You may think if you write it, they will come. Unfortunately, this is not true. However, if you market it, you may have a fighting chance. For this reason, we are going to explain how to use social media for book marketing.
This is true whether you self-publish, or go with a traditional publisher. Writing your book isn’t enough. You have to find a way to get readers’ attention, so they pick up or download your book.
In this article we will discuss how to grab readers’ attention, using social media. We will focus on the two biggest social media platforms, Facebook and YouTube.
For a checklist of How to Easily Market your Book on Social Media, subscribe to Blue Crab Books.
Create an Outline for Social Media Marketing
Soon after you have published your book, it’s time to promote it. The following is an outline of what you need to do to begin your marketing campaign.
Set a Budget
First, ask yourself if you have money to promote your book? If the answer is no, you can still promote your book without breaking the bank.
If you have even a small budget, this will help you get attention from more people. Even a small amount of $50 can be stretched to promote your book to a larger audience.
You can also start with zero dollars. In this article, we will discuss ways to market your book without spending a lot, or nothing at all.
Take Your Time
Marketing takes time. It’s not something you can rush through and do in a few minutes. We recommend you set aside at least a week or two to get your marketing strategy in place.
Create an Author Website
Do you have a website? It’s important that your website tells the story of who you are and why readers must read your book. Your website doesn’t have to be super complicated. Simple and minimal is usually recommended.
If you’re not sure what platform to use, we recommend WordPress. It’s not too difficult to learn and it offers so much more than other platforms. That’s why Blue Crab Books uses WordPress for our author websites.
Create an Author Bio on Your Website
Include a bio on your author website. Readers want to know about the writer behind the book. Also, add a photo of yourself. This helps your readers connect with you.
Use this bio on all your social platforms, especially Amazon. Always include a bio on your Amazon author page.
With over one billion users, Facebook must be a part of your marketing strategy. This means if you don’t already have a Facebook page, create one now.
Author Facebook Page
Don’t use your personal profile, you need to have a public page for yourself as an author. You may be wondering why. A Facebook page is likeable, unlike a personal profile. Also, it’s easier for searching. In addition, you will get other perks, such as analytics.
Another benefit of using your Facebook page is that you can build up your community around your work, not your personal activities.
After you have set up your page on Facebook, it’s time to consider the following:
Note: If you need help creating an author Facebook page, contact us. We can get your Facebook page up and running in no time.
Facebook Strategy
If you have no money in your budget, you can take advantage of your cover photo.
You have space to market your book. Use this opportunity to show off an image of your book. You can also promote a giveaway.
Host a Giveaway
Use Facebook to host your own giveaway. Use an app like Woobox, Rafflecopter, or Shortstack to successfully host a giveaway contest on your Facebook page. Be sure to advertise it on your cover photo space.
Interview yourself to show your readers the author behind the writing. People connect with those they can relate to, and this is your opportunity to introduce yourself.
Post a video Book Trailer
If you have a video book trailer (we will discuss this in the YouTube section below), be sure to post it on your Facebook page. Adding a video of your book will increase interest. Plus, Facebook’s autoplay video feature will entice users to pay attention.
Encourage Reviews
Reviews are among the best ways to get more eyes on your book. Not only can you get in front of the reviewer, but the reviewer may also recommend your book to others. Don’t expect people to automatically review your book. Actively ask for reviews on your Facebook page.
Link to your Online Shop
Since your selling your book somewhere, you should link to your online shop (whether that’s Amazon, Barnes and Noble, your publisher’s site, or your own website). Dedicate a button on the dash below your cover photo for “Shop.”
Don’t be ashamed to promote your books. There are entire Facebook communities dedicated to it. Try groups like:
- Indie Author Book Promotion Page
- Indie Book Hangout
- Amazon Kindle Goodreads
- Amazon Book and eBook Readers
- Book Reviews and Promotion
If You Have Some Money…
Purchase Facebook ads
Facebook ads put your book in front of a targeted audience guaranteed. If you can only afford $5 or $10 a day, you may even grab hundreds of new visitors.
On your Facebook ad, include an image of your book and an offer they can’t refuse, such as a free chapter, or excerpt of your new book. The most important thing is to grab people and bring them onto your page.
Use the word “free” in your ad. You want to offer them something in exchange for them visiting your page.
YouTube
You cannot afford to ignore YouTube. YouTube has over a billion users. Every day, YouTube videos generate billions of views.
YouTube Marketing Facts
Here are some YouTube marketing facts that you should consider:
- YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine next to Google
- 100 hours of video are uploaded every minute
- there are easy to share videos on other social platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.
- Mobile users make up almost 40% of YouTube’s global watch time
- Processes 3 billion searches per month
Book Trailer on YouTube
Previously, we mentioned creating a book trailer. Now, let’s explain what that is.
Basically, a book trailer is a video that advertises your book. Although it’s similar to a movie trailer, you don’t have to re-enact scenes from the book. Instead, you use scenery, vignettes, music, typography, voiceover, or all of the above to evoke the same tone as the book.
Here are a few examples of book trailers:
The Amazing Book Is Not On Fire
The Memory Painter by Gwendolyn Womack
Dream Boy Book Trailer Mary Crockett and Madelyn Rosenberg
How to Create a Book Trailer?
You can create your trailer with an iPhone, a notebook, and free software.
You have a couple more options: Animoto and Prezi. Although both of these apps have free versions, you’ll have greater flexibility and options if you opt for premium.
Here are videos on how to use Animoto and Prezi to create a book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTzahq7jowQ
How to use Animoto.com to make Digital Book Trailers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMnHX9HBhZw
How to create a Prezi Book Trailer
Add this video on your Author Website and Twitter and don’t forget to upload it on Facebook too.
Don’t have an author website? Read this about why you need an Author Website.
Summary
Using social media to market your book will take some time. However, it will be worth it. To find out more about book marketing click here.
Get an actionable checklist of how to easily market your book on social media. Subscribe to Blue Crab Books today.
For more information, contact us.