Marketing for Authors: Proven Strategies That Go Beyond Just Posting on Social Media
Aug 01, 2025
If you’re an author, you’ve probably realized by now that writing & publishing the book is only half the battle.
The other half? Marketing it effectively.
You could have the next great novel, self-help breakthrough, or jaw-dropping memoir sitting on Amazon—but if no one knows it’s there, your masterpiece might as well be invisible.
The good news is that in today’s digital landscape, authors have more tools than ever to grow their readership and build a fanbase. The key is using them strategically.
Below, we break down some of the most effective, scalable, and author-friendly marketing methods available—whether you’re launching your first book or trying to breathe new life into your backlist.
📚 1. Get Featured with Written Word Media
Written Word Media is a powerhouse in the book promotion world. Their platforms—like Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, and Red Feather Romance—can get your book in front of thousands of actual readers, not just other authors.
Whether you’re offering your book for free or at a discount, these curated email promotions are designed to put your book directly into inboxes of genre-targeted, engaged audiences. It’s one of the few services where the ROI actually makes sense, especially for building momentum around launches or sales.
Pro Tip: Schedule promotions around a price drop to create urgency and drive a spike in downloads or sales. Add your book to multiple platforms during this window to maximize exposure.
👥 2. Use Pubby for Real Reader Reviews
One of the biggest hurdles for indie authors is gathering book reviews—social proof that makes or breaks a book’s success on Amazon.
That’s where Pubby shines.
Pubby is a reader review platform built specifically for authors. You review other books (within your genre preferences), earn “snaps,” and use those snaps to request verified reviews on your own book. It’s ethical, allowed by Amazon, and incredibly efficient.
While reviews shouldn’t be your only focus, they are critical to conversions. A book with 50 reviews will almost always outsell a book with 5, even if the quality is equal. So don’t skip this step.
Bonus: Pubby also gives you insights into what real readers love—and what might need tweaking in future projects.
🤝 3. Join Author Collaborations and Book Bundles
If you’re only marketing your book solo, you’re leaving massive opportunity on the table.
Book bundles, author collaborations, and cross-promotional events allow you to tap into other authors’ audiences and instantly expand your reach—without ads.
You contribute your book to a themed collection or promo bundle alongside other authors. Everyone involved shares the bundle with their own lists and platforms, which multiplies visibility without multiplying your effort. Plus, bundles often create urgency because they’re limited time.
Why this works:
It positions you next to other credible authors
You gain warm leads from people who already read similar content
You build your list and your sales at the same time
Not sure where to find book bundles? Watch for announcements from platforms like StoryOrigin, BookFunnel, jump into subscribers surge giveaway with Written Word Media, and get into collaborative projects like The Infinite Book Bundle. Or start your own!
🔁 4. Recycle, Repurpose, and Reignite
Too many authors move on to the next book too fast, thinking sales are only possible in the first few weeks post-launch.
The truth? Most readers don’t even see your book during launch.
You need to keep marketing long-term. That means:
- Turning quotes from your book into graphics or reels
- Sharing behind-the-scenes stories of your writing process
- Running annual or seasonal sales with email promos
- Pitching your book to podcast hosts or bloggers in your niche
- Creating a reader magnet or free chapter to grow your list
You can also use tools like BookSprout, Reedsy Discovery, and Booksirens to keep visibility going after your launch window closes.
📰 5. Get PR Features and Book Awards to Boost Credibility
While most authors focus on sales, visibility and credibility often come first. That’s where media exposure plays a game-changing role.
Pitch yourself for:
- Podcast interviews in your book’s genre or niche
- Blog features that highlight your author journey or topic
- Online magazines looking for contributor stories or book spotlights
Grab our ULTIMATE PR LIST for a list of contacts for features.
Also consider submitting your book to award competitions like the Reader's Favorite Awards, Indie Book Awards, or local writing contests. Even finalist badges can dramatically boost your credibility and conversions.
Getting featured not only drives traffic—it builds trust. Readers are far more likely to buy from authors they perceive as recognized or endorsed by media outlets. And many podcast hosts and bloggers are actively looking for great guests and books to share.
Pro Tip: Create a simple media kit with your book summary, bio, cover image, and headshot to make it easy for outlets to say yes.
Think Beyond the Bookstore
Marketing a book today isn’t just about bookstore signings or hoping for viral success. It's about being strategic, collaborative, and persistent.
✅ Use tools like Written Word Media to get in front of targeted readers
✅ Leverage platforms like Pubby to build up reviews and credibility
✅ Join bundles and collaborative promotions to multiply your reach
✅ Continue marketing even after launch day with ongoing content and offers
There’s no single magic bullet, but when you combine these approaches, you create a flywheel effect—where each promotion leads to more eyes, more readers, and more momentum.
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend programs and products I truly believe in and use myself.
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