How to Market Your Book on Social Media: Lessons From Successful Authors

Writing and publishing a book is a monumental achievement, given the countless hours spent crafting a story or compiling information to create a compelling, polished product. However, once the book is ready, the next step, which is marketing, is the most challenging. This stage can either fuel a writer’s enthusiasm to continue creating or lead to discouragement.

Traditionally, authors have relied on strategies such as physical book tours and signings, appearances on TV and radio, and even billboard advertisements for those with larger budgets. While these methods remain relevant, the rise of the internet and the proliferation of social media platforms have revolutionized how authors reach their audiences. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have opened up dynamic and affordable ways to connect with readers and generate buzz around books.

One example of an author who leveraged social media to catapult their career is Ana Huang, author of the Twisted series. Beginning as a self-published author, Ana harnessed the power of TikTok to promote her work. It led not only to increased sales but also to a traditional publishing deal. Her story highlights the power of social media when used effectively.

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While social media offers vast potential, it’s crucial to market your book in ways that are tailored to your unique voice, your audience, and your story. To demonstrate this, let’s examine three authors who are successfully using social media to promote their books: Damilare Kuku, Phoenix Blvck, and Michael Enearu.

 

Market Your Book the Damilare Kuku Way

Damilare Kuku, author of Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad and Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow, is known for her bold and attention-grabbing book titles. Her 2021 debut gained significant traction, and by July 2024, her second book had sparked widespread discussion across social media, primarily on X. The provocative title, Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow, drew both criticism and curiosity, igniting debates and think pieces about the importance of sensational or social media titles in Nigerian publications. 

Rather than shying away from controversy, Damilare leaned into the attention her title garnered, using it as a springboard for her marketing efforts. She adopted the nickname “Bumbum” for the book, making it easier to reference and share on social media without giving away too much of the plot.

 

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What Did Damilare Kuku Do Right?

1. Established an Author Brand:
   Before publication, Damilare Kuku had already built an author brand that her readers were familiar with, thanks to the growing popularity of her debut book. This brand was one of the major strategies that aided the acceptance of her second book, allowing readers to trust that Bumbum would be a good book for them and their shelves. 
2. Engaged with Her Readers:
   Damilare actively interacted with readers on X, reposting their pictures and videos, thanking them for purchasing her book, and participating in conversations about it. This level of engagement fosters a sense of community and loyalty among readers.
3. Executed Strategic Giveaways:
   Giveaways are a part of traditional or digital marketing, but especially digital. Damilare Kuku made use of this strategy to promote her book. For every copy given out, she was sure that the winners would do a job of preaching its gospel to the people around them and also on their social media platforms. 

Market Your Book the Phoenix Blvck Way

Comfort Omovre, known as Phoenix Blvck, self-published her debut novel When Love Visits. Phoenix was already popular on X and Instagram for her insightful posts on love, relationships, and personal growth. Over time, she built a brand that resonated with her audience—people seeking inspiration, advice, or relatable content about matters of the heart.

From simple X threads to videos that educate or entertain, Comfort Omovre was able to build a solid trybe and community that will go on to play a role in her book’s success.

What Did Phoenix Blvck Do Right?

1. Aligned Her Book with Her Brand:
   As someone who frequently discussed love and relationships, a novel centered on these themes was a natural fit for her audience. Comfort Omovre’s author brand profile was built in a way that would not cause her readers to doubt the story she is trying to market to them. Her well-tailored and beautiful storytelling over the years was enough reason for people to want to get the book for themselves. 
2. Created Engaging Visual Content:
   As a self-published author, you must be creative in promoting your book on social media. This creativity can be found in the strategy Phoenix Blvck used: videos and picture content, from carousels about the backstory behind the book’s inspiration to reels that feature contexts from the book to drive readers’ curiosity. All of these played a role in pushing the book to the spotlight. 
3. Innovation with Book Boxes:
   Comfort Omovre was also innovative in her strategy, creating a book box that readers would be convinced to buy. There were several things in the book box, including chocolates, notepads, pens, and the book itself. The limited availability of the boxes also made them an intriguing incentive to get people to take them. Once again, knowing and having the right audience is vital because not all books work well when marketed with chocolates and ribbons. This shows the study and effort Phoenix Black put into pushing her book. 
4. Leveraged Book Clubs:
   When Zikoko Magazine selected When Love Visits as its book of the month in October 2024, it amplified the book’s visibility, encouraging even more readers to purchase and discuss it. This shows that book clubs are essential in discussing book marketing and promotion and must not be left out when creating a strategy. 
5. Engaged with Her Community:
   Giveaways and the readers themselves–whether Book Influencers or simple readers—also played a role. For every post made, Comfort Omovre engaged them, reposting or posting it on her Instagram feed and story. While every other strategy is good, the key to social media promotion is engaging with your community of readers, however small. That way, the readers know you appreciate and value their input on the book. 

Market Your Book the Michael Enearu Way

Michael Enearu self-published his first novel, a fantasy called Seabreeze, in July 2024. As a newcomer to the literary scene, Michael has demonstrated that, even without prior fame or an established brand, social media remains a powerful tool for amplifying a book’s reach.

What Did Michael Enearu Do Right?

1. Created a Dedicated Book Profile:
   Instead of focusing on his personal profile, Michael Enearu set up an Instagram account solely for Seabreeze. This account has become a hub for all content related to the book, including excerpts, quotes, and behind-the-scenes looks at the publishing process. Therefore, with the Book Profile, he can give the book a personality that readers can connect with over time, finding everything they need to know about the book in a single profile. 
2. Collaborated with Book Influencers:
   Collaboration with book influencers is a strategy Michael Enearu uses to push his book, making it a topic in the book community. Both on Instagram and Tiktok, readers are talking and promoting the book, expressing their interest while convincing others to get a copy for themselves. The key takeaway is to ensure there is a discussion around your book. The more it is discussed, the more people are interested in getting a copy to join the conversation. 
3. Used Creative Content Strategies:
   From sharing the inspiration behind the novel to creating videos that highlight its themes, the creative content strategies for Seabreeze draw attention and spark curiosity about the book.
4. Organized Giveaways:
   Like Damilare and Phoenix, Michael also recognizes the value of giveaways in generating buzz. Free copies of Seabreeze entice readers to engage with the book and share their experiences. 

Key Takeaways on How to Market Your Book on Social Media

While these authors used different strategies to promote their books, a few common themes emerge:

1. Know Your Book’s Audience:

   Understanding your target readers is crucial for effective marketing. Tailor your strategy to resonate with their interests and preferences, especially to show them why they should care about your book.

2. Build a Strong Author Brand:

   Whether it’s an author brand or a book-specific profile, having a clear identity makes it easier for readers to connect with you and your work.

3. Engage with Your Reader Community:

   Interacting with readers fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty, encouraging them to support your book and recommend it to others.

4. Be Creative and Consistent:

   Social media is a visual and interactive platform. Use videos, images, and engaging posts to keep your audience interested and invested in your book.

5. Leverage Book Club & Book Influencer Partnerships:

   Collaborating with book influencers and book clubs can significantly expand your reach and credibility.

 

It might be tempting to mimic the strategies of successful authors, but it’s important to adapt approaches to suit your unique style and the specific nature of your book. With the right blend of creativity, effort, and engagement, social media can become a powerful ally in your journey as an author.

 

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