Whether you have been published by a traditional publisher or via an indie one, nowadays authors are expected to promote their books. To many, like me, this is a fairly alien concept. I didn’t become an author to write copy and spend hours building my numbers on social media to encourage sales. Sadly, however, this is the way of the world, and authors need to bite the bullet and raise their heads above the parapet to get noticed.
I am by no means an expert in this field, and my sales are far from huge, but without promotion, no one will know you have written a book.
So, here are a few things that have worked for me or other writers I know and may help you in the future.
1. Have a social media presence. This doesn’t have to be huge, but it does need to exist. In the Winter edition of The Author 2023, author Jenny Alexander wrote an article on this same subject entitled – Speak up! She said, ‘Because publishers want to know how many followers I had, I got the idea it was a numbers game until I read somewhere that there was no point in having loads of followers who don’t engage when just a hundred ‘superfans’ can make a best seller. Small communities that do engage, in the virtual as well as the real world, that’s what I enjoy.’
So, sign up for Blue Sky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook and even LinkedIn. Keep your posts succinct and with great pictures of your book. Add excerpts to tempt the reader. I would also suggest that you avoid Twitter, sorry X, these days as it is a little like shouting into the void and also Elon Musk…
2. Engaging with your local writing community is also a great way to get traction on your book. Whether that is through talks in your local library, at your local writing group or on local radio or if appropriate in schools (my books are definitely not appropriate for schools, but I know a lot of authors who write for children and young adults, and this can hugely increase your sales and presence as an author).
3. Speak to local bookshops. Can you present an author event for your novel? Can you leave copies of your book with them for them to sell on your behalf? In my experience, they have been happy to do this on a sale or return basis.
4. Write a blog. Or have a YouTube channel or, if you are braver than me become a booktoker on TikTok. All of these things can help promote your book.
5. Pay for a blog tour or similar – you can have TikTok book tours, Instagram Tours and all sorts. My book About Charlie (which you can buy here) is starting a book tour on the 13th of January with @zooloosbooktours – This will lead to About Charlie getting reviewed and these reviews will be added to Amazon and in some cases Goodreads. Reviews help readers decide if they want to read your book and add credibility to your novel.
There are loads of people who offer these services, it really depends on what you are looking for and what you can afford.
I would love to say that as a result of all of the above, I have become a hugely successful author. Sadly, that is not the case and like most authors, I have to supplement my income with another job. But, if I did none of those things I wouldn’t get any traction on my books, and why write them if no one reads them? Good luck and keep writing. Jane x
You can find me on social media @muddynosugar
My blog is - https://muddynosugar.wordpress.com/ or here https://substack.com/@muddynosugar67
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