We interviewed an expert book marketer and asked them various questions. The one of utmost importance out of all was:
“What are the most effective marketing strategies?” In other words: “What turns a manuscript into a bestseller?”
To which he replied: “Not one tactic sells a publication. There is always a carefully tailored set of different impactful strategies that makes a manuscript hit the bookshelves like a hurricane.”
And it is so true. That set of tested tactics helps authors reach an extensive audience, boost popularity, and amplify sales. We further asked the expert marketer to share the top-tested promotional techniques that every author or self-publisher should master.
Whether you’re a first-time author or a struggling self-publisher, these tried-and-true strategies will boost your manuscript’s exposure and sales.
Let’s explore them together!
An Expert Marketer’s 7 Proven Book Marketing Strategies That You Should Master
Build an Author Website
Building an author website is the most important step for marketing your book. It represents the unique influence you make on your target audience and reach. Either use a hosting platform to launch your author’s website or collaborate with professional web developers. Outsourcing this step will help you achieve better results with less involvement.
The expert will design your website while resonating with your author’s brand. They will ensure it represents your writing style and voice. You can use your personalized platform to interact with your audience and boost engagement around your work. You can also share insights and build genuine connections with your readers, resulting in more recognition. As a result, you’re more likely to make more sales.
Post a Dynamic Trailers
According to the expert marketer, the success of book marketing lies in using various sources rather than only text. He further indicated dynamic trailers and emphasized their importance in making waves in today’s literary world. Undoubtedly, visuals play a pivotal role in causing a stir around something.
Create a professionally crafted book trailer that conveys the essence of your manuscript. Hire professional book publishing services and get their assistance in the creation of an attention-grabbing trailer. It will entice them to explore your narrative by getting their hands on your publication.
Launch a Strategic Pre-Publish Campaign
Don’t wait for the book to be published for its promotion. The marketing expert that we interviewed opened up that so many authors commit this blunder of waiting for the last moment. This way, their work doesn’t make much sales whenever they publish. The right approach is to start creating a buzz around your manuscript way before it gets out in the world.
Create a pre-launch campaign to promote your work and undertake it timely. It may include effective strategies, such as enthralling sneak peeks, exclusive content, and time-limited advertisements. This will let you generate a hype way by the time your publication hits the shelves.
Collaborate with Social Media Influencers and Thought Leaders
You alone may not be able to make your work popular. Collaboration always derives better results than hustling alone. So, collaborate with social media influencers and thought leaders who resonate with your manuscript’s niche.
For instance, you have written a guide on how to cope with mental issues. Connect with influencers who raise awareness related to psychological issues and help sufferers overcome them. You can ask them to promote your work among their audience and support the initiative. You can turn it into a paid partnership if both parties agree on it. This way, there will be a higher chances of your work flying off the shelves after the publication.
Similarly, reach out to your influencers or leaders who align with your genre. You can make them promote your work in guest blog posts, podcast interviews, or collective social media campaigns.
Optimize Kindle Unlimited and eBook Promotions
Enrolling your work in the Kindle Unlimited is a great way to increase your manuscript’s reach. Optimize eBook promotions through effective ways, such as creating a captivating cover design that reflects your content. Write a persuasive and concise blurb that will hook your potential readership and make them click on the ‘Buy’ button.
Running paid advertisements on platforms, like Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, and Google Ads can amplify your success rate. However, setting up effective ads is tricky. You can hire reliable, top-notch book marketing services to build momentum for your manuscript.
Interact with Your Audience Through Virtual Events
You live in the digital era. The advancement has offered innumerable opportunities to market your publication than ever before. You can hold virtual events to connect with your potential readers, irrespective of geographical limitations.
Undertake online book launches, author Q&A sessions, and webinars to engage with them in real-time discussions. It will help you nurture a genuine connection with your target audience and let them become more invested in your authorial journey.
Nurture Relationships with Book Bloggers
The book blogging niche is booming drastically. Many bookworms use their writing abilities to write blogs about the publications they read. They share their reading experience with the world. You can ask them to read your manuscript and post their honest reviews on the blog. Their positive recommendations can influence your potential readers and persuade them to take explore your work.
How to market your book effectively?
Hire someone to make the front cover eye-catching and launch an Amazon author page. Naturally advertise your book in guest blogs, interviews, podcasts, and social media posts. Use your creativity to outline your promotional efforts. Collaborate with book bloggers and social media influencers to create a sensation around your work.
How do publishers promote their books?
They have marketing and publicity teams that undertake a campaign for the publication. They focus on driving sales. They use free and paid promotional strategies to help a manuscript make a name for itself.
How are successful book sales?
Selling a few thousand can be considered a success for a first-time author. On the other hand, selling hundreds of thousands of copies can be the benchmark for a well-established author.
Wrapping Up
These were seven proven strategies from an expert marketer that you can master to effectively market your book. Keep in mind that small steps lead to huge accomplishments when taken consistently. If you aren’t getting the expected results, something might be wrong with the way you’re implementing strategies. Keep practicing to discover your mistakes and find the solution. Whether you’re a fantasy wordsmith or an insightful non-fiction author, these proven strategies will help you make your book the next blockbuster. So, try them out to see your work soaring to new heights of literary success.
