You’ve poured your heart into writing your book — late nights, early mornings, a million rounds of edits. And now, it’s out in the world (or almost 🥳). But, how do you make sure people actually find it?
The reality is that writing your book was only half the battle. The other half is marketing it. We promise it’s not as scary as it sounds.
Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, authors have to play a big part in the promotion of their books. But the good news? With the right strategy, you can build real momentum, attract the right readers, and turn them into loyal fans.
pop-ups take over. Your contact form vanishes. It’s a mess—and it’s costing you time, money, and trust.
So, what actually happens when your website is compromised? And more importantly, how can you stop it from happening in the first place?
At its core, content marketing is just sharing valuable, interesting, or entertaining content to attract the right people to your work.
Instead of shouting “Buy my book!” from the rooftops (which never works), you’re creating content that makes people say, “Wait, who is this author and why haven’t I read their book yet?”
It’s the long game — but it’s worth it. And it works when it’s done with purpose.
1. Blogging is basic but effective.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good blog post. It helps you:
You can use this medium to share more about your writing process, bonus stories, character deep-dives, or your own favorite book recommendations. Invite guests and fellow authors to also post on your blog to grow your reach. Add a free download (bonus chapter, short story, reading guide) to capture email sign-ups while you’re at it.
The possibilities are endless.
2. Make social media work for you.
You don’t have to be on every platform — just the right ones. Pick 1–2 places where your readers already hang out and show up consistently with:
Don’t overthink it. This is where you want to let your voice shine through. Readers love getting to know the person behind the book and all they want is authenticity.
3. Video, Video and More Video.
Video is personal. It builds trust faster than anything else. This media form should make up 85% of your content.
Use it to:
Prioritize short-form video (think IG and TikTok), but don’t be afraid to go longer on your YouTube channel.
A well-timed cover generated buzz with your audience and even readers who don’t know much about your work yet.
Create excitement with sneak peeks, countdowns, polls (“Which vibe do you think I picked?”), and giveaways. You can do this through:
The goal: get people talking before the book even launches.
Your email list = your inner circle.
Whether you send a quick update, share your latest blog post, or invite them to join a book club Zoom, email lets you talk directly to readers without battling the algorithm.
Keep it light, fun, and focused on connection, not sales.
People trust people, and when readers see other people hyping your book, especially in their social media bubbles on Bookstagram or BookTok, they’re more likely to check it out for themselves.
This is where community and influencer marketing come in.
Big names are great, but don’t sleep on the power of someone with 2,000 followers and a really engaged audience.
Want to reach thousands of potential readers in 30–60 minutes without lifting a finger after the recording ends? Get on a podcast.
Podcasts are gold for authors because:
Start by finding podcasts in your niche or genre. Think about:
Then, pitch yourself! Keep it short, personal, and focused on the value you can bring to their audience and not just to plug your book.
Pro Tip: Make sure your website or social bios include a clear “Media” or “Press” section to make it easy for podcast hosts to say yes.
A website hack doesn’t just create a tech headache—it derails your momentum, erodes trust, and costs you money long after the issue is fixed.
That’s exactly why prevention is worth far more than a last-minute repair. Most website emergencies can be avoided with the right systems in place.
If you don’t want to think about software updates, backups, or security settings, we get it.
That’s why we handle it for you.
Our website maintenance clients never have to wonder if their website is secure. We’re already taking care of it.
And if something does go wrong?
We’re already fixing it before you have to ask.
Building your online reputation as an author doesn’t have to feel gross or overwhelming. It just has to feel like you.
Start small. Be consistent. Share from the heart. Whether you’re launching your first book or your fifth, these content strategies will help you attract readers, build your fan base, and set yourself up for long-term success.
Need help implementing any of these ideas or starting to build your digital presence as an author? As reading-obsessed folks ourselves, we’d love the chance to get to work with you. Take a look at how we can help here.
