How Much Does it Cost to Promote a Book?

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Promoting a book is an essential step in ensuring its success, but the cost of promotion can vary greatly depending on your goals, methods, and target audience. Below is a breakdown of potential costs involved in promoting a book, along with tips to manage your budget effectively.

Before diving into any promotional strategies, make sure you have a reader magnet and email signup in place. These tools are critical for capturing leads and building a loyal audience, providing a solid foundation for all your promotional efforts. Remember, all promotional efforts (free or paid) are not just to sell books– you’re trying to build your audience!!

1. Basic Promotion Costs (Free to Low-Cost)

If you’re on a tight budget, there are several free or low-cost methods to promote your book:

• Social Media Marketing: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are free to use, but investing in paid advertising on these platforms starts at around $5-$10/day.
• The Follower Funnel Method:  No one likes hearing that this is the actual way to build your list/ your followers because it requires so much work, but this is the one that works!
• Online Communities: Engage in relevant Facebook groups, Reddit forums, and book clubs. This method is free but requires time and effort. To do this method successfully, you’ll need to join and participate in NICHE SPECIFIC groups, not groups that focus on self-publishing.  This is super important!!

2. Intermediate Promotion Costs ($100-$500)

For authors with a moderate budget, here are some impactful promotional options:

• Book Cover Redesign: A professional book cover can significantly improve sales. Costs range from $100-$500, depending on the designer.
• Amazon Advertising: Running ads on Amazon is one of the most effective ways to reach readers. Costs start at $50-$100/month, depending on your daily budget and bidding strategy.
• Social Media Ads: Paid campaigns on platforms like Facebook or Instagram typically cost $100-$300/month for a basic campaign.
• Book Promotion Sites: Websites like Bargain Booksy, BookBub (for featured deals), and Freebooksy can boost visibility. Prices range from $20-$400 per promotion, depending on the site and your book’s genre.
• ARC Distribution: Services like NetGalley charge around $50-$450 to distribute advance review copies of your book.

3. Advanced Promotion Costs ($500 and Up)

For those with larger budgets, these options can make a significant impact:

• Book Publicists: Hiring a publicist can cost $1,000-$5,000/month, but they handle media outreach, book tours, and other PR efforts.
• Professional Video Trailers: A high-quality book trailer can cost between $500-$5,000 and is great for social media or YouTube promotion.
• Book Tours: Virtual book tours with companies like Goddess Fish Promotions cost between $100-$500, while in-person tours can cost upwards of $1,000 when factoring in travel expenses.
• Featured BookBub Deals: These highly coveted promotions cost anywhere from $100 to $2,000+, depending on your genre and pricing tier.

4. Hidden Costs to Consider

• Time Investment: Many promotion methods (like social media and engaging with readers) require a significant amount of your time.
• Giveaways: Hosting giveaways can help build your email list but may cost $50-$200 for prizes and shipping.
• Software Tools: Tools like Canva Pro for graphic design, or advanced email marketing platforms, cost around $10-$30/month.

5. Creating a Promotion Budget

Your promotion budget will depend on your goals and the resources you have available. Here’s a suggested framework:

• Small Budget (Under $100): Focus on free strategies like social media, email lists, and networking, with minimal investment in ads.
• Moderate Budget ($100-$500): Invest in Amazon ads, professional graphics, or affordable promotional sites.
• Large Budget ($500+): Hire professionals, invest in high-quality ads, and aim for maximum exposure through premium services.

Final Thoughts

Promoting a book requires a balance of time, effort, and financial investment. While it’s possible to promote your book for free, allocating even a small budget can dramatically increase your chances of success. Start with methods that align with your goals, measure the effectiveness of each strategy, and adjust your plan as needed.

Investing in promotion isn’t just about selling books—it’s about building your author brand and reaching readers who will support your career in the long term.

How to Get the “Bestseller Badge” on Your Amazon KDP Book

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You know that orange bestseller badge you see on Amazon books? It’s actually more achievable than most authors think! The secret is that you don’t need to outsell every single book on Amazon – you just need to hit #1 in your specific category. And since Amazon updates these rankings every hour, even a short spike in sales can get you there.

Let’s talk strategy. First up, choosing your categories smartly is absolutely crucial. While Amazon starts you off with two categories, here’s a little-known trick: you can actually get up to 10 if you reach out to their support team! The key is to get specific – really specific. Instead of dropping your book in a huge category like “Self-Help,” try finding a smaller niche like “Time Management for Teens.” Way less competition there!

Want to know if your chosen category is actually achievable? Do some detective work! Check out the current #1 book in your target category and see how well it’s selling. There are tools like KDSpy that can help with this, or you can do it manually if you’re feeling determined.

Now, let’s talk about your book’s “metadata” (fancy word for all the info about your book). Your title, subtitle, keywords, and description need to be spot-on. Think about what your ideal readers might type into Amazon’s search bar. Tools like Publisher Rocket can help you find those golden keywords that lots of people search for but aren’t too competitive.

Here’s where it gets fun – planning your launch! You’ll want to gather a launch team (think of them as your book’s cheerleading squad), set an enticing promotional price (many authors start at $0.99 to get those early sales rolling), and maybe even run a preorder campaign to build buzz.

Do you have an email list or social media following? Use them! Share exciting content, maybe offer some special bonuses for launch week buyers. And don’t forget about Amazon Ads – even a small budget can help get your book in front of the right readers.

Keep track of how your book’s doing through Amazon’s KDP dashboard. Once you snag that badge, keep the momentum going with different promotions like Kindle Countdown Deals or teaming up with other authors for cross-promotion.

Here are some pro tips I’ve seen work well: Launch on weekdays when there’s less competition, encourage those early reviews (they really help with Amazon’s algorithm), and don’t be afraid to switch categories if your current ones aren’t working out.

Remember, getting that bestseller badge is totally doable – it’s all about being strategic and persistent. Once you get it, it can really help boost your book’s visibility and credibility. Pretty cool, right?

The “Launch with Zero,” Then Pay Method — Self Published Books and Amazon Paid Advertising

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Let’s be honest – you’ve published your book and suddenly realized you’re missing some crucial marketing pieces. Maybe you’ve been hearing about email lists and reader magnets, and now you’re wondering if you’ve made a huge mistake. Take a deep breath. While having these elements in place before publishing would have been ideal, it’s not too late to turn things around.

Also, this is just a reminder:  please don’t get mad at me and send me mean emails because you didn’t know this stuff before or because it seems difficult. I am just the messenger! I am here to help and give you free information!  Do with it what you like!

First Things First: The Email List Challenge

You’ve probably heard that “the money is in the list,” and there’s truth to that. An email list gives you direct access to your readers – no algorithms or social media platforms standing in your way. But how do you build one after your book is already out there?

Here’s what you can do right now:

Write something exclusive for your potential subscribers – maybe a short story featuring your characters, a prequel scene, or even some “behind the scenes” content about your writing process. This is your reader magnet, and it’s going to be your secret weapon for building that email list.

Then, go back and update your book. Yes, you can do that! Add a compelling invitation at the front and back of your book that offers this exclusive content in exchange for joining your email list. Tools like MailerLite or BookFunnel make this process pretty painless.

Seriously, stop what you are doing and get your email list and reader magnet in place. You need it to go on to the next step.

Your Author Website

Let’s talk about another totally crucial thing – your author website. Think of it as your piece of real estate in the digital world. You absolutely need one, and no, a Facebook page isn’t a substitute. Your website is the one place you completely control, where Amazon algorithms and social media changes can’t mess with your visibility. It doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive, but it does need to exist and look professional. At minimum, you need an about page (make it personable!), a books page with clear buying links, and a way for readers to join your email list. That’s it! Don’t get paralyzed trying to create the perfect site. WordPress is your friend here – it powers about 40% of the internet for good reason. It’s reliable, professional, and has a huge community of users and developers. The key is making it easy for readers to find your books, learn about you, and join your email list. Think of your website as a friendly bookstore where you’re both the author and the bookseller – make it welcoming and easy to navigate. And here’s a pro tip: get your own domain name. “yourauthorname.com” looks way more professional than “yourauthorname.wordpress.com.”

Social Media: Set it Up, But Don’t Try to Do It All

Here’s something refreshing – you don’t need to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms where your readers actually hang out. Writing YA? TikTok might be your jam. Romance? Instagram could be your sweet spot. The key is to show up consistently and actually engage with people. Share snippets of your writing life, chat about books you love, join in readerly conversations. Think of it less as marketing and more as making friends who love the same kinds of books you write.

OK, Now We’re Ready to Talk About Paid Advertising

This is where you might need to invest some money to make up for lost time. Think of it as paying your dues a different way. Amazon ads can be particularly effective because you’re reaching people who are already in a book-buying mood. Start small – maybe $5-10 a day – and watch what works. It’s like learning to drive; you don’t start on the highway.

Once you have your email list/ reader magnet / website in place (because remember, this is about building your audience for the long term, not just selling this one book), go ahead and start with an Automated Ad.  Here is a full set of Amazon book advertising instructions (and this same checklist).  Once you’ve got all that in place and have run an automated ad for a week (hopefully with some success), scale up to keyword/ category/ product ads. If you run an automated ad with no success, you might need to make some changes to the book itself, like to the cover or description. Again, I’m sorry!  Publishing is a journey!

The Long Game

Here’s the most important thing to remember: building a platform is a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, you might have started a few miles behind, but you’re still in the race. Focus on making genuine connections with readers, consistently providing value (whether through your newsletter, social media, or bonus content), and learning from what works and what doesn’t.

Remember, every successful author started with zero readers. The key difference is that some built their platform before publishing, and others (like you) are building it after. Both paths can lead to success – yours might just take a little more strategic planning and patience.

Your Next Steps

1. Create that reader magnet today. Don’t overthink it – your readers want to hear from you.
2. Set up a simple landing page for email signups. Services like MailerLite make this easy.
3. Update your book with links to your signup page.
4. Choose one social media platform and start showing up consistently.
5. Set aside a small budget for advertising and start experimenting.

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. The same goes for building your author platform. So let’s get started!

I Am the Messenger. Please Don’t Shoot Me

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When authors come to me asking why their self-published book isn’t selling, I take a deep breath. I know what’s coming. The conversation usually goes something like this:

Author: “My book has been out for six months and I’ve only sold twelve copies. What am I doing wrong?”

Me: “Well, let me take a look at your book page… ah, I see several things we could improve. First, your cover isn’t quite hitting the genre markers. Fantasy readers expect certain visual elements that signal ‘this book is for you.'”

Author: “But I love my cover! I designed it myself!”

And there it is. The first drop in what will become an ocean of resistance.

The hard truth about book marketing is that the answers are rarely simple or easy to implement, because many authors learn the entire process of self-publishing with their first book and leave out alot of things along the way. When your book isn’t selling, it usually means something fundamental needs to change. Maybe your cover looks amateurish compared to bestsellers in your genre. Perhaps you need to write a prequel novella as a reader magnet to build your email list. Or you might need to create an author website to establish your platform.

Sometimes the issues run even deeper. Your book description might not be compelling enough to hook readers. Your opening chapters might need restructuring to better grab attention. Your pricing strategy might be off for your genre. Or – and this is the really tough one to hear – you might need to write more books because readers are hesitant to invest in a single standalone title from an unknown author.

These aren’t small tweaks. They’re major undertakings that require significant time, effort, and often money. No one wants to hear that the cover they lovingly crafted needs to be completely redone, or that they need to write an entirely new book to give away for free.

I’ve seen the range of reactions: denial, anger, bargaining. “But my mother loves the cover!” or “Can’t I just post more on social media instead?” or “What if I just lower the price to 99 cents?” I understand the impulse to look for an easier solution. Who wouldn’t?

The resistance often comes in waves. First, there’s the initial shock of realizing the scale of changes needed. Then comes the defensive phase, where authors try to justify why their current approach should work. Finally, there’s the overwhelming feeling of “I have to do ALL of this?”

I understand the frustration. You’ve already poured your heart and soul into writing and publishing your book. You thought the hard part was over. But in today’s saturated market, writing a good book is just the beginning. The publishing landscape has changed dramatically. Readers have more choices than ever, which means your book needs to meet professional standards in every way to compete.

So when authors shoot me angry looks or defensive responses, I get it. I’m the bearer of unwelcome news. I’m telling them their baby is ugly (or at least, their baby’s outfit isn’t attracting the right attention).

But here’s what I wish every author understood: I’m on your side. I want your book to succeed. When I suggest major changes, it’s not to discourage you – it’s because I’ve seen what works. I’ve watched authors implement these strategies and transform their sales from trickling to flowing.

Yes, creating an email list is a lot of work. Yes, redesigning your cover is an additional expense. Yes, writing more books takes time away from marketing the one you’ve already published. But these aren’t arbitrary hoops I’m asking you to jump through. They’re proven pathways to finding and connecting with readers.

The authors who succeed are the ones who eventually move past the resistance. They take a deep breath, look at their book objectively, and commit to making the necessary changes. They understand that publishing is a business, and sometimes business decisions require tough choices.

So please don’t shoot the messenger. I know the journey is longer and more complex than you hoped. But if you’re willing to do the work – to make the big changes needed – your book can find its audience.

And nothing makes me happier than when an author comes back months later to tell me, “You were right. The new cover made all the difference.” Or “That reader magnet you suggested? I now have 500 subscribers on my email list.”

Because ultimately, that’s what this is all about: helping your book reach the readers who will love it. Even if we have to ruffle some feathers along the way.

Sometimes being the messenger means delivering difficult news. But I’ll keep doing it, because I believe in your book’s potential. I just need you to believe in it enough to make the changes that will help it succeed.

Reading the Amazon Advertising Tea Leaves: What Your Metrics Are Saying About Your Books

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Reading the Amazon Advertising Tea Leaves: What Your Metrics Say About Your Book

Amazon Advertising can be a goldmine for authors, but if your ads aren’t delivering the results you want, it might not be the ads that are the problem—it could be your book. Your advertising metrics can reveal a lot about what’s working and what needs improvement. Let’s break it down.

Warning:  brace yourself.  You are probably not going to like any of these conclusions/ recommendations.  No one ever likes anything I have to say, mostly because it implies a shit-ton of work that not only

1. Problem # 1:  Low Click-Through Rate (CTR)

What’s happening:
People are seeing your ad but aren’t clicking. You will know this because your ad has impressions but no clicks.  Like this:

What this says about your book:

• Your cover might not be catching their eye.
• Your title might not resonate or intrigue them.
• Your ad copy might not make them curious enough to click.

How to fix it:

• Take a hard look at your cover: Does it match your genre and appeal to readers? If not, it’s time for a redesign.
• Tweak your title and subtitle to make them more compelling.
• Revamp your ad copy with a stronger hook or clearer benefits.

2. High Click-Through Rate but Low Conversion Rate (CVR)

What’s happening:
People are clicking, but they’re not buying.

What this says about your book:

• Your book description might not deliver on the promise of your ad.
• The Look Inside feature could be turning readers off due to weak writing or formatting issues.
• Your price might not be competitive for your genre.

How to fix it:

• Rewrite your book description with a strong hook and a call-to-action that seals the deal.
• Polish the opening pages of your book to grab attention right away.
• Check your pricing and make sure it aligns with reader expectations.

3. High Ad Spend but Low Return on Investment (ROI)

What’s happening:
You’re spending on ads, but the sales aren’t covering the costs.

What this says about your book:

• You might be targeting the wrong audience.
• Your book’s cover, description, or reviews might not scream “professional and worth buying.”
• Competing books in your genre might be offering more value or appeal.

How to fix it:

• Refine your ad targeting to reach readers who are more likely to love your book.
• Add some social proof to your page, like reviews or awards, to boost credibility.
• Study your competition and see how your book stacks up. Make changes where needed.

4. High Impressions but Low Clicks and Sales

What’s happening:
Your ads are being shown, but readers aren’t engaging with them.

What this says about your book:

• Your keywords or categories might be too broad or irrelevant.
• Your cover or title might not be grabbing attention.

How to fix it:

• Revisit your keywords and categories to ensure they align with your book’s content.
• Double-check that your cover and title are both visually striking and genre-appropriate.

5. Poor Overall Sales Despite Good Ad Metrics

What’s happening:
Your ads are doing their job, but your book isn’t closing the deal.

What this says about your book:

• Negative reviews or weak content might be hurting word-of-mouth sales.
• If it’s part of a series, your book might lack a strong series hook to keep readers coming back.
• You might not be capturing readers’ emails to build a loyal audience.

How to fix it:

• Address constructive criticism in reviews and improve your book if needed.
• Add teasers or bonuses to encourage readers to dive into the next book in your series.
• Use a call-to-action to collect emails and start building a long-term connection with readers.

Final Thoughts

Amazon Advertising metrics are like a crystal ball for your book’s success—they show you what’s clicking (literally) and what isn’t. Fixing a cover, refining a description, or polishing your opening pages can turn those lukewarm clicks into loyal readers.

Your ads can only do so much. When your book looks professional and delivers on its promise, those clicks and impressions turn into something far more valuable: fans who keep coming back for more.

So, what are your ads telling you about your book?

Making Your First Book Free Forever (Permafree): A Strategy That Actually Works

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Ever wondered why some authors give away their books for free? It might seem counterintuitive, but making your first book permanently free (some call it “permafree” ) can be one of the smartest moves you’ll make as an author. Let me tell you why.

Why Would Anyone Give Away Their Book?

Think about the last time you discovered a new favorite author. Chances are, someone recommended them, or you took a chance on a good deal. That’s exactly what permafree is about – it’s like offering samples at a grocery store. Readers get to try your writing without any risk, and if they love it, they’ll happily pay for more.

This strategy works especially well if you’ve written a series. You make the first book free, and once readers are hooked on your characters and story, they’re excited to buy the rest of the series. It’s not just about immediate sales either – you’re building a loyal readership who’ll anticipate your future books.

Making It Work For You

Let’s talk about how actually to do this. First, you’ll need to pick the right book. If you’re writing a series, this is pretty straightforward – use your first book. Just make sure it’s your absolute best work. Remember, this is many readers’ first impression of your writing, so it needs to be polished, professionally edited, and have a cover that looks fantastic.

Now, here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Amazon doesn’t actually let you set your price to zero (wouldn’t that be nice?), but there’s a workaround. You’ll need to make your book free on other platforms first – places like Apple Books, Kobo, or Google Play. Then Amazon will usually price-match it. You can use services like Draft2Digital or Smashwords to help distribute your book to multiple platforms at once.

Making The Most of Your Free Book

Your free book needs to work hard for you. At the end, you want readers thinking, “Wow, I need more!” Here’s how to make that happen:

First, make sure your book ends in a way that naturally leads readers to want the next one. Include a preview of your next book – just enough to leave them eager for more. Add links to where they can buy the next book, and consider offering a free bonus story if they join your email list.

You’ll also want to spread the word about your free book. There are websites dedicated to promoting free books, like Freebooksy and BookBub. Social media can be powerful too – people love sharing good deals with their friends. If you’ve got an email list already, definitely let them know about your free book.

Learning From Success Stories

Look at authors like Hugh Howey, who used this strategy with his Wool series. He made the first part free, and readers were so hooked they couldn’t wait to buy the rest. Or take Bella Andre – she’s used free books to build a massive readership in romance fiction, leading to millions of downloads and a very successful career.

Watch Out For These Pitfalls

There are a few things that can trip you up with this strategy. The biggest one? Making sure all your books maintain the same quality. If your free book is amazing but the paid ones disappoint, readers won’t stick around. Also, don’t just make your book free and hope for the best – you need to actively promote it.

Is This Right For You?

Permafree isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a long-term strategy that works by building trust with readers. Think of it as an investment in your future readership. You’re trading short-term profits for long-term gains.

The key is patience and consistency. Keep monitoring how many people download your free book and how many go on to buy the next one. Try different approaches to promoting it, and pay attention to what works best for your specific genre and audience.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to give away a free book – it’s to find devoted readers who’ll stick with you throughout your writing career. When done right, a permafree strategy can help you build exactly that kind of loyal, enthusiastic readership.

Does Amazon Buy Back Books?

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If you’ve ever looked at your bookshelf and wondered what to do with books you no longer need, you might have considered selling them back to Amazon. But does Amazon actually buy back books? The short answer is no, but with some workarounds. Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon’s book buyback process and alternative options to make the most of your unwanted books.

Amazon’s Textbook Buyback Program (Now Retired)

Amazon used to have a formal textbook buyback program (which it started way back in 2011) where you could sell back used textbooks in exchange for Amazon gift cards. However, this program was discontinued in 2020. So, if you’re specifically looking to sell textbooks, Amazon no longer has a dedicated program for that purpose. Sorry!  Textbook Buyback is in the Amazon Graveyard, which we keep track of right here.

Can You Still Sell Books on Amazon?

Yes! While Amazon no longer runs a buyback program, you can still sell books directly on their platform. Here’s how:

1. Sell Books on Amazon as an Individual Seller

We actually have a whole article about selling books on Amazon right here. The gist is this:

You can list your books for sale on Amazon’s Marketplace as an individual seller. Here’s how:

• Create an Amazon Seller account if you don’t have one already. There’s only a fee if you go over a certain number of transactions (or want to be a professional seller, which you probably do not). Otherwise they take the fees out of whatever you sell. https://seller.amazon.com 
• Go to the product page of the book you want to sell.
• Click the “Sell on Amazon” button.
• Set your price and choose your shipping options.

Keep in mind:

• Amazon charges selling fees (usually a percentage of the sale price).
• You’ll need to ship the book yourself once it sells.

2.  Sell Books on eBay

Another surprisingly decent alternative to Amazon’s marketplace is to sell books on eBay. Yes, eBay is old school, but they have a really huge digital footprint, which basically means your listing will get found (and hopefully bought) very quickly. That’s something!

Here’s how to do that:

• Create an eBay account. Your (or your parents) probably have an old one from the 1990s.
• Research Pricing: Check similar listings and sold prices on eBay to set a competitive price.
• Create a Detailed Listing: Use clear titles, honest descriptions (include condition and defects), and quality photos.
• Choose Affordable Shipping: Use options like Media Mail (U.S.) and package books securely to avoid damage.
• Promote Your Listings: Share on social media and consider offering free shipping or discounts to attract buyers.

3. Partner with a Third-Party Book Reseller

Some third-party services, like SellBackYourBook.com or BookScouter, work in conjunction with Amazon to help you sell books. These platforms allow you to compare buyback prices from multiple vendors, making it easy to find the best deal.

Tips for Selling Books Successfully

To maximize the value of your books, follow these tips:

1. Check Condition: Books in excellent condition fetch higher prices. Make sure there are no torn pages, stains, or excessive wear.
2. Research Market Value: Use tools like BookScouter to compare prices across platforms before listing your book.
3. Bundle Sets: If you have a series, sell it as a bundle to increase its appeal to buyers.
4. Take Good Photos: When listing books on Amazon or other platforms, clear and well-lit photos can make a big difference.

TL;DR 

While Amazon no longer has a dedicated book buyback program, it still offers avenues to sell books through its Marketplace. Additionally, third-party platforms and local options provide alternatives for selling or donating books. Whether you’re looking to clear shelf space, make a little cash, or support a good cause, there are plenty of ways to give your books a new life.