Okay, I admit, I haven’t been on BookTok yet, so if you’re looking for TikTok tips, look elsewhere. Anyone who does book publicity (and is a TikTok pro) you’re free to pitch us on your services.
With that out of the way, I bet you’re ready to get more book publicity. You may or may not have already hired a publicist for writers or engaged in book publicity services, but either way, there’s a struggle, isn’t there?
I’ve felt it. Even as a book publication company, and maybe especially as one, I get caught up in all the ways to promote our books and get them in front of ideal readers. What I know for sure is that the book launch is the sprint, and book publicity is the marathon. You better be in this for the long haul. And with great strategy, you can be! But like any marathon, a great start and strategic pacing are keys!
Getting a start for your book publicity
You’re ready to go at the starting block (your book launch date is here), and the gun goes off! The book is live and out in the world and you’re sitting there after running as fast and hard as you can starting to crash. You’ve posted on every social media platform, emailed your list, and ran down the street naked with your megaphone shouting out about your amazing book. Oh my, now what?
Book publicity in the Brave Healer world starts with a community-driven collaborative book launch. Oh how I love these book launches because it’s not just you sprinting off that block, it’s hundreds or thousands of your friends, family, and colleagues helping you. The energy and inspiration of a collaborative book launch are amazing, and it’s the first real publicist for writers that you should hire!
Our book publication company, including Brave Healer Productions, Brave Kids Books, and Brave Business Books, prides itself on the expert collaboration and the collaborative launch strategy. Not only does that help us achieve Amazon bestseller status, but it also creates a community of readers supporting even after we launch. It’s important to build your author platform and email list as a part of this strategy. And when you craft a collaborative launch, the ripple of book publicity is real!
You launched your book. Now what?
When you shop for book publicity services, it can be overwhelming.
“Laura, they never delivered on what they promised,” is what is told to me most often. How disappointing!
So, like any service, know what you’re paying for and get recommendations! Do your homework. Talk to people who’ve used the service. Understand which parts are their responsibility and which are yours. Do not rely on them alone. You must step up as their powerful publicity partner and work as as team. If you don’t, you risk feeling disappointed or worse, taken advantage of.
“I know a company that guarantees a New York Times bestseller.”
Really? Are you sure? Did you read the fine print? Seriously, people—read the fine print. Understand the promises at the next level. Read, research, and do your homework.
Plus, think about it like this. . . would you like to pay for book publicity and have it be a crap shoot? Or would you like to build a know-love-trust relationship with readers who become super fans and want the next book you have coming out? The authentic versions of book publicity where readers are getting to know you, love you, and trust you is something that will create an energy, intention, and book sales that continues, and doesn’t just bring in income, but builds a community that helps you build your business and leave your legacy.
This is no ordinary book publicity, and it’s a longer game. But it’s worth it.
Here are 12 tips for successful book publicity
- Do your ideal reader homework. This is first, before you do anything else, even before you write the book! You gotta know what your ideal reader is reading and loves. You must do your due diligence and talk to ideal readers, interview them, see what they’re reading, and why. Then, everything you create will get exactly the right publicity from everyone who’s meant to be helped by your book.
- Ensure your book is professionally designed, both cover and interior. Great covers are going to get attention, period. Make sure yours is professionally designed and awesome.
- Make sure your book is distributed on Ingram Spark in addition to Amazon or any other platform you’re using. Book stores will find and carry your books through Ingram Spark. Some of our titles have been picked up by Walmart and Target because of this!
- Build a book launch team and run a collaborative, community-driven launch! This strategy is badass and will create a book publicity ripple that serves you well after the launch date.
- Consider creating an Audible version of your book. For so many reasons, your book will get even more attention as an Audible, especially because it allows sight-impaired readers to enjoy your material.
- Share your book on a regular schedule before (build the buzz), during (launch week), and after (forever) the launch. Commit to a longer game of promotion.
- Know your why and put it at the forefront of all your book publicity efforts. The why behind this is the passion piece. It’s what will move people to purchase. It’s your purpose, alive and breathing and communicating, that will help people into your world and buy your book (and all your offerings).
- Talk about and showcase your book everywhere. Don’t forget to add it to your email signature, your virtual networking backgrounds, your graphics, your everything. We have to know you have a book so we can buy it!
- Talk about your book on interviews. Whenever you’re featured in an interview, speaking gig, blog, etc., make sure to mention your book!
- Create a social media strategy where your ideal clients play the most. To do this, you must know where those ideal readers are and what they’re looking for.
- Keep books in your car. Drop them off at your local health food store, library, doctor’s office, and other places that have a waiting room.
- Use the book topic as a lead-in for your other content and speak passionately about it everywhere. Pull out book quotes and let those be teasers for your book sales. Create eye-catching graphics, videos, or other visuals with your quotes and lead people through your book funnel. What? You don’t have a book funnel to sell books in your sleep? It’s time! And your virtual assistant can easily help you set one up! Contact us if you need a great recommendation for one!
The problem with book publicity, is it’s neverending and you’ll drown in ideas without choosing one to take action on. Don’t do that. Pick any one of the above tips and try it out. See what works. Repeat those! There are many other paid and free ways to get book publicity. If you’re looking for book promotion strategy coaching or other book publicity assistance, email our team to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call! support@lauradifranco.com
