Firstly, a huge congratulations from me for completing your book! Now, it’s time to get your book out there and share your work with readers.
If you are self publishing, you will likely need to manage social media yourself, however, if you are opting for traditional publishing, you can still contribute towards the marketing of your book. Either way, this article will help!
Marketing can be extremely overwhelming, especially for new authors who may not have even used social media before. There's lots to think about; What should you post? When? And how do you create content that truly engages potential readers?
How To Use Social Media To Market Your Book
Posting on social media is an absolute must when trying to get your book out there. However, what and where you decide to post is fundamental. The obvious thoughts might be an image or video of your book on Instagram and a link for where to purchase it. Whilst this could get you a 'like' or two, this will not get you hundreds of sales. It is simply not enough and could be in the wrong place.
It is important to start with 'where should I post?'. You should not sign up to every social media platform and just post like mad. You will not be able to maintain a consistent presence, and offer high quality content across 9 platforms. Instead you must consider where you can offer the most value.
Pinterest is great for marketing your book as it is filled with people who enjoy arts and culture. So chances are you will build an engaged genuine audience on Pinterest. You can also consider Instagram for more entertaining content as this is typically where people go for entertainment ,
When it comes to posting, you cannot simply bombard your customer will 'salesy' posts, this will not work. It is advised to only post sales content 20% of the time to avoid putting your customers off. So what do you post for the other 80% of the time? Good question! You must offer valuable and engaging content that will build your online presence. We will take a closer look at this.
Social Media Content
For the 80% of the time where you are not posting salesy content, your content should first and foremost, be relevant to book lovers and the genre you write about. It is unlikely you will attract your readers if you start talking about sport. You should offer your readers something valuable that they can either learn, enjoy or share.
Here are some examples of what you can post about;
Behind-the-Scenes of Writing
Book lovers particularly enjoy seeing the process behind creating a book, especially new authors’ journeys. Sharing your creative process or daily writing rituals brings readers that little bit closer to your work.
What to Post: You can photograph your workspace, however chaotic or unorganised it may be, your readers will be interested. Inspiration boards or even your editing notes also make great social media content. Discuss what your routine looks like on writing or editing days. Here you are inviting your readers in for sneak peaks.
Tip: Be open about your challenges and victories. It is authenticity that resonates with readers.
Author Q&A
You might not be quite ready for this one yet, but one to consider! Hosting a Q&A allows you to connect with your audience, share your journey, and answer any questions they have.
What to Post: Collect questions from your followers via Instagram Stories’ question box, Twitter, or Facebook comments. Answer them in a live session or create a carousel post with answers to the most interesting questions.
Tip: Mention the inspiration behind your book, your writing process, favourite scenes, or any fun facts related to your book’s development. Audiences love getting personal insights!
Cover Reveal
The cover reveal is one of the most exciting milestones in a book launch! It creates a strong first impression and gives readers a taste of what’s to come. Don't worry, this isn't salesy, this is apart of your journey!
What to Post: Share the cover image along with a short description or teaser of the book’s story. Explain the inspiration behind the cover design if applicable, readers do love these behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Tip: Consider running a countdown leading up to the reveal for added anticipation. Use Instagram Stories, Twitter threads, or scheduled Facebook posts to build hype over a few days.
Excerpts and Teasers
Share short excerpts from your book to give readers a sense of your writing style, the tone of the story, and to spark curiosity.
What to Post: Select passages that highlight intriguing moments, unique dialogue, or showcase your protagonist’s personality. Pair it with a compelling image or graphic that aligns with your book’s theme.
Frequency: Post a teaser every few weeks as the release date approaches to keep interest high.
Tip: Use design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create beautiful quote graphics. Try out a few fonts and colour schemes to see what best represents your book.
Character Profiles
Introduce your characters in a way that makes readers curious to learn more about them and their roles in the story.
What to Post: Create profiles for main characters with their names, roles, and a few unique traits. If you have visual art skills or access to an artist, you might even include illustrations of the characters.
Tip: If your characters have distinct traits or quirks, mention them! Consider a “Who would you be in this world?” quiz or poll for added engagement.
Here is an example of a character profile from my novel; Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels;
Book Mood Boards
Creating a mood board or aesthetic for your book can visually represent the tone, setting, or themes of your story, making it highly shareable content.
What to Post: Use Pinterest or Canva to create a collage of images, colours, and textures that capture the essence of your book. Think landscapes, character vibes, mood lighting, and any special objects or themes.
Tip: Pair the mood board with a quote or a snippet that ties in with the theme. This is a great way to catch the attention of more visually-minded readers on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
Book Blurb
The blurb is often what hooks readers initially, so sharing it early in your marketing plan can generate interest and provide context.
What to Post: Share the official book blurb or tagline with an eye-catching image of the cover or a stylised graphic.
Tip: Test out variations of your blurb in social media posts to see which phrases resonate most with readers. You can then refine it for your official book description on sales platforms.
Advance Praise and Reviews
If you have early reviews or praise from beta readers or other authors, share them! Readers often rely on recommendations to choose their next read.
What to Post: Use standout quotes from early reviewers in graphic form or video testimonials if you have them. Ensure you tag the reviewers if they’re on social media.
Tip: If you’re sending ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) to bloggers or influencers, consider creating a branded hashtag for readers to follow along with all the reviews.
Launch Countdown
As the launch date approaches, a countdown builds excitement and reminds followers of the upcoming release.
What to Post: Share daily or weekly countdown graphics, revealing small hints about the book as you approach the release day. For example, on “3 Days Left,” reveal a fun fact about the story’s setting.
Tip: Create a short teaser video or GIF with a countdown timer to keep things visually interesting.
Giveaways and Contests
Giveaways are excellent for attracting new followers and engaging your current audience.
What to Post: Offer a free copy of your book, merchandise, or a related prize. To enter, ask participants to follow you, share the post, or tag a friend who loves your genre.
Tip: Team up with other authors in your genre for a group giveaway, which can help you reach a larger audience and tap into their followers.
Your “Why” Behind the Book
Sharing your personal motivation for writing the book can create a deeper connection with your readers.
What to Post: Explain why you wrote the story, what themes or issues matter to you, or any life experiences that influenced the book.
Tip: Be genuine, whether it’s a lifelong passion or a moment of inspiration, your unique “why” will inspire others and make your story more memorable.
Book Trailer or Animated Snippets
A short video can be a powerful promotional tool, capturing attention quickly and conveying the story’s essence.
What to Post: Share a 15-30 second video that hints at the story line, showcases your cover, or captures the mood of the book. You don’t need a professional studio; apps like Canva or Adobe Spark can help create effective animations.
Tip: Use this trailer in ads or as pinned posts to maximise reach.
The Release Day Post
The big day! This post should reflect your excitement and gratitude for those who have followed your journey.
What to Post: A celebratory post announcing that your book is officially available. Include a direct link to purchase and thank your followers for their support.
Tip: Use a graphic with “Available Now!” text and consider running a promotional discount or free download for launch day to encourage immediate sales.
Tips, tricks and lessons learned
As an author yourself, you would have likely learned a huge amount from writing, and perhaps some writer hacks!
What to Post: A weekly writers tip that you have discovered yourself whilst writing your masterpiece. Discuss how you came to learn it and how much easier things became after discovering it.
Tip: Present these as pins on Pinterest or single posts on Instagram. If you want to cover more than one tip, present them as a carousel with music!
Keep It Consistent
Remember, the key to successful book marketing is consistency and variety. Avoid repetitive content, and make sure each post offers something unique. Engage with your followers by responding to comments and encouraging them to share their thoughts.
Book marketing takes a lot of time and creativity, but with these ideas, you’ll build a strong foundation and grow a following that’s ready to dive into your book on release day!
Happy posting, and good luck with your launch!