If we lived in a utopia, maybe you would write a good book, and the world would hear about it.
Unfortunately, we don’t, and there are many great writers who will never be heard of because they don’t know how to promote their book online.
It is one thing to have writing skills, it is another thing to know the business of writing. That business part is where many writers struggle.
I fell into this category before I started doing research, and maybe you can relate to it too. If you can, then you need to read this to learn how to promote your book online.
Before You Promote Your New Book Online
The first thing I need to mention before proceeding is that many writers are, unfortunately, timid and scared to put themselves out there because they are afraid of criticism.
I get it, and can relate.
But you see, there is really nothing much I can say to you besides the fact that you need to face that fear of being judged, or you will always remain unknown.
After writing something great, run it by your personal network and tell them to give you their honest opinion.
As much as they may be blunt, they love you, so they would likely euphemise their words, unlike the general public that would likely not be that forgiving.
However, you need to encourage them to be truthful; you don’t need them to coddle you if you want the right feedback. And make sure you embrace their feedback to improve your work.
Of course, if you are publishing traditionally, you will also have the feedback of your publishers. If not, go ahead to publish your work with confidence.
Those who will like your work will, and those who don’t want – so don’t stress yourself about the latter if you’ve done your homework.
Now, I say this to say, you will likely not promote your book properly if you are not confident about what you are promoting.
You need confidence to put it out there, because if you don’t believe in what you have, how do you convince others to do the same?
But if you know you have a great book, you are more likely to do all it takes to put it out there.
How to Promote Your Book Online
Having set the stage, let’s go on to learn how to promote your new book online – or even an old book that has not left your little corner.
1. Build an Author’s Website
A lot of writers do not understand why they should own a website. If you are in that category, read this article on the importance of owning a website as a writer before you continue.
An author’s website serves as your online home – it’s where readers come to learn about you, your books, and what you’re working on next.
It is a good opportunity to have detailed information about you all in one place. And it doesn’t even have to be so elaborate, especially at the start.
A clean, mobile-friendly site with your bio, book links, and contact info can suffice.
You can also include a media kit for journalists or bloggers, and a press section to showcase interviews or features.
Besides the fact that an author’s bio helps you sell your book, it is a great way to create your brand, and it’s a hub where all your promotions and updates live. Plus, it makes you look professional and trustworthy.
And yes, you can totally build one on a budget using tools like Wix or WordPress.
2. Use a Blog
I know blogging seems like a saturated venture today, but it isn’t dead; it’s actually your secret weapon for building trust and SEO.
SEO is an amazing strategy to be found on the internet by interested readers.
So, consider starting a blog where you can write posts that tie into your book’s theme or share writing tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal insights.
For example, if your book is about time travel, you can blog about your research process or your favourite time-travel stories. This helps you attract readers who are already into your genre.
Plus, Google loves fresh content, so every post boosts your visibility.
Don’t limit your work to Google or other search engines, though; share your blog across your social platforms to keep the traffic flowing.
Now, don’t overwhelm yourself with the number of posts to publish, the trick is to stay consistent – one post a week is better than ten in a month and then nothing for a year.
3. Collaborate with Book Bloggers
Book bloggers – especially those who have been doing it for years – have what you are looking for: loyal followers who trust their taste.
Reach out with a friendly email offering a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review or feature.
Make sure to personalise your message; don’t just copy and paste a template – that just sounds tacky, and people always know.
So, take time to write a message from your heart.
Also, book bloggers have specific niches, so look for bloggers who actually review your genre. If your book’s a cosy mystery, don’t pitch it to a horror reviewer.
And don’t be discouraged by rejections; it’s all part of it. But when a blogger says yes, be professional, thank them, and share their post like crazy to show you appreciate them.
It’s a win-win for both of you, and it may even give you an influential voice on your side when you write your next book.
4. Engage Influencers
Once many people hear ‘Influencers’, the first thing that comes to mind is fashion, but there are influencers in different industries, including the book industry.
Whether you want to promote your book on Amazon or promote your book on social media, book influencers can go a long way in getting your work out there.
Like book bloggers, they have the number; all you have to do is reach out.
If you don’t know where to look, think BookTok, Bookstagram, or even YouTube creators who do reading vlogs or bookshelf tours.
Find influencers who genuinely engage with their audience and have a vibe that fits your book. A well-placed video or mention from them can generate massive buzz.
However, don’t focus only on follower count; micro-influencers often have stronger engagement.
Offer them a free copy, and request a giveaway deal or ask if they’d like to do a Q&A with you. Be polite and authentic in your message. If they love your book, they’ll shout it from the rooftops, and that’s more sales for you.
Also Read: How to Determine the Best Social Media Platform to Promote Your Book
5. Leverage Social Media
Is it possible to want to promote a new book and not do it on social media? I don’t know how that’s possible.
You may get away with it if you are an established name with a team to do your publicity, but if you’re just starting, you need to do most of the heavy lifting yourself.
Before you get carried away, you don’t need to be on every platform; just choose one or two where your readers hang out and go all in.
If your book is more professional, try LinkedIn. If it’s for young adults, maybe TikTok and Instagram. If you want to appeal to older people or millennials, Facebook groups are great.
Plus, if you have the time, you can try out different platforms and see which works best for you. However, one thing is consistent across the board: you must be consistent and engaging.
You can’t just share “buy my book” posts; no one will listen to you. You must also let people into your writing journey. Post quotes, fun facts, character sketches, or writing struggles.
You can also talk about other books you are reading or even personal things about your life without giving out information you’re not comfortable sharing, of course. The idea is to be human; don’t just be there to sell.
In addition, use relevant hashtags and interact with other authors, readers, and fans. Comment, like, and share others’ content too; it’s social media for a reason.
When people feel like they know you, they’ll root for you – and yes, they’ll buy the book too.
6. Start an Email List
Social media comes and goes, but your email list is yours forever. It’s a direct line to your most engaged fans. So, every writer should strive to have an email list.
Fortunately, you don’t have to start with a thousand. Start with the number you have and gradually build up. To build an email list, you need a lead magnet. You need to offer something in exchange for people’s email addresses.
As a writer, you can share a short story or a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into your work. Then, keep in touch with updates, exclusive content, or early access to new releases.
Make sure not to spam them; let every email feel like a note from a friend. Over time, this list will become your most powerful tool for book launches, pre-orders, and even gathering feedback from your biggest supporters.
Also Read: Best Email Marketing Platforms for Writers
7. Request Book Reviews
Readers will trust another reader before they trust you, the writer. That is why book reviews are great for building trust and visibility.
Since you won’t personally know every reader who reads your books, include a request for readers to drop a review at the end of your book, in your emails or on social media.
Some authors even create a little “review guide” to make it easy. And don’t freak out over the occasional 3-star – it’s actually better than all 5s, which can look suspicious.
You want authentic reviews, not suspicious ones – so don’t panic or fight against negative reviews. They can even serve as feedback for your next book.
Just make sure you have a good book so you can have more good reviews.
8. Do a Book Tour
One of the best ways to promote a book is with a book tour.
You can do a physical book tour and a virtual one to give your book visibility. Yes, virtual book tours are a thing, and they can be just as effective as in-person ones (bonus: you can do them in your pyjamas).
Team up with bloggers, podcasts, TV shows, Instagram pages, or book clubs to line up a series of interviews, guest posts, or live chats over a week or month.
Reach out to them and let them know you would like to appear on their show. Be polite, of course, and don’t let the nos you get deter you.
Remember that some also need guests to appear on their show regularly to keep it going, so don’t hesitate to send that mail, as it could be a win-win situation.
Book tours are great for increasing visibility and making noise across different platforms at once. They also help build momentum before and after your book launch.
9. Use Paid Advertising
Sometimes, you’ve got to pay to promote your work, especially when you’re just starting. Consider advertising on different platforms for a more robust marketing strategy.
For instance, Facebook and Instagram ads let you target specific demographics, while Amazon ads get your book in front of active shoppers.
You don’t have to put in a large budget; even a small one can go far if your ad copy and visuals are strong. So, make sure to invest in a good copywriter and designer as well.
You can promote a limited-time discount or use ads to build your email list first, before engaging them organically.
Also, when promoting, test different versions to see what works; don’t just throw money and hope for magic.
And be patient, as you might not get results overnight. But done right, ads can improve your visibility and put your book in front of the readers.
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