Writing a book takes passion and perseverance, but publishing it is just the beginning. For self-published authors, the real challenge starts after the final page is written—getting the book into readers’ hands. While writing comes from passion, marketing demands strategy, persistence, and a touch of hustle.
Many talented authors struggle not because their books aren’t good, but because not enough people know they exist. That’s where marketing comes in – not as a luxury, but as a necessity.
You don’t need a huge budget or a publishing house behind you to market your book successfully. With the right mix of creativity and effort, you can build visibility, grow your audience, and boost downloads or sales on your terms. Some of the methods we’ll cover may seem small or even unnecessary at first glance, but when your goal is to be read, every step counts. In this post, we’ll explore 10 not-so-secret, yet often-overlooked marketing tips to help your book stand out and get the attention it deserves.
Set Up Your Author Home Base
Your author’s website is the foundation of your online presence – it’s where readers, media outlets, and potential collaborators go to learn more about you and your books.
At a minimum, your author website should include key features such as your bio, book information with buy links, social media handles, a contact form, and a blog or newsletter sign-up to help grow your audience. Treat your website like your digital business card—complete with all the essential features that represent you and your brand.
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A great book needs a great online home. A professional author website helps you grow your readership, showcase your work, and build long-term credibility—all in one place.
Expand Your Reach with Online Content
Great content builds trust, authority, and long-term visibility. A regularly updated blog, thoughtful guest posts, or informative articles in your niche can attract readers organically through search engines and social shares. This is especially important for nonfiction authors looking to position themselves as experts.
Don’t have time to write? Consider partnering with content writing services to help you publish SEO-friendly posts, book updates, or newsletters. The more you show up online with valuable content, the easier it becomes for readers to find you.
Master the Art of Social Media Marketing
Social media can be your most powerful (and free) book marketing medium- if you use it right. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) allow you to connect with readers, share writing updates, post teasers, and even run giveaways.
Visual content works especially well, so consider using elements like cover reveals, quote cards, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Managing it all can feel overwhelming, but that’s where social media services come in. With the right strategy and scheduling, you can grow your community without burning out.
Remember: Consistency is more important than being everywhere. Select 1-2 platforms where your readers congregate and focus on building meaningful relationships.
Study What the Best-sellers are Doing
Before you hit publish, take time to study top-performing books in your genre. Look at their covers, pricing strategies, blurbs, keywords, and especially their reviews. What draws readers in? What common themes or visuals keep popping up?
Success leaves clues. If you’re a fantasy writer, check how epic the covers are. Writing romance? Note the tone and color palette. If you’re launching your first book, reverse-engineering what works in your category can give you a major head start. These insights also help inform your branding, positioning, and ad targeting later.
Build Your Review Strategy Early
Reviews influence buying decisions – plain and simple. According to the Spiegel Research Center, books with at least five reviews are 270% more likely to sell than those with none. That’s why you need a solid review strategy long before your launch.
Start by sending advance reader copies (ARCs) to early readers, bloggers, and book reviewers. As a rule of thumb, contact at least 4X the number of reviews you’re aiming for. If you want 25 reviews, reach out to 100 potential reviewers.
Following up after 1-2 weeks increases your chances. You can plan and execute review campaigns without sounding robotic or pushy.
Craft a Blurb That Sells
Your book blurb is your 100-150-word pitch to the world. It lives on your Amazon sales page, book cover, and most online marketplaces. A strong blurb starts with a hook that sparks curiosity, introduces the plot or core message using emotionally charged words, and ends with a cliffhanger or reason to buy.
Use words like mysterious, powerful, life-altering, or unforgettable, depending on your genre. If you have early editorial praise, include a line or two – it adds credibility. Fiction blurbs might tease a turning point or reveal a conflict, while nonfiction blurbs should explain who the book is for and what readers will gain.
Think of it as your movie trailer in text form.
Don’t DIY Your Cover - Invest in It
It’s true: People judge books by their covers. A professionally designed cover increases your click-through rate and gives your book instant credibility. This is especially important on crowded platforms like Amazon, where your book appears as just one thumbnail among thousands.
Great covers align with genre expectations while standing out visually. Whether you’re self-publishing an epic fantasy or a business how-to guide, working with an experienced designer can mean the difference between a scroll past and a click.
If you’re budgeting for your book, prioritize the cover before you even think about ads.
Go Wide with Your Book Distribution
While many authors go all-in on Amazon, consider making your book available through other platforms like Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and IngramSpark for wider reach.
Each additional retailer is a new sales channel and brings more visibility.
To make your books easier to find on all platforms, optimize your metadata. This is where SEO services can help: from refining your book title and subtitle to selecting the right keywords and categories, small tweaks can make a big difference in discoverability.
Going wide isn’t just about more stores – it’s about smarter exposure.
Take Advantage of Amazon’s Built-In Tools
Amazon’s marketing tools are some of the most powerful in the publishing world. Use KDP Select to unlock promotional perks like Kindle Countdown Deals and free book days. Enroll your book in A+ Content to create enhanced, branded sales pages with visuals and extra info.
To take it further, try PPC services to run Amazon ads targeting specific keywords or genres. Even a modest $5–10/day ad budget can drive sales if your product page (cover, blurb, reviews) is optimized. Monitor your ad performance weekly to adjust and scale what’s working.
Make Goodreads Work For You
Goodreads is home to 65+ million readers, making it a goldmine for book promotion. Start by joining the Goodreads Author Program to claim your author profile, add books, and engage in discussions. Run a Goodreads Giveaway to build buzz and encourage reviews—these giveaways often get thousands of views.
Reviews can even be collected before your release date. Just remember: Goodreads reviews won’t show up on Amazon (even though Amazon owns Goodreads), so don’t rely on one platform alone. To get reviews, reach out personally and follow up. Authenticity goes a long way in the book community.
Within three months, the brand saw a 40% increase in unlinked brand mentions within generative tools and an increase in direct traffic from citation tools.
Conclusion
Marketing a book—especially for self-published authors—can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the strategies outlined above, you now have a diverse toolkit for connecting with readers and growing your author brand.
Whether you focus on building your online presence, engaging in content marketing, or exploring traditional methods, success comes from choosing tactics that align with your voice and goals. Start small, test what works, and evolve your approach over time.
If you’re looking to strengthen your efforts further, consider building a professional author website or investing in digital marketing strategies like SEO or PPC to reach a broader audience. With the right tools and support, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a confident, successful author-marketer.
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Book marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From SEO to social media and review strategies, we help self-published authors grow their reach and sell more books—without burning out.
FAQs: Common Questions About GEO vs SEO
How to market an author?
Build a strong online presence through a website, blog, and social media. Network with readers, writers, and influencers in your genre.
What is the best marketing strategy for a book?
Combine email marketing, social media promotion, and Amazon ads with a compelling book launch to maximize visibility and sales.
How to promote yourself as a new author?
Share your writing journey on social media, offer free chapters, and engage in relevant online communities like Goodreads and Reddit.
How to increase the sales of books?
Optimize your book’s cover, blurb, and keywords, run promotions or discounts, and collect reviews to boost visibility and trust.
How can authors get more book reviews?
Ask early readers, build an ARC (Advance Review Copy) team, and politely request reviews from readers via your email list or back matter.
How to become a #1 best-selling author?
Choose a niche category, coordinate a strong launch with pre-orders and promos, and drive traffic through ads and influencer mentions.
What are the common mistakes authors make when marketing their books?
Skipping professional editing/cover design, not identifying a target audience, and failing to market consistently are top mistakes.
What are some affordable marketing strategies for new authors?
Use social media, join Facebook author groups, guest blog, start an email list, and leverage free promotional sites for exposure.
