Self-promotion as an author has become the way of the world. Most, after all, self-publish their own work and thus circumvent the publishing industry altogether. Though this does not mean instant success, it does mean your book can be put out into the world a lot faster.
You do this with the concession that you will not have the funding nor the expertise of those within publishing houses. It is, therefore, up to you to professionally edit your work, create a great and eye-catching cover, and, of course, market yourself.
Promoting your new book that you have self-published is not easy, but it can pay off if you follow these 5 steps:
Be Active on Social Media
The first step to self-promotion is to use the channels built specifically for such a purpose. Done right, you can build up a healthy following on social media, promote your work, and make sales.
Before you get these sales, however, you will need to follow these social media tips. Shameless self-promotion is aggravating, and won’t likely get you the following that you are looking for. Instead, aim to post content that your niche will enjoy. Great photographs, touching excerpts, and other more intimate updates about your life will go a long way.
Start a Personal Website
The next step will be to start your own website. This website needs to look great, be simple and easy to use, and of course be a destination point for your personal brand. Have an about page, a news page that updates your followers on key events like readings you will be doing, and of course have a blog.
A blog where you give advice and other key insight into the writing process will be invaluable. You want people to have the incentive to visit your website again and again.
Sell Through That Website
Building up your social media profiles and your website will do two things. It will:
- Create real relationships with your readers
- Increase your chances of a book sale
Rather than make it complicated to select your book and checkout, however, you will want to bring it all into one place. Add a BigCommerce or Shopify e-commerce store to your website, customize it, and start selling. You can boost sales by partnering with other sellers or commissioning products to be made, thus merchandising your personal brand. If you are not experienced in coding or website design, however, you will want to invest instead in specialists like blackbeltcommerce.com, so that they can get your store up and running smoothly without any hiccups. You can then become a niche seller in the writing world, and enjoy a healthy percentage of book sales at the same time.
PR and Other Marketing Tactics
Getting your name out there is going to be key to bringing in new readers and fans. Work with other companies, agencies, and authors alike to be a part of the community in the real world just as much as you are online. Organize readings, workshops, talks, and other events to get your name out there, and your reputation will increase.
Promoting your book on your own can be difficult, mostly because authors have poured their heart and soul into writing and haven’t considered all the marketing and design elements needed to promote themselves afterward. Take it slow, learn from your mistakes, and follow this guide to help keep you on the right track.
By Steve Conway
Steve Conway is a content marketing professional and inbound marketing expert. Previously, Steve worked as a marketing manager for a tech software start-up. He is passionate about discovering new software that will that will advance his already well-honed digital marketing techniques.