
- You can participate in local book fairs, readings, or online events to connect with book readers and meet them directly to market your book.
Ways to Market a Book on Amazon
1. Optimize Your Amazon Book Listing
Before you start investing in self-publishing book marketing on Amazon, first try to optimize your book listing. You can do it by using relevant book keywords, writing a good description of your book, making high-quality covers and including good reviews.
2. Utilize Amazon Ads (AMS - Amazon Marketing Services)
Amazon itself provides marketing services like AMS. This include:
- Sponsored Product Ads
- Lock Screen Ads (For eBooks)
- Auto and Manual Targeting.
These tools have made book marketing for self published authors on Amazon much easier than before.
3. Use KDP Select and Kindle Countdown Deals
If you are enrolled in Kindle Direct Publishing Select then you can get access to their promotional tools on Amazon.
- You can use Kindle Countdown Deals that offer your book at a discounted price for a limited time.
- You can also use their free book promotions which can make your book free for up to five days to generate downloads and reviews.
4. Run Time Limited Promotions with Newsletter Services
You can use sites like BookBub, Ereader News Today and The Fussy Librarian to run time limited promotion through newsletters for book marketing.
Pro Tip: You can hire a professional marketer from Ace Book Writer for marketing your book on Amazon and get the bestselling rank.
How to Market Your Book Without Social Media
Most of the authors think social media is necessary for book marketing. However, authors like Michael Lewis and Zadie Smith did not rely on social media but used podcasts and journalism to market their books. Here we'll discuss how to market self published books without social media.
- One option is to use email marketing. You can send regular newsletters to share book updates, exclusive content and special offers with your fans.
- Secondly, you can cross-promote books with other authors through email lists.
- Another option in book marketing for self-published authors is engaging in public events.
- Like, hosting book signings events by contacting local libraries and coffee shops.
- Go to writing conferences, book fairs or participate in workshops to share your expertise and book.
- You can also collaborate with local media by pitching your book to radio shows, podcasts, and newspapers for interviews.
- Moreover, you don't need social media to connect with readers. Simply sell your book on your website, promote on Amazon, use platforms like IngramSpark and Lulu to distribute your book widely.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Book Marketer?
For a self published author, hiring a book marketer is a smart investment. Why? Because they can help in getting your book the attention it deserves. Although, you need to find the right book marketing company or individual marketer to promote your book. Here, we’ll talk about what each marketer costs in detail.
1. Basic Marketing Services
If you are choosing the basic plan for book marketing then it may include SEO optimization, email list building and author website. This can cost as much as $500 minimum to $2,000 maximum. Smaller book marketing websites or independent contractors typically offer these services. Setting up Amazon adverts or optimizing your book for online book promotion on Amazon may also be included in this cost.
2. Full Service Book Marketing Campaigns
If you want an advanced marketing plan, including social media management, public relations, and author branding, the price increases upto $3000 or in some cases $10,000+. A full-service book marketing firm will design a personalized strategy to promote your book across a variety of platforms, such as email newsletters, book review websites, and Amazon. Press releases, influencer outreach, and paid advertising are frequently included in these packages.
Get Help: You can hire Ace Book Writers professional marketers to promote your book with affordable prices and full marketing services.
3. Amazon-Specific Marketing Services
If your primary focus is online book marketing on Amazon, you can hire marketers who focus on Amazon Ads and optimization. This can cost you $500 to $5,000. These services may include targeted ad campaigns (Sponsored Products, Kindle Unlimited promotions), optimizing your book description and categories, and using Amazon’s algorithms to increase rankings.
4. A La Carte Services
If you only need marketer for specific services then they can cost $50 per hour for common a la carte services like Amazon ad management, author website design, or writing press releases.
Can You Hire Someone to Market Your Book?
Sure, you can definitely hire someone to market your book. A lot of authors, usually the self publishers, get marketers to promote their book. We always recommend the Ace Book Writers marketer. Why? Because they have experts. They know how your book can gain attention. They handle crucial marketing tasks, like creating your website, running Amazon ads, getting good reviews through their network, and reaching out to book bloggers.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
The final stage in taking your self-published book to the top is marketing it. It takes time and effort. So don't waste your efforts and spend wisely on book marketing. Remember, if no one knows your book exists then all your book writing efforts will go in vain. Use this guide and share your book with the world and build a successful author career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best way to self publish a book is through Amazon KDP platform. KDP does not have upfront charges, which means you don't need to pay a penny to publish your book. However, to market your book you need to invest.
You can sell your book on Amazon by using Amazon marketing services. This includes using important keywords in your book’s title, subtitle and description. Next, using KDP Select to run sales, give your book chapters for free and get good reviews on your book page on Amazon. You can also simply hire a professional marketer to promote your book on Amazon.
Social media is a great way to tell people about your book. You can share book excerpts, directly connect with readers, read their positive comments, post short videos about your book, and use hashtags to boost your book visibility.
It all depends on your budget. If you are willing to invest in book marketing then you should definitely go for it. A professional marketer has expertise and knows what is trending most. Also, they have vast connections with other influencers that can help in promoting your book. If you don't want to hire someone, you can also market your book by using social media, emails and other free marketing services.
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