1. Get early/pre-release reviews. Reviews have a big effect on purchase decisions because they’re an easy, reliable way for readers to find out if the book will appeal to them. Reviews tell people if the book is popular, well written, and if the characters and story are interesting. Ask your friends and family, or beta readers to review the book. Send the book out to bloggers two to three months before the release. Finally, if you’re an established author, ask your Facebook fans or subscriber list if any of them would like to receive a free e-book in exchange for a review.
2. Create an author Facebook page where you can connect to fans. Fans will often get invested in authors they like. A Facebook page is a great way to interact with them one-on-one, and give them a better idea of your personality. Facebook posts also introduce readers to your writing style, and often allow you the opportunity to highlight interesting aspects of your book.
3. Utilize Goodreads. This reader social media site, owned by Amazon, now has over 25 million readers. Here you can connect to readers through groups, review books similar to yours to help create a following, create events for when you do a promotion or author appearance, and much more. You can also do read and reviews here, where you give fans of your genre the opportunity to read your book early and get a free e-book copy in exchange for a review.
4. Do a free or discount promotion. There are many sites including BookBub, Freebooksy, and Book Gorilla that advertise free or discount books to their email subscribers. There are also many sites that will advertise free promotions for free on their websites. A free or discount promotion is a great way to get more reviews and to move way up in your categories New and Popular list on Amazon.
5. Create an email subscriber list. On your author website, create an area where readers can subscribe to your newsletter. This list will enable you to email readers about your upcoming books and any author events or promotions.
6. Post an excerpt on your author website and share it on social media. Excerpts are a great way to capture readers’ attention and get them interested in your book. Create a pithy one-liner and include a link to the excerpt. Be sure to post this one-liner and link on all your social media.
7. Create a Facebook contest. Facebook contests are a fun, great way to gain followers and increase fan interaction. Focus the contest around the content of your book. For prizes, you can giveaway signed copies of your novel, chocolates, or something that connects to the book.
8. Create a Pinterest board surrounding the book or the main character. Find great pictures or products that connect to your book. Create interesting pictures featuring quotes from your book and pin them for the world to see. Link your account and pins to your author website.
9. At the end of your book, ask readers to leave a review. To do this, write a polite request for reviews, and leave a live link leading to your page on Amazon to make it as easy as possible for readers.
10. Put a sample of your next book or previous book in the back of the current one. This will help you sell your other books. When a reader reads one book by an author they like, they are more likely to read others by that author. By ending a book with a sample of other books you’ve written, you are helping to sell a second book when you sell the first.
Rebecca Berus is the founder of 2Market Books. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago magna cum laude with degrees in Advertising/Public Relations and English with a creative writing concentration. Rebecca is an avid reader and loves to help other readers find great books.
