Being a self-published author isn’t an easy route. While it comes with its own perks like control, flexibility, and freedom, you have to be ready to put in the work.
In other words, you are your own boss, but with responsibilities. A major one is marketing your book yourself. Since a traditional publisher isn’t handling promotion or sales, it’s entirely up to you to get your book out there.
Of course, you could also go with the other option where you hand over the responsibility to self-publishing companies. Unlike traditional publishers, you pay them for their service and get total control.
But if you want to handle everything yourself, you have to handle everything yourself, including marketing.
So, if you’re wondering how to market your book as a self-published author, then this article is for you. By the end, you will learn ways to promote your self-published book, book promotion ideas, and tips for selling your book.
So how do you actually get people to notice your book? Let’s go through a few things that can help you get noticed and grow your reader base.
How to Market Your Book as a Self-Published Author
1. Build Your Brand
Your brand is the first thing people remember about you. It shows the type of stories you tell or messages you stand for. This is one of the easiest book promotion ideas, which is why it is often overlooked.
Yet, it’s necessary when marketing a self-published book because the more people know you and what you’re about, the easier they can plug into what you’re offering.
So, make sure to choose a social media platform or two where you can post consistently to build a community. Then, you need to choose colours and a style that match your voice, so you’re recognisable everywhere.
Use them in your covers, website, and social media pages.
Additionally, finding your voice as a writer helps with branding; you want people to know who you are just by reading your piece.
If you do all this, with time, readers will start to recognise you even before reading your name, and that makes selling self-publishing a piece of cake.
Also Read: brand
2. Write a Very Good Book
No book promotion strategy will work if your book itself isn’t worth reading. So, you must focus on quality when creating your book.
That means, tell your story clearly, edit it properly, and take your time to polish it.
Besides marketing it personally, readers talk to other readers. When they love a book, they buzz about it to others.
Good writing will sell itself first before you even promote it. So before anything else, put your energy into writing something people will buy and want to recommend.
3. Make Your Books in Series
Here’s a simple tip for mastering book promotion; turn it into a series. Readers love following characters or lessons from one book to the next.
In that fiction book you just wrote, find a loophole that begs for a book 2. My non-fiction authors can do the same, that self-help or business book can have a book 2. Knowledge is vast, after all.
It’s one of the smartest ways to market your book as a self-published author because it keeps readers coming back for more. You can even offer the first book at a lower price to draw them in. Once they’re hooked, they’ll want to buy the rest.
4. Build Your Reader Base with a Newsletter
A newsletter will help you stay in touch with your readers. If you really want to promote your self-published book, use emails as well instead of relying only on social media accounts.
This is because all it takes is one glitch and a social account is lost forever. Besides that, your account can be banned or deactivated.
So, if you want something that’s yours, a website and email marketing are better options.
Considering email ideas, you can start with a short story, guide, or a bonus chapter for anyone who subscribes. That would even serve as an effective lead magnet to get readers to subscribe to your email list.
Then send a personal note once a month with updates or writing tips.
Now this idea isn’t to sell hard but to stay in touch. Readers appreciate that and are more likely to buy from these kinds of authors.
Also Read: 10 Best Email Marketing Platforms for Writers
5. Offer Freebies and Discounts
Your readers would definitely appreciate getting a freebie or your book at a discount. And you know what they say: “Happy readers, happy author.” Alright, maybe I said that, but it’s true.
When you market your book as a self-published author, offering a free chapter, short story, or temporary discount is one of the oldest yet most effective book promotion ideas.
If the first book in a series you wrote is free, it will draw readers in and once they enjoy it, they’ll likely buy the rest.
You could also offer freebies to the first 100 buyers or those who subscribe to your email list.
6. Use Social Media a Lot
Social media is non-negotiable for a self-published author; everybody and their mama are there, so why not you?
The world is now a village and one way to speak and be heard is through social media. If you don’t know which platform to sign up for, pick Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest. Book lovers frequent these places.
The next thing is to start posting about your writing process or even thoughts from your day. The more natural you sound, the better. Talk to your followers, reply to comments, and ask questions.
These things seem little but will make them trust you and ultimately, buy from you.
7. Work with Other Authors like You
You don’t have to market your book alone. You can always partner with other authors and leverage each other’s audience.
You can plan a joint giveaway, swap newsletters, or write guest posts for each other’s blogs. This kind of teamwork is a self-publishing book marketing tip gem because it introduces you to new audiences already interested in your genre.
When readers see authors supporting one another, they remember both and that’s a good thing because your presence needs to be felt for your books to sell.
8. Use Targeted Paid Advertising
I know this might sound expensive but it doesn’t have to be. You can start with a little budget, like $5 or $10 a day, just to see what works.
Try running ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Amazon, and watch which audiences respond the most. This is a part of mastering book promotion that some are reluctant to try for obvious reasons.
However, doing this will help you reach more people who already love your kind of story. And trust me, one good ad that reaches the right readers is better than a hundred scattered ones.
9. Share Advance Copies with Reviewers
Reviews are very important when it comes to marketing because they help new readers feel confident about giving your book a chance.
Before your official launch, send early copies to reviewers, bloggers, or loyal readers who enjoy your genre. Aim for at least twenty honest reviews by the time your book goes live. You can use sites like BookSirens or reach out personally to book clubs and bookstagrammers.
Those first few reviews can be the defining line in how visible your book becomes on Amazon and other platforms.
Also Read: 12 Must-Have Tools for Self-Published Authors
Conclusion
If you’ve read to this point, then you’ve seen what it takes to market your book as a self-published author. Just follow the tips I have shared and stay consistent. Remember that there is no shortcut to success; there is always work to be done. But when you put in the effort, your book will stand a chance of becoming a bestseller.
FAQs
1. Who is the publisher of a self-published book?
In self-publishing, you are the publisher. You own the rights, control the design, and decide how and where the book is sold. The platforms you use only distribute your work; they are not your publishers.
2. Where can I sell my self-published book online
You can sell on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Kobo Writing Life, Smashwords, and Apple Books. Each one allows you to upload your book, set your price, and start earning royalties.
3. Can self-published books become bestsellers?
Yes, self-published can become best-sellers. Many of them have become bestsellers on Amazon, Kobo, and other platforms. All you need is a good book and a solid marketing plan.
4. How much can you make as a self-published author
Your earnings depend on your pricing, how well the book sells, and the platform’s royalty rate. Some authors earn a few hundred dollars a month, while others make thousands or even hundreds of thousands each year from steady sales and multiple titles.
