You know your book is special and deserves to be in the hands of your dream readers. But how do you make it stand out from the crowd?

According to the International Publishers Association, more than 2.2 million new titles were published in 2019. This number includes both print and digital books, as well as books in all languages and genres. It’s worth noting that this number only represents the books that are registered with ISBNs though and does not include self-published books or books that are published without an ISBN. So in actuality, the number of books published every year is likely closer to 4 million.

Marketing your book using an organic book marketing strategy is incredibly important if you want to sell lots of copies. Even if you have a great book, it’s essential to get it in front of readers and build interest and buzz around it. Without effective marketing, your book is unlikely to reach its full potential.

While having a great book is important, it’s not enough to guarantee sales. In today’s competitive book market, with millions of books available to readers, it can be challenging to differentiate yourself.

Get Noticed

These days, brand recognition is everything. So the first foundational step toward helping your book stand out is to develop your author platform – the combination of an author’s presence, visibility, and influence, both online and offline. 

An author platform includes the author’s website, blog, social media channels, email list, speaking engagements, media appearances, and other ways they interact with their target audience.

Building Your Platform

Having a strong author platform built on your mission is an essential component of a successful book marketing strategy. It allows authors to connect with their readers, build a community around their work, and establish their authority in their field. An effective platform can also help authors build their brand, increase their visibility, and ultimately sell more books.

But it’s important to note that building an author platform takes time, effort, and consistency. It requires you to create engaging and relevant content, interact with your audience, and develop a strong personal brand. This can help increase your chances of success in today’s crowded and competitive book market.

Don’t let the millions of books available to readers deter you from working to get your book noticed. Here are some strategies to help make your book stand out from the crowd:

1. Write a compelling book: Your book needs to be well-written, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. Make sure your book offers something unique that readers can’t find elsewhere.

2. Develop a strong author brand: Your book cover, title, and author name should all work together to create a strong brand that stands out from the competition. Make sure your cover design is professional and eye-catching, and that your title accurately reflects the content of your book.

3. Leverage social media: Social media is a powerful tool for reaching readers and building a following. Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with potential readers, share updates about your book, and offer exclusive content.

4. Build relationships with influencers, bloggers, and book reviewers: Influencers, bloggers and book reviewers can help promote your book to a wider audience. Reach out to bloggers who write about your genre and ask if they would be interested in reviewing your book.

5. Utilize book promotion services: There are many book promotion services available that can help you get your book in front of readers. At VIP Book Marketing, we specialize in helping mission-driven nonfiction and children’s book authors develop their author brand with strategies for effective messaging, social media, email marketing, podcast guesting, and more.

6. Offer a free sample: Offering a lead magnet can entice readers to give it a try. Consider offering a quiz or a checklist on your website, or even making your book available for free through a platform like Amazon’s KDP Select program.

7. Attend book fairs and events: Attending book fairs and events can be a great way to connect with readers and build buzz around your book. Consider attending local book fairs or genre-specific events where you can meet potential readers and share information about your book.

By implementing these strategies, you can increase your chances of getting your book noticed and selected by readers from the millions of books available. The key is always to be persistent, patient, and strategic in your approach, and to focus on building relationships and connecting with your target audience.

Once you have the organic book marketing strategy in place, you may want to consider running paid advertising campaigns too.

Amazon Ads

There is a lot of competition on Amazon, and running ads alone may not be enough to make your book stand out. You would need to also implement other marketing strategies, such as social media marketing or email marketing, to get your book noticed.

The truth is that the effectiveness of Amazon ads can vary. While ads can help you reach a broader audience, you need to create compelling ads that attract readers and encourage them to click through to your book’s product page.

The Conversion

You also may have difficulty getting your ads to convert if your book’s cover design and product description are lacking, as these are also crucial factors in making your book stand out. You need to have a professionally designed cover that catches a reader’s eye and a compelling book description that entices them to click the “buy” button.

Ultimately, the quality of your book is what will keep readers coming back and recommending your book to others. Having a well-written and professionally edited book that offers value to readers will go a long way. Amazon ads can be a helpful tool in making your book stand out and increasing sales, but it’s not a guarantee.

Facebook Ads

Similarly, Facebook ads can be an effective way to market your book, but it’s important to have a comprehensive marketing plan in place to maximize the impact of your ads. 

While Facebook can help you reach a large audience, also consider how you can create a consistent message across multiple channels to increase your book’s visibility and attract potential readers.

A Comprehensive Strategy

A marketing plan typically involves identifying your target audience, understanding their interests and behaviors, and developing messaging and content that will resonate with them. You may also want to consider tactics such as book signings, author events, and email marketing to supplement your Facebook ads and build a more comprehensive marketing strategy.

Without a marketing plan in place, you may struggle to see the results you want from your Amazon and/or Facebook ads. While the ads themselves can be a powerful tool, they are just one piece of a larger puzzle when it comes to building your author brand and making your book stand out from the crowd.