Literary Agents are full of great advice for both new and seasoned authors. They not only know the industry inside and out but also know what the best book marketing tips for authors are.
Writing and publishing your book is what gets your book finished and bound. Book marketing is what gets your book in the hands of your target readers.
Once your book is ready for publication, you need to get out of your comfort zone and exercise some serious business and marketing acumen.
The biggest question I get from new and seasoned authors is: How can I sell more books and get it in the hands of more readers? The answer is a well thought out publicity and book marketing strategy that is aligned with your business plan. There is no one book marketing strategy that works for every author. Book marketing needs to be customized and aligned with your goals and story. Remember, your story is unique and so is your book marketing strategy.
But to help you, I have put together the best book marketing tips for authors straight from the top literary agents in the publishing trenches.
Below you will find 13 of the best Book Marketing Tips for Authors to help you start attracting new readers.
Lloyd D. Kelly – Kelly Consulting Agency Inc.
“So many authors believe that their work is done once they have finished writing their book. Not true. In fact, the marketing phase of their publication can be the most critical part of the publishing process. Writers really need to stay engaged and involved with their publicist or book marketing team. So many terrific books just don’t sell, while so many less than terrific ones do. Why? Because you need to take the time to promote your book by engaging with your target reader.”
Howard Yoon – Ross Yoon Agency
“You know your readers better than your publisher, so think through what it’s going to take to convince 5000 of them to spend the money to buy your book. How about 10,000 readers? How about 20,000 and 50,000 readers?
Outline all the different ways you can reach your target readership. Then make a list of all the organizations, interest groups, publications or channels you can access that will help you get to those book buyers.
You can not only depend on Social media as a way to promote your book. Your twitter account will not sell books. What will sell books is you figuring out how to tap into the networks where these 50k book buyers hang out. Your goal is to get your book’s message across through those networks and channels.
When you first start marketing your book, focus on your core readers.
Outline how you plan to convert them into book buyers? And from there you can keep growing towards accumulating a broader readership. No two books are the same, and no two books should be marketed the same.”
Sharlene Martin – Martin Literary Management
“Be aware of those who take the time to leave nice reviews for you on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc. I encourage you to build a relationship with your readers by responding with a sweet short reply thanking them for taking the time not only to read your book, but to leave an online review encouraging others to as well. It makes a reader feel as though they know you, and that you’re a respectful writer who appreciates the time and money spent to devour your work.”
Cynthia Ruchti, award-winning author of more than two dozen books – Books & Such Literary management”
“As a multi-published author and now a literary agent, I’m more convinced than ever that the best marketing tip for a new writer is to make every marketing and social media effort reader-focused.
What are the reader’s…
- needs
- questions
- interests
- longings
- time-constraints…?
What will make a reader say, “Oh, I needed that!” Rather than, “Oh, another sales pitch”?
When directing potential readers to your book, consider how you can turn it into something that encourages or equips. A meaningful quote from your book, a helpful tip related to your book’s theme, a compelling reason to reach for the book that has nothing to do with its price but everything to do with how the book will make the reader feel or how it will better the reader’s life. That mindset shift can change everything. It’s not about needing them to buy the book. It’s about the book (and the author) meeting reader needs.”
Jessica Faust – President of Bookends LIterary Agency
“Of all the things authors are asked to do I think marketing or talking about your book is the hardest.
My best book marketing tips for authors is to not to be afraid to talk about your book.
When people ask what you’ve written be ready to proudly and unapologetically tell them all about your book. If necessary, have postcards or a bookmark in hand at every turn. The same holds for social media. (which I think is the number one source of all book marketing these days) While certainly, you want to inundate people with nothing but book talk, you do want to regularly post both about your everyday life and about your book. My suggestion is set up 3-5 posts a week that in some way relate to your book. Maybe it’s a picture of your book in a bookstore or a quote from a new review. Perhaps it’s little glimpses into your next book, a recipe that relates to the book, or a picture that inspired you.
Once you start publishing great posts, make sure you interact! Interaction is the key to successful social media marketing. It’s one thing to “like” something, but it’s entirely different to share or repost that review and thank the blogger, reviewer, or bookstore owner publicly. Remember, those people are in this for themselves too. While they might love blogging and giving reviews, they are also looking to build their own names and recognition.
Most of all though, have fun. Marketing is a scary term so don’t think of it as marketing. Think of it as sharing the news joyfully.”
Jill Marsal – Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
“I would suggest new authors work on building their platform before they publish their book. This includes building up your social media presence, networking with other authors who can help promote your future book, speaking, blogging, writing articles, and doing interviews. You want to be able to help the publisher spread the word about your upcoming book to your target readership.”
Laura Strachan – Strachan Literary Agency
“Understand that marketing is as much your job as writing the book is (or was). Your publisher isnÂąt going to do it for you. Take it seriously. Block out time each day to work on your website and social media. Remember what is important is to connect with people, not try to sell them. Buying your book will come naturally after you genuinely connect with your target readers.”
Robert Mackwood is President and Owner of the Seventh Avenue Literary Agency in Vancouver Canada.
“The best book marketing tips for authors is easy to describe but for many authors challenging to execute successfully. After 35 years in book publishing, dealing with hundreds of authors, I have only witnessed a handful that uses this technique successfully. Ironically it isn’t rocket science nor necessarily even expensive.
The best book marketing tips for authors is about selling yourself and, by extension, your book.
The handful that I have watched do this include an author who monitors local radio stations and phones in when appropriate to talk about the current topic while tying it to their just released book. It’s a writer who stands up at a town-hall type meeting and not only makes a point but somehow manages to tie it into the copy of their book.
These are people who know they are the best salesperson for their book. These are people who go into bookstores, face out each copy of their book, move some to other sections, introduce themselves and thanks each staff member on the floor that day.
There is a “best before” date on many books. As an author you have a short window of time before the next avalanche of books arrive and push your book farther afield. In the world of non-fiction where I am most involved, that claim is much more relevant for some genres than others. But for authors who constantly and effectively self-promote their book stays in the store a little longer and gets a better chance at success than most others.”
Denise Bukowski – Bukowski Agency
“I’d say in this era of reduced marketing budgets for the average book release, authors need to work on building a community of readers who will buy their books.
Social media, bookstore events or conventions, and newsletters are all ways authors can connect with their readers and build relationships. Giving dedicated readers exclusive access to behind the scenes stuff like cover reveals, early excerpts, access to ARCs, all engender positive reactions, and will keep readers coming back. As an author, you need multiple outlets because you will not find readers engaging only on one platform. This is why publishers look at things like author platforms and reach when they’re at the acquisitions table, an author who works to build these things up before their first release is a step ahead of an author who has to build from scratch.”
Jonny Geller – Curtis Brown Agency
“My best book marketing tips for authors is to be clear. If you can’t describe your novel in a concise, inviting and dynamic way, nobody can. Go back to the moment of conception of the story and ask yourself:
‘Why did I write it?’
‘What do I want my readers to feel?’
‘What is it really about?’
When you have answered these questions, you can lure readers in.”
Mary Kole – former literary agent with eight years of experience in the traditional publishing industry.
“All of my success in marketing my editorial services has been earned by delivering valuable content.
Your audience will grow tired of your message if it’s always about you, your book, what you have, etc. Sure, this information is what will sell copies of your book, but think about taking the indirect route.
My best book marketing tips for authors is always to add value first.
Readers are first attracted to value as it builds trust. After you provide value, then you can remind them about what you’re selling.
For fiction writers, this can be tough. What can you put out there that has value but that’s not about you? A writer’s first audience is usually other writers. Try blogging or Tweeting about interesting writing-related topics, and any news or information pertinent to the subject matter of your novel.
Nonfiction writers have it much easier because their work is already topic-driven, and ideally aimed at a specific audience. (if they’re writing a book of financial advice, for example) However, fiction books are still about something with a timely or content-rich angle; one would hope!
For every four or five pieces of valuable, interesting, audience-focused information you send out into the world, feel free to do a blurb about yourself and your book. Work hard at this and give it away for free. I promise sales will follow. It’s the “long dollar” approach. If you don’t follow this approach, your whole presence will come across as self-serving.”
Gordon Warnock – Partner at Fuse Literary Agency
“Just this month, one of my clients saw her debut novel, RAPID FALLS, get published and immediately shoot to #1 overall in the Kindle store. We had a lot of discussions in the months leading up to publication, and if I had to pick the best book marketing tips for authors to share, it’s that it’s dangerous to go alone.
Writing is a solitary act, but publishing is by nature public, so resist the temptation to stay in your little bubble.
Reach out. Connect with other authors in your genre. You’re writing in a genre because you love that genre, so go all-in, and make that your new family.
Don’t treat these authors like your competition, and don’t try to climb them to reach your own success. Help them out, and give them a boost. If they do better, you will do better. This mindset is both a security blanket when you need it and a substantial investment in your future as an author.”
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