7 Ways to Promote My Self Published Book for Free
As an indie author, it can seem like there are infinite ways to promote my self published book. At the same time, that amount of information can be totally overwhelming. Especially if you’re not familiar with marketing. Thankfully, in my previous full-time job, I was a fashion marketing copywriter so I got to dip my toes into the vast world of marketing and online strategies.
However, if marketing seems like a foreign language to you, you’re not alone. When you’re a self published indie author, everything falls on your shoulders. (Which can be very bad for posture when you’re huddled over your laptop, furiously typing away.) There are pros and cons to being self published. On one hand, we get to do everything ourselves. On the other, we have to do everything ourselves. It’s a double edged sword.
Promoting a self published book as an indie author requires a strategic approach that encompasses digital and traditional channels. Begin by establishing a strong online presence through social media platforms, author websites, and blog tours. Engage with potential readers by sharing compelling content, hosting virtual events, and collaborating with book influencers. Leverage email marketing to build a dedicated reader base and generate buzz around your book launch. Additionally, explore partnerships with local bookstores, libraries, and book clubs to expand your reach within the community. Remember to continuously analyze your marketing efforts to optimize campaigns and ensure a successful book promotion strategy.
First and forement, this starts with your book itself. You have to have a catchy cover. Anyone who says they don’t judge a book by its cover is lying to make themselves seem better than they are. And that’s the truth. So, make sure you have the best cover you can before you start anything else. (And if you want to choose a book based on description alone, check out Seen Library.)
Next, before we even get into the ways to promote my self published book for free, you want to make sure that the content inside of your novel is polished to perfection. Or as close to it as you can get. Nothing gives self-published authors a worse reputation than a book filled with errors. Trust me. Long story short: I bought a book from a woman I thought was going to be a new friend, tried reading it and discovered dozens of errors and I’d only reached chapter three. She ended up ghosting me and I took that as the perfect excuse not to finish her novel.
The last thing you want to think about before ways to promote your book is where you’re publishing. Make sure to go with a publishing company that has good reviews and even better quality. You never want someone to look at your book and think, yeah this is definitely self published. I published my books through Amazon KDP and so far, so good. Read about how much it cost me here.
7 Ways to Promote My Self Published Book for Free
Create eye-catching content
Whether it’s on TikTok, Pinterest, or the OG Instagram, you want whatever you’re posting to catch at least a few eyes. Yes, it can be really difficult. Sometimes it feels like you’re not reaching anyone at all. (Thanks, algorithm. The only “algorithm” I love is the album by Lucky Daye.) However, it’s still important to do it. After all, you never know who is going to stumble upon your work. You want whatever you put out there to be quality over quantity.
Reels, stories, and carousels
The rules are constantly changing about what you need to post in order to grow your following. And while I think it’s important to follow those rules to a certain extent, I think the most important thing is just getting your stuff out there. Otherwise the posting schedule can feel insurmountable. Apparently you’re supposed to post 10 reels a month and carousels over single photos and something like seven stories a day. Phew. Who has time for that?!
Read More: Inspiration for Writing Short Stories from a Self-Published Author
Sign yourself up for some bookstore events
If you get nervous about public speaking, you’re not alone. I do not like it at all. Or at least, I didn’t, until I started doing it. The first time I did a reading and signing of The Manhattan Mishap at Vroman’s in Pasadena, I was consumed with pre-stage jitters. My heart was racing and my stomach was auditioning for a spot on the Olympic gymnastics team. However, once I hit the stool at the front of the room and adjusted the mic, those feelings started to dissipate. The next time I did a reading at an art gallery in Los Angeles, I felt so good about it. Was I nervous? A little bit. But mostly I told myself: this is what you’re meant to be doing and you want to be doing this as your career so get up there and do it!!!
Blog about your book, your life, everything
As always, social media is fleeting. (Although, still necessary. Unfortunately.) Blog posts are a more permanent way to create content for your books. Plus, with SEO, you can increase your chances of having your book being discovered. Blogs were super popular once upon a time and dare I say—they’re making a comeback. Not that they ever truly left. At least, not to me. I’ve been blogging my little heart out consistently for at least a decade. It’s the writer in me. I just can’t stop.
Drop off copies to your local Little Free Library
This is something I’ve been doing since moving to Los Angeles. I had an extra box of The Manhattan Mishap paperback and hardcover books in the basement and figured, why not donate them and see what happens? I’ve left probably a dozen copies around Hollywood, Pasadena, Beverly Hills. Everywhere! I hope whoever has picked them up is enjoying my sassy, scandalous debut.
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Do some podcasts and/or interviews
A few months ago, I did a podcast interview and although it hasn’t come out yet, I’m hoping that when it does, it’ll help me reach a new and wider audience! It’s a good idea to get your name out there whenever and wherever you can. Talk to people, network. You never know where it might lead. I’ve done small but worthwhile interviews with Three Magazine, Refinery29, Shoutout LA, and more. Check out a few of them here.
Purchase a few ads
This one isn’t free, but I thought it’d be good to talk about anyway. Although I haven’t personally purchased an ad for my books, I’ve heard that it can be a good idea. What I did purchase though was a Goodreads giveaway at the end of last year. I did giveaways for both of my books, The Manhattan Mishap and Thirteen Emotions. It was wild to see the number of people adding my book to their “want to read” lists keep going up and up and up! Although I’m sure not everyone who added it has an intention to actually read my book, at least it’s on their profiles for people to see. The only warning I have about a Goodreads giveaway is not to expect results right away. I had to adjust my expectations about this a little bit. Out of 113 books I gave away, I haven’t received any mentions on social media and have had less than 10 ratings. No reviews yet.
As always, keep going! If you believe in your book, it’s hard for other people not to. As one of my hot yoga instructors says: fear is contagious but so is courage! So keep doing you and get your work out there with these ways to market your book. Especially as a self-published indie author. We got this.
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