There is a never-ending stream of marketing advice for indie authors out there, and dozens upon dozens of services that can help you find authors through newsletters, promotions, PR people, and countless other advertising options. And, of course, everyone knows about the importance of Instagram, Facebook, and, most recently, TikTok.
Putting your book out there is one thing. But how do you appeal to readers beyond an eye-catching advertisement? There is still a large gap between drawing reader attention and getting these potential readers to read.
Speaking of reading: read on for some tips, tricks, and recommendations from experts who have appeared on our blog and podcast before!
On using Patreon to find readers: listen to Six Figure Author podcast host Lindsay Buroker
On single-focus newsletters: “As I sent more short, to-the-point emails that gave readers only one choice, my reader engagement increased. I had a higher percentage of readers opening my emails, because they trusted that what was inside wouldn’t be overwhelming to them. I had a higher percentage of clicks (I believe this was because I was only offering one choice).” – Lacy Williams
On finding your ideal reader: listen to book launch coach Sue Campbell
On marketing on Pinterest: “Pinterest is a great place to post short teasers of your books, or to share accolades (reader reviews, etc). Remember, unlike Facebook, it’s possible (even likely!) that people who don’t follow you may see your pins based on their search results, interests, or previously saved pins. Compelling teasers and high praise are a great way to hook these new readers who may not have heard of you!” – Lauren Layne
On learning your readers’ habits: listen to NYT bestselling author Emma Chase
On making marketing work for you: “Even if hiring marketing services is out of your budget, I have two words for you: SOCIAL MEDIA. Start author accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—you don’t have to be everywhere at once; focus on the platforms that work best for you. Follow Bookstagrammers, engage with other authors of your genre, and establish an online presence. Make sure that your author accounts are on ‘public’ mode and make sure to use #hashtags. KWL provides a wealth of helpful articles such as 6 social media tips just for authors and making social work for you.” – Amy Bouchard
On building your brand as an author: “The process of building your author platform will take time. This is not for the faint of heart. You will struggle; you may cry. The more books you put out, the more blogs you post, the more you engage with your readers online. . . this will all help you to gain traction. It doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s okay if your platform changes over time. Mine is entirely different now than when I started. You will rebrand yourself as you move through your writing career. But start with a good foundation, and that is building relationships. The rest will come. I promise.” – Victoria M. Patton
The takeaway:
If you’re looking for more marketing advice, Reedsy has a plethora of articles, tools, and even services that you can access. There are so many options out there, but it only takes one to get you started!
But, if you’re not ready to start hiring a marketer or sales professional, we suggest continuing on your research journey to learn more about your ideal reader. Browse through #Booktok, join a local or online book club, or listen to podcasts (such as our KWL podcast or Kobo in Conversation). Reading author interviews can be helpful, too, as you may gain valuable insight into how other writers find and interact with their dedicated readers.
Lastly, we want to stress the importance of creating community with other authors (as well as your readers – writers are readers, too, and we guarantee that they are reading each other’s books all the time). Working with other authors, learning from them, and engaging with one another across platforms can really help you make big moves in building your brand. Something as simple as a comment can lead to a conversation, collaboration, and connection that can help both of your careers!
