How can you, readers and lovers of books, help authors like me? Having people read and enjoy a book you wrote is wonderful. But how do we get our books into the hands of more people? With your help, of course. We need you! Especially we indie authors, who self-publish.
Here are some great ideas for you to help spread the word about the books you love!
• TELL YOUR FRIENDS
Obviously, the best way to spread the news about a book is word of mouth. Talking with a friend about what they’ve been reading lately? Chatting on IM? Skyping or Facetiming? Texting? Share what you’ve been reading and where they can find it.
You can also share links on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, or wherever else you hang out online.
• REVIEWS
This is so helpful to authors as well as other readers looking for good books to read. If you read a book and love it, please post a review and rating. Your opinion and recommendation matters, especially for a new author trying to get the word out about her book. 😉
It doesn’t have to be a lengthy review telling all the plot points and definitely don’t give away any major twists or big reveals in the story. Just share what you loved about it. How it made you feel? What made you think about it long after you read it?
Places to review a book:
AMAZON — BARNES & NOBLE — GOODREADS
Do a search for the book title on these sites. You can even copy your review from one site and review it on the others also.
• SHARE or GIFT IT
A girl on Goodreads, who won my giveaway, enjoyed the book and told me she is going to pass it around a reading group she is a part of after she lets her teenage niece read it. I love that. I encourage anyone who bought a copy of my book to share it with a friend or give it away to someone you know will love it. For me, it’s not about the number of sales I get, it’s about the people who get to read it.
If you pass the book on, make sure to tell them how to spread the word, too.
• ASK YOUR LIBRARY TO CARRY IT
Not all libraries will do it, but you can request books and the more requests they get, the greater chance they will add the book. Having a book in the library makes it easy (and free) for many more people to read the book!
• BLOG ABOUT IT
If you have a blog, write a post/review about the book. Besides a review on book sites like Amazon, you can share more about the book and your thoughts on it as well as links to the author’s website/blog, places to purchase the book, etc.
When you’re done reading it, you could even give it away on your blog. If you can part with it, of course. 😉
Some authors are also willing to be interviewed for blogs. Open your blog up for questions from your readers, then invite them back after the author answers their questions.
• INSTAGRAM IT
Take a photo of yourself with the book, something fun and creative. (If it’s my book, include the hashtag #thetruthaboutdrew.) 🙂
Instagram is a fun place to share your photos, but if you aren’t on Instagram, you can post it on Facebook. (Again, if it’s my book, visit my Facebook author page and add your photos to the “Reader Photos” album.)
• BOOK CLUBS
Are you in a book club? Suggest it as the book one month. Sometimes authors are even willing to answer questions via email, chat or Skype to go along with your book discussion.
• GOODREADS
Goodreads is such a fun place to hang out, make new friends, join groups, and talk about books. Start a discussion in your favorite group about books you’ve read and loved. And don’t forget to leave reviews there as well.
• TWITTER
Tweet favorite lines or quotes from books you are reading. (Don’t forget, if it’s my book, add the hashtag #thetruthaboutdrew.) 😉
• TELL THE AUTHOR
Let the author know how much you liked the book, what you loved about it, how it affected you. This isn’t really about spreading the word, but this can be so encouraging to an author. Some days, just a little email or comment or “like” can totally make their day and give the boost that’s needed to write through a tough scene in their next manuscript.
It’s wonderful to hear what kinds of things you’re doing to help spread the word about a book, too.
I appreciate all that you guys are doing to tell people about my little book. Thank you!