5 Smart Ways to Advertise Your Book Without Spending Money
Don’t have money to invest in ads? Try this instead.
So, are you wanting to get more eyes on your book?
If you dig into books, articles, and podcasts, you will find that many of the “experts” will recommend spending money on advertising.
Paying for ads will definitely get you noticed, but not everyone has the money for that.
So, here is the plan.
You have to get creative with your book marketing. The ideas below may not take money, but they will take time.
So, just buckle in and be patient.
I personally have used all of these tactics, and I can attest that they’re all really helpful, especially if you put the time into them. So, let’s break these down.
Pitch yourself as a podcast guest
Have you ever considered talking about your book on a podcast?
You may think this is only for non-fiction work, but with the right hook, you can be a guest on a podcast for your fiction, too.
I have been a guest on at least three podcasts, talking about my book and why I chose self-publishing.
Podcasts are a great medium for readers to get to know you.
It’s not just about your book. It’s about your personality.
When a potential reader hears you and your story on a podcast, they will want to invest in you. They fall for you first, then your book.
So, how do you pitch podcasts? Find smaller podcasts with an interview-style format. Then, go to their website and find their pitch guidelines. If there aren’t any, feel free to reach out to them at their contact information and ask if they are open to pitches.
Pitch your book to book bloggers
Another amazing tool — possibly the best resource — is pitching to book bloggers.
This can definitely be a time-consuming process.
It is why there are so many PR companies sprouting up just for indie authors trying to get their books in front of readers.
Here is how I do it:
- Do the research. I find accounts on TikTok and Instagram that read books similar to mine. Then, I see if they are open to receiving ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies.)
- Pitch your book. As you find book bloggers who fit your style, pitch your book to them. You can use a scripted draft to send, but make sure that you personalize it for each blogger by addressing them by name.
- Keep a list for future books. Make it easy on yourself and track these bloggers in a spreadsheet. Track the ones who said yes to you. Track the ones who post about your book on social media. And, of course, track the ones who provide a review.
As I said, this can be very time-consuming, but it is really a very smart strategy. Getting more reviews on Amazon and Goodreads gets your book recognized by the algorithm. Creating relationships with book bloggers is a great way to grow your readership.
Stay active on social media platforms
This one doesn’t surprise you, right?
Social media is a key way to stay in touch with your readers.
If you really want to grow your readership, TikTok is a goldmine.
As I mentioned in my post on how I am selling my seven-year-old novel, I went into detail about how TikTok is the key to my growth strategy.
If you are brand new, focus your efforts on TikTok.
While Instagram and Facebook are staples for growing your book on social media, the barrier to entry is higher now. TikTok is a newer platform and it is still much easier to go viral than it is on other platforms.
In any case, you want to stay consistent and create content that appeals to readers. Study successful authors on social media. See how they engage with their audience.
Then, find your own personal version of that.
Build an email list using a free giveaway
While social media is great, you are subject to algorithms.
It’s important to build an email list as early as you possibly can.
I know that email lists can be a pain.
What do you write about? How do you attract readers? How do you not clog your readers’ inboxes?
For me, I write emails about my writing advice. I also let readers know when I have a new release coming out. Plus, I’m personal. In a recent newsletter, I mentioned that I was getting married soon, and I received a lot of emails back congratulating me. It was so nice.
Try not to overthink your email list.
Come up with a free giveaway that you can offer to entice readers to sign up, and then try to send an email about once a week or every other week.
You can recommend what you’re reading. You can talk about your writing process. Think like your readers. What email would you want to read from an author you like?
Do not forget about local, word-of-mouth opportunities
And finally, do not overlook the importance of networking in your own backyard.
Do your high school classmates know that you wrote a book? Make sure that you mention it at your next high school reunion!
Is there a local newspaper that can interview you or a news station that you can pitch? I have actually been on the news twice for my books.
Are you out in the community? Making small talk? Just the other day, I ran into a friend from high school. I didn’t even need to mention my book. Just seeing her triggered the memory that I am a writer and she said, “I’ve been meaning to read your book! Can I get it on Amazon?”
Sometimes, the best marketing can happen in your own backyard.
Save your money. Hustle for quality marketing.
So, what do you think of these money-saving suggestions?
What strategies have you used to grow your book’s following without having to invest a lot of money?
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Jenny Bravo writes books and helps other writers through trial-and-error. She’s on Instagram (@jennybravobooks) and TikTok (@jennybravobooks). You can hang out at her website, www.jennybravobooks.com.
