What is BookTok and How Can It Help You Sell Books?

BookTok has emerged as one of the most powerful forces in contemporary book marketing, transforming how readers discover new titles and revolutionizing the publishing industry’s approach to promotion. This deep dive explores what BookTok is, why it matters, and how authors and publishers can harness its potential.

Understanding BookTok

BookTok is the book-loving community on TikTok, where readers, authors, and industry professionals share content about books through short-form videos. What makes BookTok unique is its organic, authentic nature – it’s driven by genuine reader enthusiasm rather than traditional marketing strategies.

Why BookTok Matters

The impact of BookTok on book sales has been nothing short of remarkable. When a book goes viral on BookTok, it can lead to massive sales spikes, even for titles that have been out for years. The platform has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to create bestsellers, particularly in the young adult and romance genres.

What Makes Content Go Viral on BookTok

The most successful BookTok content typically falls into several categories:

  • Emotional Reactions: Videos showing genuine emotional responses to books, whether tears, laughter, or shocked gasps, tend to perform well. These raw reactions create curiosity and connection with viewers.
  • Creative Book Recommendations: Videos that recommend books based on specific moods, themes, or other popular media can quickly gain traction. For example, “If you liked this movie, you’ll love this book” or “Books that will make you sob uncontrollably.”
  • Aesthetic Content: Beautiful book photography, creative transitions, and appealing visual presentations of books often attract attention and engagement.

How to Leverage BookTok as an Author

1. Make Sure You’re Ready

Before diving into BookTok, ensure you have your author platform fundamentals in place:

  • A professional author website that’s mobile-friendly and easy to navigate
  • A compelling reader magnet (free book, novella, or exclusive content) to attract subscribers
  • An email signup system with automated delivery of your reader magnet
  • Links inside your published books directing readers to your website, reader magnet, and social media – don’t miss this crucial touchpoint with existing readers. Use BookFunnel for this!

These elements create a solid foundation that allows you to capitalize on any BookTok success by converting viewers into long-term readers and subscribers.

2. Understand the Platform

Before diving in, spend time watching BookTok content to understand the platform’s unique culture, trends, and content styles. Pay attention to what resonates with viewers and what falls flat.

3. Create Authentic Content

BookTok users value authenticity above all else. Focus on creating genuine content that reflects your personality and passion for books rather than obvious marketing attempts. Here’s a whole article about creating slides for your TikToks.

4. Engage with the Community

Active participation in the BookTok community is crucial. This means:

  • Responding to comments on your videos
  • Engaging with other creators’ content
  • Participating in trending hashtags and challenges
  • Creating content that adds value to ongoing conversations

5. Utilize BookTok-Specific Strategies

  • Create series of related content to keep viewers coming back
  • Use trending sounds and music appropriately
  • Incorporate popular BookTok hashtags
  • Time your posts for maximum visibility

Tips for Publishers

Publishers can capitalize on BookTok’s influence by:

1. Supporting Author Initiatives

  • Provide resources and training for authors interested in creating BookTok content
  • Help coordinate virtual events and challenges
  • Create shareable content that authors can use

2. Building Direct Presence

  • Maintain an active publisher account sharing behind-the-scenes content
  • Highlight upcoming releases in creative ways
  • Share reader reactions and testimonials

3. Influencer Collaboration

  • Partner with established BookTok creators for book launches
  • Send advance review copies to influential BookTok users
  • Create exclusive content or editions for the BookTok community

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  1. Don’t focus solely on selling. BookTok users can spot overly promotional content from miles away.
  2. Avoid forcing trends that don’t fit your brand or book. Authenticity matters more than jumping on every trend.
  3. Don’t neglect engagement. Success on BookTok requires consistent interaction with the community.
  4. Don’t expect overnight success. Building a following takes time and consistent effort.

Measuring Success

Track your BookTok efforts through:

  • Video views and engagement rates
  • Follower growth
  • Hashtag usage
  • Direct sales correlation
  • Website traffic from TikTok
  • Mention tracking

The Future of BookTok

As the platform continues to evolve, we’re seeing new trends emerge:

  • Increasing focus on diverse voices and representations
  • Growing influence in adult fiction markets
  • Integration with other social media platforms
  • Development of BookTok-specific marketing strategies

Conclusion

BookTok represents a significant shift in how books are marketed and sold in the digital age. Its power lies in its ability to create genuine connections between readers and books, fostering a community that celebrates reading in all its forms. For authors and publishers willing to invest time in understanding and engaging with the platform, BookTok offers unprecedented opportunities to reach new readers and build lasting connections with their audience.

Remember that success on BookTok isn’t just about following a formula – it’s about finding authentic ways to share your love of books with a community that’s eager to discover their next favorite read.

How much does it cost to publish a book on Amazon?

Editor’s note: we now have an entire website dedicated to the self-publishing process!  Go on over to SelfPublishingChecklist.com, where we walk you step by step through the entire self-publishing process.

YES, the whole process can be done for free– we’ve tested it!

For many writers considering self-publishing, cost is the first question and concern. The range authors spend to self-publish varies dramatically. You can choose to self-publish completely free, doing everything yourself, or you can spend thousands upon thousands of dollars paying for printing, marketing, and other services. The trick is finding the happy medium of buying what you need and doing what you can on your own. Read on to see three distinct budgets for authors who want to put their books out themselves, which is a great option!

A writer can easily spend a few thousand dollars getting books printed, only to have them become a permanent fixture in their garage because she has no idea how to get them into bookstores. Or, a writer can create an ebook completely on their own, and his mom and his friends will buy it, but then sales will stop completely because he is not a book marketer.

So where does the money go? Let’s assume you have a novel you’d like to publish. What will you spend? Let’s break down some possible scenarios, starting with the most-requested “free option.” Totally do this yourself!  Do every single part the best you can, bootstrap your way up to a sustainable income, then re-invest that money into the next book. It has been done! It can be done!

Budget publishing – Free

  • Developmental/ copy edit  – Writers’ groups, classes, beta readers
  • Cover Design – Barter or do it yourself on Canva
  • Book formatting and layout – Do the print version in Word, set up the ebook using Kindle Create or use Reedsy‘s free editor
  • Printing – free (KDP is free to upload and pays you royalties)
  • ISBN – Use Amazon’s free ISBN for the print version(s) of the book, your Kindle ebook doesn’t need one
  • Author photo – free (Your Facebook profile picture is fine)
  • Marketing – free (Set up free email list account using this guide, rely on social media to get the word out about your book), do the five free KDP Select days to try to push your book’s BSR down and grow your list for your next launch.
  • Website– skip it for now or use a free blog like WordPress.com

Considering that half of self-published authors earn less that $500, any amount more than this may seem disheartening. However, consider that a book a is a product. Quality products are supported by a whole team of services and experts. According to a survey reported by The Guardian, the average earnings for self-published authors is $10,000 a year. What separates those earning $500 from those earning $10,000? Visibility and quality of product. If you invest nothing in your book, don’t expect readers to be very impressed, or compelled to buy. While it’s easier than ever to get a book to market, readers are savvy and spot sub-par products easily. Even if you create a beautiful product, wonderfully written with professional presentation, if no one hears about it, your book will sit untouched online, gathering virtual dust.

Here is a breakdown I find reasonable for many authors:

Smart spender – About  $2,000 – 4,000

  • Developmental edit $1,000
  • Copy editing $800
  • Cover Design $500
  • Book formatting and layout $300 (One-time cost for Vellum, all subsequent books will be free)
  • Printing – free (Print on demand only)
  • ISBN – $200 (buy a block from Bowker)
  • Author photo – $100
  • Total marketing spend – $1000 (Review service, Promo buys, Amazon ads)
  • Website – $100 (For custom WordPress theme)

This scenario may be tweaked. For example, you can find brilliant marketing help for just a couple hundred dollars. Maybe you spend a reasonable $2,000 on a developmental edit, but then find a student to do your final proofing for just $500.

This is still a formidable amount of money for many authors. Few have $5,000 extra laying around. Luckily, there is much you can do to make this investment achievable. For example, you don’t need to be paying for editing at the same time you’re buying marketing. These expenses may be spread out over many months. Plus, many editors and marketers will work out payment plans with you as well.

Big spender – Upwards of  $20,000

  • Developmental edit $3,000
  • Copy editing $1,500
  • Cover Design $800
  • Book formatting and layout $1500
  • Printing– still free using KDP, $149 to put the book in with Ingram
  • ISBN – $100
  • Author photo – $400
  • Kirkus Review – $425
  • Google Adwords – $500
  • Facebook Ads – $500
  • Print advertising – $1,200
  • Marketing collateral – $1,000
  • Marketing consultant / PR  – $2,000
  • Events / launch party – $1,000
  • Website – $2,000

Just as there are few writers with extra cash lying around, there are few writers that are only writers. Most of us have a few other marketable skills as well. Perhaps you are a fantastic editor, or an illustrator. Maybe you’re a social media whiz, or can build webpages. Consider taking on freelance work, or even trading services with other authors, in order to get the help you need for your project.

Bottom line, publishing is a business, and businesses cost money. If you want readers to buy your book, you will need to make an investment in order to produce a quality product, above and beyond your amazing writing. The good news is that with so many paths to self-publishing, there is a way to get the help you need without going broke.

Save