According to an article in Forbes, 825.7 million print books were sold by U.S. publishers in 2021, a slight increase of 8.9% from 2020, but electronic books and audiobooks are increasing in popularity.
With so many books in circulation in one year, promoting a book as a first time author can be daunting and feel like an impossible task.
Step Forward, The Book Promoter
One way authors are finding new readers is through a (social media) book promoter who agrees to read and review your book on their blog or other social media platforms in return for payment.
X, formerly known as Twitter, has a thriving writing community who post using the #writingcommunity hashtag. This brings authors, publishers, literary agents, booksellers, book cover designers, editors, and anyone connected to the industry into one (mostly) cheerful group.
It was only when I wrote a review on the TV series Friends and posted to my Instagram page, that I got approached by a book promoter. Then another and another.
In the space of two hours, I received four requests to help me promote my book or reviews I’d written on social media.
I don’t even have a book; why not is a long story but, in a nutshell, it’s finished but I keep tinkering with it and I’m never happy with the final edit.
These requests led me to think about what questions you should ask if approached by a book promoter, particularly one you don’t know or in Instagram, Facebook or X (Twitter), for example.
There are specialized agencies that promote books by using their connections with the media, reviewers, and booksellers, but there are also many individuals doing this work.
Examples of Book Promotion
Some examples of book promotion include book launches, media outreach, social media blasts, book tours, book signing and author interviews.
If you are with a publisher, this may be done as part of your contract, or offset against future earnings, and for self-publishers, you will probably have to pay the promoter yourself. Or even a hybrid version where you do a little of both.
There are many people in the writing community who offer book promotion services, but it’s important to do your research and ask questions before you hand over any money or sign a contract.
Now, with the onslaught of AI, I expect there are reviews being churned out about books and in volume. Perfect for pumping out positive / negative reviews to screw up algorithms. It won’t be long before this practice will be squashed by the review sites. But, it’s going to get bad.
The Five Questions To Ask
1. What is the cost?
You need to know what you’re getting into before saying yes. Promoters should be able to give you a ballpark number of how much it will cost. There may be a package of posts on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., reviews, and more.
[I charge nothing (yet) for a review and post on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Instagram and my website. I’ll mostly read anything although – generally not sci-fi, horror, supernatural categories. Find me on X and Instagram. Now that I’ve shamelessly plugged myself on with the post.]
2. What are some examples of books / posts promoted before?
Asking for examples of other books the person has promoted will give you a good idea of their experience level and the books they typically promote. It will also help you gauge whether their style is a good fit for your book, plus other metrics.
You should apply a reasonable pinch of salt here. There is so much competition for new books to be seen that you may take the ‘anything is better than nothing’ approach, especially if the cost is affordable to test the results.
3) What is the reach?
Ask for specifics. It’s not enough for the person to say they have “a lot” of followers or friends. A quick look at their social media profile will give you an idea of their real reach and activity. It’s also important to consider the quality of their followers.
It is essential to also consider your goals. A smaller, more engaged following may be worth more to you than a larger, less engaged one. Think about what you are trying to achieve with the promotion and who your target audience is.
If the person promoting your book is not reaching your target audience, then it will not be as effective.
If you have written a book about German broths for example, then a promoter handling medieval history fiction will not be much use to you.
4) What are the outlets?
Some book promoters gauge success by the number of reviews they can get on Amazon or Goodreads. Others focus more on social media platforms. Some use a mix of both. It’s important to know where your book will be promoted because that will help you gauge the effectiveness of the promotion.
5) What are the terms?
Before you sign anything, make sure you understand the terms of the agreement. Read it carefully and ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand. Clarify any confusion about payment, timing, or other details.
Very important is anything money related. Make sure you understand what the book promoter is saying they will do, when they will post, and what the content of the posts will be.
In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for promoting books and reaching a wider audience. With millions of active users on platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram, promoting your book on social media can be a cost-effective way to increase visibility and drive sales.
However, it’s important to approach social media promotion strategically and avoid falling for every offer of help that comes your way.
Before you hand over your hard-earned cash to a social media promoter, it’s crucial to do your due diligence and ensure that they are the right fit for your needs.
This means researching their background, reading reviews from past clients, and asking for references. It’s also important to clearly understand what you want to achieve through social media promotion, whether it’s increasing book sales, building a fanbase, or improving your online presence.
One of the key benefits of working with a social media promoter is their ability to help you reach a new audience. By leveraging their existing network of followers and contacts, they can help you get your book in front of people who may not have heard of it otherwise.
They can also help you create engaging content that resonates with your target audience and encourages them to share your book with their own followers.
However, it’s important to remember that social media promotion takes time and effort, and success is not guaranteed.
It’s important to have realistic expectations and be willing to put in the work to make your social media campaign a success. This may involve creating compelling content, engaging with your followers, and monitoring your analytics to track your progress.
In conclusion, social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your book, but it’s important to approach it strategically and avoid falling for every offer of help that comes your way.
By doing your due diligence and working with a reputable social media promoter, you can reach a new audience and increase your book sales.
Remember to have realistic expectations and be willing to put in the effort to make your social media campaign a success.
Allowing someone to promote your book on social media can be a great way to reach a new audience, and it’s tempting to accept all offers of help.
But before you hand over your hard-earned cash, do your due diligence upfront to avoid wasting time and money.
I hope this post is useful and remember to evaluate every request yourself.
