Marketing Your Book on a Budget

Unfortunately, your book isn't going to sell itself. But how cool would it be if it could? When it's completed and ready to go out into the world it grows sentience and starts walking along the street asking people if they want to buy it - or maybe that's a bit too much red-light for what we want here.

You've already put in the effort to write the book, edit the book, and choose all the pretty parts like cover design and dedication, but your work is far from over. It's time to market your book so that it has its best chance of getting into the hands of your reader. 

This can be extremely expensive and with the world in the state it's in right now, we may just need to save all of our pennies when we can so here comes how to market on as cheap of a budget as possible - almost free.

Define Your Target Audience 

Before you can begin to market your book to readers you first need to know who your reader is. Are they children? Young Adults? New Adults? Adult Adults? Seniors? Knowing this answer is going to make everything that follows so much easier. 

Knowing the demographics of your reader will help you craft a much more targeted marketing message than just casting a net and hoping you catch something. 

Leverage Social Media 

You should have been on social media from day one.

I'm sorry to say this as it takes a while to build up an online presence, but the great thing about these sites is that they are free marketing, all you have to sell is yourself. 

I mean this in the best way possible and not in a red-light way. (Has this joke gotten old yet?)

Sure for social media sites like Facebook, and Twitter you can stay behind the words but for sites like Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok you really need to be there front and center as the face of your book so that your readers feel connected to you in a way and want to support you - by buying your book. 

Collaborate with Book Bloggers and Reviewers 

Reach out (through these social media accounts you have built up) to bloggers and reviews that specialize in your genre or are the target audience for your book. Offer them a free copy (ARC Copy) in exchange for an honest review or a feature on their blog or social media. There are many out there that will do this at no cost to you and the ones you have to pay well - proceed with caution and make sure to do a little internet digging around before any money changes hands. 

Build an Author Website or Blog 

This one as well should have been done on one of those days when you were down on inspiration and didn't want to work on your novel but wanted to do something book-productive. 

Establishing an online presence will enhance not only your visibility but your credibility as well. You may attract intrigue through your social media post so your curious viewer goes to type your name into their internet search and - they come up blank. If they can't find you or where to find your work - then they can't buy it. 

A website can be built for free if you don't mind the limitations, but think of making the investment into a professional-looking website without all the extra watermarks on it from the free account. 

Organize Virtual Events

Virtual events such as book launches, and Q&A sessions on platforms like Youtube, TikTok, or even Zoom can be a great way to connect and engage with your readers or potential readers.

Participate in Book Fairs and Author Events 

Look online for local or virtual book fairs and author events as a way to connect with other authors, and readers, and promote your book at the same time. If you have physical copies on hand this could also be a great way to sell some of them in person and sign them to make the experience even more special. There may be a table or entry fee for these events, but it shouldn't be outrageous unless it's out of state and you need to travel to it. 

Seek Local Publicity 

Let all those people in your local town know that their fellow neighbor has done an incredible feat of writing a book! Take out an ad in the local media outlets such as newspapers and radio stations. There is a cost to these depending on the size or length of the ad as well as where you live. If you're from a big city it may cost you a few extra bucks than if you were from a no-name town. 

Pair these ads with a book event at a local library or bookstore. Some will let you do these for free if they have the space, while others may require a fee. 

Encourage Reader Reviews and Words-of-Mouth 

Nothing will do your book the monumental marketing than a happy reader. Link to the GoodReads page for your book on your profiles, or wherever you are selling your book. Ask friends and family to give the book a read and to spend a few minutes sharing it with their friends and so on and so on. 

Don't doubt the power a proud grandmother can do for a book when she goes to her weekly bingo night. 

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Getting the word out about your words doesn't have to cost you your arms, you'll need those to write your next book. Use the tools that you have at your disposal to the best of your ability, but try to be consistent, post often, and tell everyone you meet that you wrote a book. Be proud to share it with the world. 

But most of all - keep writing. You have more stories to tell. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

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