If you have a self-published book to sell, then you’ve probably heard the hype about how word-of-mouth recommendations and positive reviews build interest and convince readers to buy your book. And it’s all true! But these aren’t the only ways to generate book sales. At Self-Publishing Relief, our marketing experts know time-tested techniques that will give your word-of-mouth marketing a shot in the arm and effectively boost your sales.
How To Market Your Self-Published Book And Support Word-Of-Mouth Sales
Place ads in local newspapers. This may seem old-fashioned, but it can make a difference! Place an ad in a local paper or magazine announcing that your book is for sale. You’ll reach potential readers who will want to support a local writer and who are intrigued by your book’s topic.
Make “merch” for your book. From posters to bookmarks to pins to art pieces inspired by your book, readers are always excited to receive these fun freebies! These items will keep your book-buying info right in front of your readers and make it easy for them to recommend your book to their friends.
Hand out flyers. Libraries and cafés always have thriving community bulletin boards, and we bet they’d be happy to hang up a flyer about your book! Bonus: If you need to ask for permission to put up your book’s flyer, maybe you can ask about hosting a reading as well!
Become a regular at your local independent bookstore. Find out if your local independent bookstore is willing to stock your book. If you frequent the store, they may be more likely to give your book some shelf space. You might even be able to schedule a book signing event. The benefits here go both ways: You’ll get to advertise your book, and the bookstore will get more business and support!
Make blog “appearances.” Offer to write guest blog posts on popular sites for readers. Find blogs that cater to your ideal reading audience, and you’ll see that writing a guest blog or giving an interview to a blogger is an awesome way to reach a whole new audience without ever leaving your home.
Talk about your book on podcasts. Today’s readers and writers love podcasts! If you’re comfortable talking to an audience, this is a great opportunity to promote your book and let readers get to know you! Many readers enjoy putting a voice and personality to your book cover bio.
Use social media to your advantage. Posting regularly and building a social media presence is a great way to reach a large number of potential readers at once! Even if you’re not naturally a social butterfly, choose a social media platform that works for you and give it a try.
Reach out to readers directly. Do you ever wish you could give readers a message to carry with them as they’re reading your book? You can! Write a “Dear Reader” letter and post it on your author website, in guest blogs, even in your book. A letter is a great personal touch to connect you to readers!
Work with other writers. Cross-promotion is a tried-and-true technique! You’ll bring your book to the audiences of other writers, and vice versa. You can share news on each other’s social media platforms , and host book readings, signings, and panel discussions together.
Should You Pay For Professional Advertising For Your Self-Published Book?
The independent writers’ community is largely torn on whether paid advertising for your book is worthwhile. The sad truth is that many so-called “expert” marketing companies will take advantage of eager self-published writers. Be wary of companies that make big promises about promoting your book, but are vague in detailing what services you’re actually paying for. There’s also no reason to pay for a service you could do yourself!
That being said, there are some paid services that could help advertise your book without breaking the bank:
- Buy your way into large-scale, targeted mass mailings to reach the right readers for your book.
- Pay-per-click ads are also available and can be useful—but be warned that these can also get pricey.
- Book endorsements or “book blurbs” from professional reviewers, bloggers, or authors can help give your book “social proof.”
Word of mouth is a great way to build your sales. But having marketing that supports and boosts your word-of-mouth efforts will ultimately have a positive effect on your profits!
Question: What type of advertising has had the most impact on your self-published book sales?
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