Writing has been known for being one of the oldest and still one of the most prevalent professions. Books and many literary works have been a source of information, experimental data, and even entertainment. Even today, the academic and publishing industry is still considered one of the most burgeoning industries out there.
However, many writers will need to get their works published by self-publishing or seek help from publishing services to ensure their jobs are distributed. The good news here is that there is a variety of ways to promote your book.
How Should You Publish Your Work?
But before we discuss some practical ways of promoting your works, we have first to answer one of the most important questions that many authors and writers have been asking for quite some time: how should you be publishing your work? Should you post it yourself, or should you get professional help when doing so?
Well, the answer to this question can be very situational. Self-publishing your book will have its own merits and shortcomings, and getting professional help from a publisher is also a great way of getting a load off your back when it comes to marketing. When you’re self-publishing a book, you’ll have to plan out your work marketing approach meticulously. On the other hand, traditional publishing services can help do it for you.
If you’re not quite sure which approach you should take, there’s a comprehensive guide on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing that can hold your hand on what the best course of action may be. Not only does having professionals help cut down on time, but it also cuts down on the energy needed.
So what are some essential strategies that you can utilize? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
Social Media Is Your Friend
Another important strategy when you’re spreading the word about your work is through the use of social media. Although you might be planning on aiming for the literary and creative community in your area, there’s no hurt in letting much of the general public know. There’s no better way to advertise and market your work more than using social media platforms to your advantage.
If you haven’t done it already, you might want to consider setting up your same author page on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Having a consistent online presence is known for helping reel in engagements and leads. If you’re not sure where to start with your posts, you can first observe different types of posts and promotion content. Most of the time, the posts with the most likes, shares, and retweets are bound to have the best engagements.
Still, you’ll need to be mindful of what’s currently in trend as of the moment and what most people are reacting to. If you have already reached a certain amount of likes for your page and already getting a steady following, you can get yourself verified on social media. This way, you’ll stand out from others when you’re making a post. To top it off, this will increase the trust between you and your followers.
Start Getting Feedback For Your Book
Last but not least, one of the most effective ways of promoting your book and getting people invested is by “teasing” them with the feedback you’re getting from critiques. Not only is this known for getting a good amount of engagements for your work, but this can also build up hype. When people are hyped up with your product, this is also bound to attract others who might consider your product.
Not sure where you can get reviews for your book? One of the quickest ways to get your book known publicly is by approaching reviewers and individuals well-known in your local literary community. You don’t necessarily have to pay a hefty amount for some reviewers when you can give some of your close friend’s copies of your book and ask for constructive criticism. You would be surprised at what a polite request could do.
If you’re new to the community and not quite sure where you can find reviewers, many avid readers from sites host pre-order books, such as Amazon. You can reach out to some of the top reviewers for these sites. Still, it’s essential to keep in mind that confident readers prefer reading for a particular genre, and it’s best to keep this in mind.
Other websites are specifically catered to books and are generally known for having millions of users. If you’ve already gained a lot of traction, you might want to consider having a giveaway that can serve as a contest that people can participate in.
The general rule of thumb that most writers follow is that you should contact around four to five times the number of reviewers, depending on the goal of how many reviews you’ll have. This way, you’ll get a lot of leads that can help you with your thoughts. In certain situations, you might want to approach famous authors that can help give good feedback.
There are a variety of things that you’ll need to consider in this situation. Suppose writing has been your passion for many years. In that case, you won’t have to bother with digital marketing or spreading the word about your work too much, especially if you’re planning on going through a traditional book publisher. Many vetted professionals in the industry can handle all the heavy lifting on the marketing side of things for you.
But if you’re planning on making a name for yourself and proving much of your skill through your reputation as a writer, then you can always self-publish your works. Whatever the situation might be, proper marketing and focusing on your content will always be the best way of getting others invested in your career.
