With the advent of the internet, there are now more ways than ever to reach potential readers. However, the World Wide Web is a vast space, with more than a billion websites competing for attention. For instance, Facebook alone has at least 2 billion users, while platforms like YouTube and Instagram all clock in at more than a billion users each. It can be overwhelming for an author to market a book with little to no budget. That being said, here are a few ways to get more people to read your work online:
Tap influencers in the relevant industry
Social media influencers tend to get a bad rap for being superficial, but there’s no denying the impact they have on brand recognition and consumer purchases. And with an abundance of influencers in all sorts of niches, it could be a good opportunity to work with them to promote your books. You don’t need to partner with a celebrity with a million followers either. According to a blog post on myths about working with influencers by Later, nano influencers — those with less than 10,000 followers — actually have higher engagement rates on sponsored posts than influencers with more followers. This makes them a good choice if what you want is meaningful online marketing that also sparks discussion and conversation.
Build your network
In a previous ‘Words for Writers’ post, we highlighted the importance of networking and community when it comes to marketing your book. Friendship with both readers and authors will go a long way towards creating word-of-mouth buzz. Fortunately, there are many online avenues through which you can cultivate these connections. Online forums such as Reddit or Goodreads are good places to start. Alternatively, social media makes it easier to befriend fellow authors with a single message. A good rule of thumb is to reciprocate: if an author promotes you, buy copies of their books and leave sincere comments as well. In line with tapping influencers, you can also reach out to book bloggers and send them copies of your book to review. Remember to approach them respectfully and professionally, however, as they likely have other reviews to work on already. Minding these details will ensure you have a solid professional network as you progress through your career.
Consider mounting ads
If you have the resources for it, mounting online ads can give your book a lot of mileage. For example, platforms like Amazon make it easy to advertise if your book has a listing there. You have the option to control the amount you spend, and only need to pay once your ad is clicked. This makes it a good option for authors on a tight budget. Similarly, Facebook ads can boost your visibility by a lot, thanks to the robust analytics that aid in targeting and reaching potential buyers.
Maximize your social media presence
Writing for the internet is much different from writing a novel. Social Media Today’s online writing tips explain that readers’ attention spans are shorter when browsing. As such, you must craft compelling copy to make sure they don’t just scroll past you on their feeds. To that end, make sure your content is high quality. For instance, create polls about to stimulate discussion, or post quotes from your book that might resonate with your readers. Don’t just post for the sake of posting, but try to provide value to your audience as much as possible instead.
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