Having a sound marketing strategy when you are an author is essential if you want to hone the success of your book and get it out there to a wider audience. The goal of a marketing strategy is to help you effectively get your book in front of the right people.
The most important aspect of a marketing strategy is to determine who your target audience is. Who do you consider to be the ideal reader of your book? What genre of books do they usually read? Once you determine who your ideal reader is, you can research the best avenues to reach that demographic and focus on marketing your book more towards that audience.
Creating social media profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube is a great way to reach a larger audience. Share intriguing snippets from your book, post pictures and relevant content from time-to-time. You can also join online book clubs or use hashtags for your book's genre to interact with other booklovers.
Offer promotional discounts to get people to purchase your book. To further encourage readers to purchase your book, offer extra content such as books notes, reading guides, interviews or helpful quizzes along with their purchase.
Interview local radio and television programs, newspapers and magazines to get your book noticed. Also, arrange with local bookstores to setup signings and book launching events.
Asking people to review your book on platforms such as Amazon and Goodreads is also another effective way to increase visibility and improve rankings. Ask people who have read your book to share it on their own networks.
Creating a website for your book is also another great way to get noticed. Providing readers with a link to a website where they can purchase your book at a discounted price, can be incredibly beneficial for your sales.
Overall, a good marketing strategy is a mix of all the above activities. Make sure you are consistent with your marketing efforts and have a specific plan of action to maximize your success.