Thanks for the notes on what you've seen work and not work. In 2012, my publisher made a book trailer for my debut. And while the last thing I want to do is hurt the feelings of the folks who made it, it was...not quite the work of art anyone wanted and I don't think it had the intended effect. It's still on YouTube, though.
On my own, I've been trying TikTok. About 200 views is the first layer of TikTok purgatory. Then I think it's about 500? And I'm not sure what's after that. I so rarely get beyond the first level! I'm not the right personality for TikTok. I have better luck with IG. Neither moves all that many books for me, but I do see improvement in my Amazon ranking when I have a video going even a little viral. It's short-term though. Not reliable.
I wish there were more that authors could do on our own. Most don't have the resources/knowledge for the kind of advertising campaign that might make a difference. And publishers are putting their budgets into their bigger books, which I do understand. But that leaves midlisters grasping for any feeling of control, struggling to understand TikTok and funding our own preorder campaigns. And when publishers decide one of their cheap/easy bullet points don't work anymore so they remove it, it's not often...replaced with anything else. At least as far as we can see. (They also tend not to tell us anything they are doing, so if it's all background stuff, it's easy for authors to assume they are doing *nothing* even when it's not true.)
Great overview of the marketing strategies being users by both authors and publishers. Thank you!! One that I feel is just emerging is selling books to gift box subscription companies. A new marketing strategy we are investing in. Our company is only representing indie and hybrid authors and publishers to this new sector and hopefully as we grow so will our authors ‘s sales. We have only recently launched, but so far the interest in the companies buying out clients’ books is overwhelmingly enthusiastic. My partner has sold over 12,000 of her own book. We are optimistic that this is a new sales and Marketing strategy authors should consider.
I actually like going to bookstores and libraries so digital advertising isn’t always targeting me.
I’m using StoryGraph to select future reads and their recommendations are quite good! Much better platform than GoodReads.
When I investigated self publishing, there were a few marketing strategies yielding good results: marketing and posting books on discount book websites, FB ads, and Amazon’s “also purchased” slots. I can very as a reader FB book ads targeted at me caught my attention and I got some books that way. Didn’t end up liking them, but still got them. And Amazon ads are usually accurate so I’m more likely to buy it.
Book subscriptions are also amazing. Particularly if they come with stickers and bookmarks.
Thanks for the notes on what you've seen work and not work. In 2012, my publisher made a book trailer for my debut. And while the last thing I want to do is hurt the feelings of the folks who made it, it was...not quite the work of art anyone wanted and I don't think it had the intended effect. It's still on YouTube, though.
On my own, I've been trying TikTok. About 200 views is the first layer of TikTok purgatory. Then I think it's about 500? And I'm not sure what's after that. I so rarely get beyond the first level! I'm not the right personality for TikTok. I have better luck with IG. Neither moves all that many books for me, but I do see improvement in my Amazon ranking when I have a video going even a little viral. It's short-term though. Not reliable.
I wish there were more that authors could do on our own. Most don't have the resources/knowledge for the kind of advertising campaign that might make a difference. And publishers are putting their budgets into their bigger books, which I do understand. But that leaves midlisters grasping for any feeling of control, struggling to understand TikTok and funding our own preorder campaigns. And when publishers decide one of their cheap/easy bullet points don't work anymore so they remove it, it's not often...replaced with anything else. At least as far as we can see. (They also tend not to tell us anything they are doing, so if it's all background stuff, it's easy for authors to assume they are doing *nothing* even when it's not true.)
Great overview of the marketing strategies being users by both authors and publishers. Thank you!! One that I feel is just emerging is selling books to gift box subscription companies. A new marketing strategy we are investing in. Our company is only representing indie and hybrid authors and publishers to this new sector and hopefully as we grow so will our authors ‘s sales. We have only recently launched, but so far the interest in the companies buying out clients’ books is overwhelmingly enthusiastic. My partner has sold over 12,000 of her own book. We are optimistic that this is a new sales and Marketing strategy authors should consider.
I actually like going to bookstores and libraries so digital advertising isn’t always targeting me.
I’m using StoryGraph to select future reads and their recommendations are quite good! Much better platform than GoodReads.
When I investigated self publishing, there were a few marketing strategies yielding good results: marketing and posting books on discount book websites, FB ads, and Amazon’s “also purchased” slots. I can very as a reader FB book ads targeted at me caught my attention and I got some books that way. Didn’t end up liking them, but still got them. And Amazon ads are usually accurate so I’m more likely to buy it.
Book subscriptions are also amazing. Particularly if they come with stickers and bookmarks.
Thx for the article; it's a lot of food for thought. I'll definitely check out the two organizations!
I second the shoutout to Women’s Media Group - it’s a great organization. See more here: www.womensmediagroup.org.