Strategies for peddling books: Marketing methods suitable for both fiction and non-fiction writers
Marketing is the lifeblood of sales, whether you're crafting imaginary worlds or sharing real-life insights. Here's how to tailor your marketing tactics as a fiction or nonfiction author.
Main Ideas:
- Identify your audience and zero in on their hangouts
- Craft a strong book identity with a captivating cover, engaging blurb, and compelling book description
- Engage regularly with your readers, build a community, and foster emotional connections
Locating Your Readers:
Fiction and nonfiction audiences gather in different spaces. As a fiction author, your marketing might focus on platforms like:
- BookTok: Infamous for its book-inspired videos, trending challenges can skyrocket a book's popularity overnight.
- Instagram: With the #Bookstagram hashtag, aesthetics rule. Make your feed a visual feast that matches your book cover for maximum impact.
- Goodreads: A goldmine for authors, Goodreads offers Ask the Author sessions, groups, and lists to connect with readers and potential fans.
- Book clubs: Online or offline, book clubs are thriving. Tap into genre-specific clubs on platforms like Facebook and Discord to grab the attention of dedicated readers.
- Genre-specific conventions: These events are perfect for networking and promotion. For romance authors, the RWA conference is a must-attend, while science fiction and mystery writers should consider WorldCon and Bouchercon.
Nonfiction authors might gravitate towards:
- LinkedIn: If you're writing about business or professional development, LinkedIn is your playground. Use LinkedIn Articles to share insights from your book, aiming for at least one post per week.
- Industry-specific forums and websites: If you're writing about a specific niche, make sure you follow the right forums. For instance, if your book is about sustainable gardening, join forums like GardenWeb or Reddit's r/gardening.
- Podcasts: Become a guest on shows related to your book's topic, and direct listeners to a custom landing page to learn more about your book.
- Professional conferences: Face-to-face networking can't be beat. Speak at events like Web Summit, TechCrunch Disrupt, or SXSW to further your reach.
- Medium: Perfect for sharing articles related to your book's content, Medium can attract knowledge-hungry readers. Join or create a publication related to your book's topic, and consider serializing parts of your book as Medium articles.
Book Identity:
The appeal of a book often comes from its visual and textual elements.
Book Cover:
Your cover design is the most powerful visual marketing tool. For fiction, it should evoke the mood and genre using captivating imagery, colors, and typography that resonate with your audience. For nonfiction, the cover should clearly communicate the book's subject and problem-solving capabilities.
Blurb:
An essential part of the book packaging, the blurb should pique interest and set expectations. In fiction, open with a gripping line, introduce your main character, and hint at the central conflict. For nonfiction, focus on the problem your book solves, its unique approach, and your credentials as an author.
Book Description:
Craft an engaging description that highlights the key aspects of your book and improves discoverability. Include keywords, keep it concise, and use simple language to maximize readability.
Author Bio:
Your author bio is your opportunity to establish credibility and connect with readers. Share your writing journey, your credentials, and offer a glimpse of your personality.
Content Creation:
To push your book into the hands of readers, you'll need a well-crafted marketing strategy.
For Fiction:
- Character sketches or backstories
- Mood boards or playlists inspired by your book
- Short stories set in your book's world
For Nonfiction:
- Blog posts expanding on topics from your book
- Infographics summarizing key points
- Free worksheets related to your book's topic
Engaging with Readers:
Connecting with your readers builds a devoted following. Plan for regular interaction, create exclusive spaces, and host engaging events.
For Fiction:
- Fan art or fan fiction competitions
- Character Q&As, polls, and virtual escape rooms
- 30-day fan art challenges, quote-a-day, and live readings
For Nonfiction:
- Instagram Live sessions, Reddit AMAs, and newsletter features
- Real-world case studies, blog posts, and themed hashtag campaigns
- Host contests with one-on-one consultations as prizes
Reviews:
Powerful reviews capture the essence of your book, its influence, and the connection to your readers. Emphasize emotional resonance or practical benefits in your featured reviews.
Curate testimonials, utilize visually appealing graphics, and encourage reader-generated content to generate buzz around your book.
Remember, whether you're promoting fiction or nonfiction, understanding your audience and catering to their needs is crucial. Happy marketing!
- To complement your fiction or nonfiction work, expand your marketing efforts beyond traditional means by exploring the realms of lifestyle, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, books, education-and-self-development, and entertainment.
- For fiction authors, participate in cooking demonstrations or home improvement show discussions that resonate with your book's theme or setting, such as hosting a murder mystery dinner party or offering advice on creating an enchanting home garden.
- Nonfiction authors may find opportunities to guest-teach a course or workshop organised by educational institutions, host book clubs that revolve around their book's topic, and attend or speak at conferences related to entertainment and self-development to reach a wider audience.
