How to Market a Book: 7 Book Marketing Strategies

A book marketing plan includes publicity and promotional marketing efforts to help sell books and reach more readers. All books—from fantasy and children’s literature to biographies and other nonfiction books—can benefit from marketing tools that widen a book’s reach. Book sales rely highly on marketing services such as journalism features, book tours, and promotion on social media platforms. Often, a hired publicist will play a key role in managing and executing marketing ideas, including in-person events (panels, book tours, launches) and digital efforts (webinars, SEO optimization, and targeted banner ads and promos).

Whether an author is publishing their first book or tenth, book marketing is invaluable to pushing the author's brand and getting more readers to discover the title. Publishing houses generally build buzz with press releases and events ahead of a launch:

1. 1. Blast a press release. A hired publicist will help expedite all marketing processes, starting with a press release. The press release announces the book and is sent to journalists and community leaders to get them excited about the upcoming release. A press release should include a compelling book description, the author bio, and testimonials from illustrious readers and thinkers who can lend a quote to sing the book’s praises.
2. 2. Share the book cover. A second press release may follow to share the book cover. A beautiful and provocative book cover design can attract more readers and get the book trending online.
3. 3. Schedule press events. A release will follow, which is when the press blitz begins. Book launches, tours, and interviews allow people to meet the author and learn more about the book.

Publishing houses often have in-house publicity teams to offer the author platforms for advertising and press. Self-published authors execute book marketing strategies on their own or hire an independent group. Efforts here involve handing out free books, relying on cheaper tools like social media, or harnessing word of mouth to introduce new readers to indie authors.

Book marketing comes in many forms. Whether you are promoting a self-published book or working with a publishing house, combining multiple distinct efforts makes for a more robust campaign:

1. 1. Pre-orders: Before a book goes on sale, the author's website can offer a pre-order discount to their email list or entice early buyers with giveaways or signed copies of the book.
2. 2. Book launch: A festive book launch at an esteemed venue can generate buzz and bring together high-profile guests to take the book home and share it with followers.
3. 3. Book reviews: Reviews from bloggers and more prominent outlets like The New York Times can help spread the word, and publicists will be in charge of coordinating press copies of books, so reviewers have time to read them.
4. 4. Audience outreach: Authors and publicists can also outreach to fan bases and book clubs who may have an interest in the genre of the book at hand to sell the book.
5. 5. Interviews: Podcast interviews and article Q&As are all ways to have readers further learn about and engage with the new book.
   
6. 6. Bookstores tour: Authors may also take their book on the road, touring around the shops that are likely to sell the book. These tour stops can turn into dynamic events, allowing readers and fans to meet the author, who may sign copies or engage in a Q&A session with the bookshop staff.
7. 7. Social media: Starting a clever hashtag distinct to the new book’s content is one way to get the book trending. The book or author may build their own social media profiles to interact with fans and readers online.

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