Marketing Hacks for Self Published Authors

Self-publishing can be tough. The manuscript writing process is just the first of a series of steps that will cost you time, energy, and money. This includes developmental editing, character editing, world-building editing, proofreading, general editing again, a final round of proofreading to be sure, formatting and designing book interiors, cover and illustrations…

Once you hit send and the publishing platform validates your book, you’re good to go. Grab your matcha coffee and sun cream, and spend the day next to the pool while your sales skyrocket!

Emh… I wish it were that easy. Actually, the moment your book is out, if you haven’t told anyone, no one will know.

You need to market your book, your brand as an author, and let your audience get to know you, your story, and your stories.

If you don’t know how to get started, this article is for you.

Author brand

Yep, whether you use your real name or a pseudonym, the author behind a book becomes a brand. You sign your copies with that name, and readers will recognize you by your name, your tone of voice, your vibes, and your characters.

Ask yourself:

• What aspects of my personal life do I want to share with my “author” life?

• How do I want to interact with my audience? (Means, tone of voice…)

• What kind of designs best represent my books’ vibes? (e.g., colors, graphics).

• …

Online presence

If you are or wish to be a self-published author, you should know that your online presence is EVERYTHING. Your readers will need to find your product page online to buy your book, which means you will be selling mostly by word of mouth.

If you find the right channel, problem solved! But how do you get there?

Being the first one to post about your writing career, characters, and books is the very first step.

Here are some examples of writers with unique and consistent styles:

Hilary Morado & Alessia King have a logo, plus a great feed that I invite you to go check out!

K.A. Knight engages her readers by sharing glimpses of "a day in an author's life" (first photo from the right), and showcases illustrations of her characters, further immersing her audience in her literary world.

I.A. Dice boasts a dedicated website where readers can explore her books and projects in detail.

Newsletters

This form of one-sided communication enables you to directly engage with readers, cultivating a loyal fan base and promoting new releases.

Newsletters effectively captivate and retain readers by offering behind-the-scenes content, exclusive excerpts, and personal anecdotes, while also eliciting valuable feedback.

Engaged subscribers often share content, amplifying word-of-mouth marketing.

With complete control over the content, frequency, and tone of your newsletters, you can tailor your communication to align perfectly with your audience and marketing objectives.

Bonus reason to consider newsletters: they serve as a valuable tool for gathering feedback through surveys or direct responses, providing invaluable insights for refining writing, understanding reader preferences, and planning future projects.

Special events

Running pre-order events, price promotions, and blog tours can significantly enhance your self-published career by boosting visibility, sales, and reader engagement.

Pre-order events generate anticipation and early buzz before your book's release, potentially boosting sales rankings and providing valuable insights for refining marketing strategies.

Price promotions, such as temporary discounts or free book days, attract new readers and can lead to increased sales volume, improved rankings, and greater visibility.

Blog tours are another effective promotional strategy, involving collaboration with multiple bloggers on social media platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram. Through book reviews, interviews, and guest posts, you can reach a wider audience, enhancing your reputation and credibility.

Now, let's delve into the details of blog tours.

Blog Tours

What is it? A blog tour is a virtual book tour where you can promote your books across various blogs through reviews, interviews, guest posts, and other content. This strategy increases visibility, generates hype, and reaches new audiences.

Organize a blog tour? Easy peasy.

Firstly, you should determine what you aim to achieve, such as increasing book sales, gaining reviews, or building brand awareness.

Then, find bloggers whose audiences match your target readers. Look for blogs that cover your book's genre and have good engagement.

Reach out with a personalized email, introducing yourself and your book. Explain why their blog is a good fit and what you can offer, like a review copy or exclusive content.

It is recommended to plan a timeline, ideally spanning 2 weeks to a month, ensuring each blog post is scheduled on different days to maintain momentum.

Okay, but concretely?

You can use a Google Forms to collect information from interested bloggers, and post it on your social media or send via your newsletters.

Ask your readers questions like:

• General Information: Name, Email Address, Mailing Address (if you plan to send a physical copy of your book), Blog Name, Blog URL, Social Media Links…

• Content Preferences: Type of content preferred (review, interview, guest post, excerpt, giveaway), Preferred book format for reviews (PDF, ePub, Mobi, print copy)

• Scheduling: Preferred and backup dates for posting

• Additional Information: Any special requirements or questions they might have

Content you could send to bloggers:

• Review Copies: Provide electronic copies of your book in PDF, ePub, and Mobi formats. Offer print copies if feasible.

• Press Kit: Author Bio, Book Synopsis, High-Resolution Book Cover, Author Photo.

• Pre-Written Content: Articles or insights about your book. Interesting excerpts from your book.

• Promotional Materials: Eye-catching images for promotion, Giveaway Details, Information on prizes and entry methods.

Don’t forget to communicate regularly with your bloggers, ask their questions if they have any, and thank them for their engagement, reviews and content!

What if I plan to translate my book?

No worries, I can help you!

If you're considering translating your book into Italian, look no further! Reach out to me, and I'll be thrilled to help turn your dream into reality, starting with a free quote.

From translation to proofreading and publication, my services will support you every step of the way. Even beyond publication, I'll continue to assist with promotional communication, ensuring seamless engagement with your Italian audience.

Together, we can devise tailored strategies to effectively connect with your readers.

Now armed with the essentials to kickstart your marketing journey, all that's left is to take the plunge!