Dear readers, did you know authors need YOUR help in promoting their books? Yes, they really do!
Many readers already do a superb job promoting the books and authors they love. I’ve had the blessing of being on the receiving end of some of those awesome readers who go an extra hundred miles to support authors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do!
On the other hand, there are many readers who don’t realize just how much authors need their help in promotion. And if they do know, they aren’t really sure what will be most beneficial.
So, how can readers help? There are a zillion different ways! But here are twenty easy but effective things readers can do to spread the buzz about a book in the coming year:
1. Write a review for an online bookstore. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even copy and paste that review onto several of your favorite shopping spots.
2. Add the book to your Goodreads shelf (or BookBub). And when you write the review for the online bookstore above, copy and paste it onto Goodreads (or BookBub) too.
3. Write a blog review and then invite your social media followers to come over and hear what you think.
4. While reading the book, post comments on social media about what you’re reading and what you like about it.
5. When finished reading the book, let your followers know your final thoughts on the book and include a link to the author’s website or book page.
6. Encourage those who “don’t have time to read” to consider listening to an audio copy of the book through Audible, Hoopla, or another digital company.
7. Suggest the book to your book group (if appropriate), whether an online or real life group.
8. After reading the book, give it away as a prize on Facebook, Instagram, or your blog. Everyone likes the chance to win a free book.
9. Ask your public, school, or church library if they’d be willing to purchase a copy to add to their system (or donate your copy).
10. Highlight memorable or meaningful quotes from the book (create a colorful post for it on Facebook or make a meme of your own).
11. Ask to join the author’s Facebook Group or Launch Team to interact with and be inspired by others who are reading the book.
12. Start a discussion about the book over on Goodreads in one of your groups. You could even consider asking the author to join you for a Q & A time.
13. Take a selfie with the book and post it on social media.
14. Pass the book along to all of your family and friends that you think might be interested in reading it. Ask them to pass it along when they’re done.
15. Buy the book as a gift for a holiday, birthday, mother’s day, father’s day, Valentine’s Day, etc. Books always make great gifts! Ask the author for a signed bookplate to affix in the book.
16. Join in the fun of #Bookstagram on Instagram by posting a creative picture of the book.
17. Take the book with you to public places (like ball games, doctors’ offices, etc.).
18. Pin the cover of the book onto a Pinterest board you’ve created for your favorite books. Make sure to link back to the author’s website or book page.
19. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the book! Make a video, slideshow, fan art, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
20. Most importantly, TALK, TALK, TALK about the book. When you’re genuinely excited about the book with others, then they’ll want to check out the book for themselves.
What other ways can readers promote a book they love? I’d love to hear more of your ideas!
Jody Hedlund
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Thanks for all of these great tips. As I’ve gotten more involved in reviewing and book launches, I have learned how important these details are.
Blessings!
Terrific list!
I love these ideas. I can do more.
Good advice. I generally review every book I read and put it on about four places. You have shared some good points here to give readers more ways to help.
I post on First Line Fridays on Hoarding Books blog.
I post on book challenges on a Facebook group I belong to.
These tips are valuable to authors. Thank you!
Great ideas and tips! I love taking pictures with my book but sometimes ashamed to keep putting pictures of myself on social media. Lol