The Author Email Marketing Mindset: Debunking the Myths!

Email marketing is one of the most valuable tools for authors to connect directly with their readers, build a loyal following, and drive book sales. Yet, many writers avoid it, often citing reasons that turn out to be common myths. Whether you’re worried about being too technical, not having enough to say, or thinking email is outdated, these misconceptions can hold you back from unlocking the full potential of this powerful platform. In this article, we’ll debunk 19 myths about email marketing and show you the reality behind each one.

If you’re an author who’s been putting off starting an email list, you’re not alone. Many writers come up with reasons why email marketing isn’t for them. But these reasons often turn out to be myths that hold them back from connecting with their readers and growing their audience. Let’s explore 19 common myths about email marketing and the reality behind them.


Myth 1: “I don’t read email, so why would my readers?”

Reality:
Just because you don’t read emails doesn’t mean others don’t. Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for reaching audiences, with a ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. Many readers check their email daily, and having direct access to their inbox ensures they see your updates, unlike social media posts that can get buried in algorithms.


Myth 2: “Email marketing is dead.”

Reality:
This myth has been debunked countless times. Email marketing is far from dead; it’s thriving. Platforms like Facebook or Instagram can disappear, change their rules, or throttle your reach overnight. Your email list is a direct line of communication you own, making it invaluable for building long-term relationships with your audience.


Myth 3: “I don’t have anything to say to my readers.”

Reality:
If they love your writing, they want to hear from you. Updates can include:

  • Sneak peeks of your next book.
  • Behind-the-scenes stories or your writing process.
  • Personal anecdotes or inspiration.
    Your readers are signing up because they want a connection with you—sharing even small updates strengthens that relationship. You want people to root for you when you publish your next book!  You need to make those connections!

Myth 4: “No one is going to sign up anyway.”

Reality:
You don’t need thousands of people to start; even a small, engaged list can be powerful. Think about it: if just 100 loyal readers buy your next book at $10 each, that’s $1,000 in sales. As you write more and promote more, your list will naturally grow. Everyone starts small!


Myth 5: “It’s too technical.”

Reality:
Email marketing platforms like MailerLite, EmailOctopus, and Aweber make the process easy, even for beginners. Step-by-step tutorials are everywhere, and many platforms offer drag-and-drop editors and simple automation. If you’re overwhelmed, start small with a basic sign-up form and one welcome email. If you thought I was going to say MailChimp, please go read my rant about why I quit them and why you should not use them. Sorry MailChimp!


Myth 6: “I’ll get around to it later.”

Reality:
Every day you wait is a day you miss potential subscribers. It’s much harder to grow a list after your book launches because you’ve missed the momentum. Starting now allows you to build a solid audience, so when you’re ready to promote, you’re not shouting into the void.


Myth 7: “Social media is enough to connect with readers.”

Reality:
Social media platforms are rented space, not owned. Algorithms change, platforms can shut down, and your posts may only reach a small fraction of your followers. An email list is yours to control, ensuring your messages reach your audience directly without interference.


Myth 8: “I don’t want to bother people with emails.”

Reality:
If people sign up, it’s because they want to hear from you. The key is to provide value—updates, exclusives, and content they can’t get elsewhere. When done right, email marketing feels like a personal conversation, not spam.


Myth 9: “I’m too busy writing to focus on email marketing.”

Reality:
Email marketing doesn’t need to consume your time. Start with just a simple landing page and a short, automated sequence to welcome new subscribers. Once set up, these systems run on autopilot. Spending an hour a week on email marketing can dramatically improve your reach and sales.


Myth 10: “I don’t know how to get people to sign up.”

Reality:
The easiest way is to offer something valuable:

  • A free short story or novella.
  • A character profile or world-building notes.
  • Early access to chapters or bonus material

Make it irresistible, and people will gladly subscribe.  If you are truly stumped about what to give out as a reader magnet, can I once again recommend Tammi Labreque’s “Newsletter Ninja” series?  Tammi has forgotten more about email marketing and reader magnets than I have ever known.


Myth 11: “I don’t want to pay for email marketing software.”

Reality:
Most platforms offer free plans for small lists, typically up to 1,000 subscribers. By the time you need to upgrade, your email list should be generating enough sales to cover the cost.


Myth 12: “I don’t think email will help sell books.”

Reality:
Studies show that subscribers are 4x more likely to buy than followers on social media. Email allows you to build relationships, offer pre-orders, and promote new releases directly to an engaged audience that’s ready to support you.


Myth 13: “I don’t have enough readers yet to justify an email list.”

Reality:
The best time to start an email list is before you think you need it. Even a handful of readers can be a foundation to grow from. As you release more books, your list will scale, becoming one of your most valuable assets.


Myth 14: “I don’t know how to write emails.”

Reality:
If you can write a book, you can write an email! Keep it conversational and authentic. Imagine you’re writing to a friend who loves your work. You don’t need to be formal or perfect—just be yourself.


Myth 15: “I don’t want to sound salesy.”

Reality:
Your email list is about building relationships, not just selling. Share stories, insights, or exclusive behind-the-scenes content. By engaging your readers in a genuine way, they’ll look forward to your emails. When you do have something to promote, it feels natural, not pushy.


Myth 16: “It’s embarrassing to have a small list.”

Reality:
Everyone starts somewhere. Even authors with massive followings began with one subscriber. The size of your list doesn’t matter as much as the quality of your audience. A small, engaged group of readers who love your work is far better than thousands of uninterested subscribers.


Myth 17: “I don’t want to manage unsubscribes or deal with complaints.”

Reality:
Email marketing platforms handle unsubscribes for you automatically—there’s nothing to manage. Complaints are rare if you’re sending relevant and valuable content. And if someone doesn’t want to hear from you, that’s okay! Focus on the people who do.


Myth 18: “I’ll build an email list when I’ve published more books.”

Reality:
Waiting until you’ve published multiple books means missing out on connecting with early fans who could help build your momentum. Start now, even if you only have one book (or none). Use the list to build excitement for future projects.


Myth 19: “I’m not sure if my genre needs an email list.”

Reality:
Every genre benefits from email marketing. Romance readers love sneak peeks and updates. Fantasy readers want world-building extras. Mystery readers enjoy solving puzzles or getting exclusive clues. No matter your genre, there’s a way to engage readers who crave more of what you create.

What to Price Your KDP eBooks: an Ongoing Experiment

As promised, here at BookPromotion.com we are constantly experimenting on our own work and reporting the results back to you.   I like to think of this as “trying and failing/ succeeding so you don’t have to.”

As you probably know, Amazon (through their Kindle Direct/ KDP program) wants you to keep the pricing of your eBooks within the $2.99 – $9.99 zone.   They do this by penalizing you (in terms of royalty percentage) when you go over or under this window.   For instance, you make 70% royalty (in most countries) on a book in the $2.99 – $9.99 price range, but drop below or above this range, and you’ll only get a 35% royalty.  Ouch!   You don’t have to be able to do algebra in your head to figure out that you’re going to have to sell a huge amount of books at $.99/ apiece to make up for that lost percentage. So, while you might want to keep your book’s prices low to entice your customers, doing so might cost you (literally).

Here are some thoughts on the low/ high ends of the book pricing argument.  Of course (of course!) you’ll first want to do a thorough competitive analysis to determine the average pricing for your genre/ niche/ type of book you are selling. The competitive analysis might answer your question about pricing, but if it does not, here are some guidelines:

— Free:  Amazon will let you do this for five out of every ninety days if you’re enrolled in their KDP Select program.  Our suggestion is that you use these five free days to get as many downloads and reviews as possible.  This can be a good strategy for authors trying to build their mailing lists (of course, you’d need a link for email signup in the front or back matter of the book), and can get you some sales in the “post free” lift period that occurs immediately after your book is free.  We have been noticing lately that Amazon is cracking down on this “lift” period, however, so don’t count on this being a huge number. If you’re wondering about the “permafree” strategy that some authors employ, there is more information on that right here.

— $0.99 – $1.99:   With pricing in this zone, you’re only getting the 35% royalty, so you need to make sure you’re doing a larger volume of copies at these prices.  It is true that some books will only sell at this price, and at that point, you should be trying your best to get the reader to perform a secondary action (like signing up for your mailing list or buying another book).   Amazon does not want you to use this pricing model, so make sure it is worth your while if you have to take that pay cut.

— $2.99 – $9.99:  This is Amazon’s “sweet spot” for self-publishers, and if you stay within it, they will reward you with a 70% royalty.   That is awesome, especially if your market research shows that your book can sustain this pricing.

Over $9.99:  This is not pricing I would recommend for self publishers (in fact, I even advise large publishers against this, and some of them are starting to listen to me).   Amazon’s user base of readers gets savvier every day; if your Kindle book is priced at $19.99, this not only makes you look like you don’t know the eBook market and are clinging on to legacy hardcover pricing, you also are almost daring someone to buy the book at that price and then leave it a scathing one-star review over quality/ pricing.  I have seen this happen more than once, so please consider this a warning.  Also, remember that big publishers have totally different deals with retailers, so you don’t know what they are getting paid on a book priced at $14.99 for the eBook version.

Here is some excellent wisdom on pricing experimentation from author Dave Hendricks:

I start each new book at 99¢. After I’ve gotten at least 10 reviews I raise the price to $2.99 to get 70% royalties. After that, I raise the price by $1 every 2-4 weeks. The longer testing period is necessary if my sales fluctuate a lot. When the weekly royalties stop rising, I stop raising the prices. Or I stop at $9.87, whichever comes first. Do not judge your price point by the NUMBER of sales, but by the profit you make.

Finally, I will show you this chart (that Dave also told me about), from Smashwords:

Chart credit: Smashwords all the way!
Chart credit: Smashwords all the way!

 

 

Here’s what Dave concluded from the chart:  SmashWords did research that revealed that, in general, price points between $3 and $3.99 were the most profitable for most authors. Prices between $6 and $6.99 were the second most profitable, followed closely by price points between $4 and $4.99. But that’s a generalization. Every book and topic is different, so experiment to find out your own most profitable price point.

The bottom line:  you should be conducting market research on your book / topic/ genre regularly to see what the market will tolerate in terms of pricing your particular book.  If you want to read more about Amazon’s pricing, here is a link.

And with that, I will leave you to consider the all-important questions:  is your book priced appropriately?  Is the price of your book holding it back? Should you try changing your book’s price today?

Here is a step by step guide, in case you were needing that:

How to Price Your eBooks

Pricing your eBooks can feel like a daunting task. Set the price too high, and readers may pass on your work. Set it too low, and you may undervalue your effort or miss out on potential earnings. Here are some strategies and considerations to help you determine the best price for your eBook.

1. Understand Your Market

Before setting a price, research your genre and audience. Take a look at successful eBooks in your category and note their pricing. For example:

  • Romance novels often range from $0.99 to $4.99.
  • Business and self-help eBooks may command higher prices, typically between $7.99 and $19.99.

Consider your target audience’s willingness to pay. Readers looking for entertainment might be price-sensitive, while those seeking professional advice might be willing to invest more.

2. Consider Your Goals

Your pricing strategy should align with your objectives. Are you looking to:

  • Maximize Sales? Lower prices (e.g., $0.99 or $1.99) can attract more buyers and help you gain visibility.
  • Establish Authority? Higher prices (e.g., $9.99 or more) can position your eBook as premium content, particularly in niches like business or education.
  • Encourage Reviews? Offering your eBook at a discounted price or even free for a limited time can help you gather reviews and build momentum.

3. Leverage Price Psychology

Price endings can influence buying decisions. For instance, $2.99 feels significantly cheaper than $3.00 to many buyers. Experiment with popular price points like $0.99, $2.99, $4.99, or $9.99.

4. Test and Adjust

Pricing isn’t static. You can:

  • Run promotions to test how different price points affect sales.
  • Use tools like Amazon’s KDP Select Countdown Deals to temporarily reduce your price while retaining a higher royalty rate.
  • Analyze sales data and adjust your pricing based on performance.

5. Factor in Royalties

On platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), your royalty rate depends on your price:

  • Prices between $2.99 and $9.99 typically qualify for a 70% royalty.
  • Prices outside this range usually earn a 35% royalty.

Calculate your potential earnings at different price points to find a sweet spot that balances volume and profit.

6. Offer Multiple Editions

You can cater to different segments of your audience by offering various editions of your eBook:

  • A basic edition at a lower price.
  • A premium edition with bonus content, such as additional chapters or resources, at a higher price.

7. Monitor Competitor Pricing

Keep an eye on trends in your genre. If competitors lower their prices or introduce new offerings, you may need to adjust accordingly to stay competitive.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Pricing is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Experiment with pricing tiers, seasonal discounts, and limited-time offers to find what resonates best with your audience.

Conclusion

Setting the right price for your eBook requires research, experimentation, and a clear understanding of your goals. By considering your audience, monitoring trends, and remaining flexible, you can develop a pricing strategy that maximizes your eBook’s success.

How to Publish on KDP

Ebook reader - Amazon Kindle
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/ ale_rizzo

We received several requests from authors to summarize digital services and/ or point you toward decent tutorials for doing so.   I’m in the process of developing a series just like that, and today we’ll start with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), which is Amazon’s popular self-publishing platform.

I always tell authors to start with KDP for several reasons.  For one, Amazon gives you the most control over your book (in my opinion) in terms of categorization, keywording, and giveaways, and I like that they give you immediate access to your sales.   I know, publishers have relationships with booksellers so they don’t want to use only one distribution channel, but for first time self publishers, I do think it’s a good place to start, and a good proving ground for books to get used to doing giveaways, getting publicity, getting reviews, and generally getting your feet wet in the business of selling books.

The first thing you’ll need in the KDP process is an account.  Amazon makes this super-easy, and they have probably already set one up for you if you’re an Amazon customer.   Just go over to http://kdp.amazon.com, verify your account, and you’ll be ready to go.

Next, you obviously need to get your book into digital form.  Whether that means digging up the old Word file of the final draft or having someone re-type the original hardcover / paperback edition (this also assumes you hold the electronic rights), there really is no failsafe way to just “scan the book into the internet” as several authors have asked me, so I would say my best advice there is:  find the Word file or get to typing.   This is also a job an assistant or outsourced worker could do.

Once you have the file in digital form, you will need to publish it through the KDP system.  Amazon has not one, but two free books about this that I think you should download and start reading.

In case you’re the kind of learner (like I am) who would rather just see someone walk you through something, I will say that I have watch A LOT of Kindle tutorial videos, and the best tutorial I’ve ever seen on the whole process of Kindle Publishing was made by Jim Kukral from Author Marketing Club, which I totally think you should join if you are an author trying to get books out there.  Jim does an awesome job with his training seminars, he’s always making innovative tools to help people sell more books, and he’s generally a great guy, so I think you should go over there and sign up for the AMC right now (either the free version, or the Premium Version, which I belong to myself and which I think is actually underpriced at the annual rate).   Once you’re in there, you just go to “Video Tutorials,” where you will find enough information to make your head fall off.    The videos are available in the free version, just in case you’re wondering.

Personally, I did my first Kindle book with very little in the way of instruction, preferring the “trial and error” method, and therefore, it took about 100 times longer than it should have.   I found the whole thing easy until I got to the actual uploading of the cover and the book file itself, and that is where I would recommend you have a guide or a tutorial in place.

Once you’re done publishing your book, you will need to send a request to Amazon to have the Kindle version “joined” with the paper version (if that doesn’t happen naturally).   You might also want to pick up a copy of the book “Making a Killing on Kindle,” which is a solid strategy book, or our book “How to Market a Book,” which covers getting your author platform in order and starting to reach out to bloggers and on social media to get your book some coverage.

This can all sound overwhelming, and that is totally understandable.   Having a digital version is definitely something that you’re going to need going forward, though, so it’s good to start working on that process sooner rather than later.

How to promote a book

If you are looking for a great way to promote your book for free, get involved in the social networks. And we mean INVOLVED, don’t just sign up for an account and leave it at that. They are a free way to connect others with you and your book and there’s a ton of them out there. As a general rule, if you are wondering which social networks you should use to create an online presence for yourself, the answer is: use them all. Just recognize that how you use the medium and the way you communicate with others may vary from site to site and be prepared and organized so you can stay on top of them. To get started, make a list of all the online sites you are currently a member of – and not just Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., it could be a blog, your own website, or a forum where you have a profile and link. Then sign up for some new ones to increase your online presence.

If you don’t have a book yet, there has never been a better time to self publish and get your work out there.

If you want to self publish a book and want exceptional service, visit www.lulu.com to learn more about what they can do for you.

Review: Turning Pro (Steven Pressfield)

A few weeks ago I read Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield, who also happens to be my new BFF who I had the pleasure of having breakfast with last week (more on that later, believe me).  One of the things I like most about this book is that Pressfield doesn’t soft-pedal his advice at all:  basically, he’s the honeybadger of writing coaches:  Ohh, are you whining about how you have writer’s block and how ‘the muse’ hasn’t visited you lately?  Much like the honeybadger, Steven Pressfield doesn’t give a f%^k.  He wants you to get off that couch and get your writing done.  He wants you to take yourself seriously as a writer/ artist, and I agree.  In fact, I will take it one step further and say that I think you should take yourself seriously as a writer, write a book (or five), then get serious about yourself as a business-person and start getting yourself out there in a big way.   To me, “Turning Pro” is a swift kick in the ass for people who are making excuses and waiting for someone (like an agent or a publisher) to give them permission to keep writing.

This really resonates with me because, come hell or high water, I write and I get my stuff out there.  I work hard, I am generous with advice, and I will always help someone in need (case in point, almost every day I get requests from writers/ creative types to tell them what to do to fix their websites, or to sell more books, or to get more people to their websites (this is always contextual, but I try to always answer the questions to the best of my ability).

Pressfield has a great passage in this book about WWI soldiers shooting themselves in the foot when it came time to go to battle, because the pain of shooting yourself is (mentally, at least) less painful than having to go and fight whatever might be over that next hill.    Here’s an excerpt:

“The habits and addictions of the amateur are conscious or unconscious self-inflicted wounds.  Their payoff is incapacity.  When we take our M1903 Springfield and blow a hole in our foot, we no longer have to face the real fight of our lives, which is to become who we are and to realize our destiny and calling.”

I totally agree, and I will say as a witness, this kind of shooting yourself in the foot doesn’t end even when you have finally turned pro, become a writer, and finished your book.   It is AMAZING to me, and I mean AMAZING at how little of my advice people actually follow (and I am including advice that they seek me out and pay for), and how little authors/ creative types are willing to actively engage in their own success, whether this means putting themselves on a regular writing schedule, or fixing broken links on their website, or even taking a single first step toward putting their digital profile in order (or, as I would call it “Turning Pro 2.0,” in which I tell you:  You’ve written a book (or five)?  Good for you.  Now you need to pull your website together, get on social media, and let people know about your work.)  That is how book marketing works in the brave new world of the internet:  no one will know about you unless you tell them, but if you spend too much time telling them, then you are not doing the work.

So, in short, I totally think you should read this book, and then get back to work on your book, then read my book, set up a website and start marketing that book.   Pull it together!   No one’s going to take you seriously until you do that yourself.

Seriously.  Pull it together.   Read it, live it, and then read my book,  out there and turn pro with your marketing, because (as my BFF Steven Pressfield and I can both attest), that writing career isn’t going to make itself.

Oh, and while you’re at it, I totally think you should watch this hilarious interview that Steve did with Chris Brogan.

Advertising Your Book on Amazon KDP– a Step by Step Guide

If you’re looking to boost the visibility of your book and win new readers, Amazon’s advertising platform is a powerful place to do it. Yes to paid advertising all day long! Sponsored Product Ads, in particular, can help you stand out in a crowded market and reach potential buyers who are actively browsing or searching for books. Below is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to get you started.

However (and this is a big however!), I bet you’re not ready to run ads, and I would love to save you some money by making sure you (and your book) are totally ready before you spend one penny on ads.


Step 1: Prepare Your Author Platform

Before you invest in ads, make sure there’s a way for new readers to stay connected with you—beyond just a single purchase. That’s where your author platform comes into play.

  • Create or Update Your Website
    Even a simple site that showcases your books, your bio, and an email signup form helps establish credibility. Include links to your social media pages, plus an easy way for readers to contact you.
  • Offer a Reader Magnet
    Provide a free short story, a bonus chapter, or any other special content in exchange for readers’ email addresses. This way, when ads drive traffic to your Amazon book page, you can also direct people to your site to join your email list.
  • Stay Active on Key Social Channels
    It’s better to focus on one or two platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) rather than trying to be everywhere. Regular updates and interactions show potential readers you’re an engaged, authentic author and will give them a chance to follow and engage with you that you don’t have to keep paying for (and also, hopefully, get them to sign up for your email list).

An established platform doesn’t just build trust with potential readers—it also means you won’t be depending on ads alone to maintain contact with your audience. Once someone discovers you through an ad, you have a place to invite them where they can become long-term fans.

I’m so serious right now– do NOT PROCEED TO THE NEXT STEP UNTIL THIS IS DONE. Do not spend one penny on advertising, marketing, or book promotion of any kind until you have these things set up. If you do, you are basically pumping money through your book, not building your career and your business as an actual author.If you don’t have a link inside your book to a reader magnet where people can sign up for your email list, you are not ready to run paid ads.  Stop right here and set all of that up!!


Step 2: Prepare Your Book Listing

A good ad can only do so much if your product page isn’t ready to convert visitors into buyers. Treat your listing like a mini sales page.

  • Book Cover
    Make sure it looks professional and matches the style typical of your genre. Think of your cover as a billboard that has just a few seconds to capture attention.
  • Competitive Analysis
    Look at other top-selling books in your genre. Pay special attention to their cover design, book descriptions, pricing, and keywords. Ask yourself what makes your book different or more appealing. Incorporate these insights into your own listing strategy.
  • Description
    Write a concise, compelling blurb that hooks readers right away. If it’s too long or unorganized, visitors may lose interest. Use Amazon-allowed HTML (bold, italics, bullet points) to make it more scannable.
  • Keywords & Categories
    Fill in relevant, accurate keywords so Amazon knows when and where to display your book. Double-check you’re in the best categories to reach your ideal readers.
  • Reviews
    While not strictly required to start advertising, having some positive reviews can dramatically increase your conversion rate once people click on your ad.

Step 3: Access Amazon Advertising

  1. Log in to KDP: Go to your KDP Bookshelf at kdp.amazon.com and sign in.
  2. Select a Book: Find the title you want to promote and click “Promote and Advertise.”
  3. Open Amazon Advertising: You’ll land in the Amazon Advertising dashboard, where you can create and manage campaigns. If it’s your first time, Amazon may provide a quick tutorial.

Step 4: Choose Your Campaign Type

Sponsored Products are the most common and beginner-friendly option for authors:

  • Reach Readers in Search: Your ad can appear in search results for relevant keywords.
  • Feature Your Book Cover: Readers see your cover, title, and a short text snippet, which is very direct and clickable.

Click “Create campaign” and select “Sponsored Products.”


Step 5: Decide on Targeting

Amazon offers two main targeting methods for Sponsored Products:

  • Automatic Targeting
    Amazon uses your book’s metadata—title, subtitle, categories, and keywords—to decide who sees your ad. This option is quick to set up and great for gathering data on which search terms convert.
  • Manual Targeting
    You choose specific keywords or ASINs (competing or complementary books). This approach provides more control but requires keyword research.

Many authors begin with an auto campaign to discover which keywords work best, then launch a manual campaign focusing on the strongest keywords or ASINs.


Step 6: Set Your Budget and Bids

  • Daily Budget
    Decide how much you’re willing to spend each day (e.g., $5 to $10 is typical for beginners). You can increase this later if you see good traction.
  • Default Bid
    This is the amount you’re willing to pay per click. Start modestly—maybe $0.30–$0.50—then adjust if you’re not getting enough impressions or if your costs are too high.
  • Bid Optimization
    For beginners, “Dynamic bids—down only” lets Amazon lower your bid in real-time if it thinks a click is less likely to convert. This helps keep you from overpaying.

Step 7: Create Your Ad Copy (Optional)

Sponsored Products ads typically display your book cover and metadata by default. However, you may have the option to add a short custom text blurb. Keep it brief, focusing on a key benefit or hook for your target readers. Avoid promotional language like “On sale now” or “#1 best seller,” as Amazon’s policies may disallow certain claims.


Step 8: Review and Launch

Double-check everything:

  • Campaign name (helps you stay organized if you run multiple campaigns)
  • Start/end dates (you can leave it open-ended and pause manually)
  • Budget and bids (are they realistic for your goals?)
  • Targeting type (auto or manual)
  • Ad creative (cover, short text)

When satisfied, click “Launch campaign.” It can take a few hours—sometimes up to 24—for Amazon to approve and start displaying your ads.


Step 9: Monitor and Optimize

Advertising on Amazon isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. Keep an eye on:

  • Impressions: If these are too low, consider raising your bid or increasing the daily budget.
  • Clicks/CTR: A low click-through rate might mean your cover or ad text isn’t resonating with your audience.
  • Sales/ACOS: Look at your Advertising Cost of Sales. Aim to keep it below your profit margin.
  • Search Term Report: Especially useful for auto campaigns. Identify which terms or ASINs lead to profitable sales, and which just eat up your budget.

Step 10: Expand with Manual Campaigns

After you’ve gleaned insights from your auto campaign, create Manual Sponsored Products campaigns:

  • Keywords: Add the high-performing terms from your auto campaign.
  • Negative Keywords: Exclude words that consistently lead to clicks but no sales.
  • ASIN Targeting: If a particular competing or complementary book converts well, target that ASIN specifically.

Adjust bids as needed. Raise bids on profitable keywords, lower or pause those that are underperforming.


Step 11: Rinse and Repeat

Amazon advertising is an iterative process:

  • Test New Keywords: Trends change, new reader preferences emerge, so keep refining your approach.
  • Experiment with Additional Campaign Types: Sponsored Brand ads (if you have multiple books) or Lockscreen ads (on Kindle devices) can also be worth exploring.
  • Stay Vigilant: Even small tweaks—like altering your bid by a few cents—can have a meaningful impact on your results.

Final Thoughts

Advertising on Amazon can be a fantastic way to reach new readers, but it works best when you’ve prepared a rock-solid foundation. By building a vibrant author platform, refining your book listing (with a solid cover, compelling description, and smart keyword choices), and understanding how to target your ads, you’ll give yourself the strongest chance for success. Then, once your campaigns are live, stay curious and keep optimizing—because the best results come from thoughtful experimentation and consistent follow-through.

 

All About BookFunnel: What is It? Why Do Authors Need It? Is it Worth it?

Because I am (apparently) never done bombarding you with new things you need and have to pay for, let’s talk about something I use that I think you should use if you have the budget:  BookFunnel.

What is BookFunnel?

Long story short, BookFunnel is a website that helps authors deliver their books to readers seamlessly. It offers a range of tools for distributing eBooks, managing giveaways, conducting pre-orders, and building an engaged reader base. By providing a one-stop shop for all of this stuff, BookFunnel simplifies the (often overly complicated) processes of book distribution and reader engagement.

Why Would You Need It?

One of the primary reasons authors use BookFunnel is its ability to facilitate seamless book distribution. That means you can deliver their books directly to readers in multiple formats, including ePub, PDF, and MOBI, ensuring compatibility across various devices and eReaders. This flexibility enhances the reader’s experience by reducing technical barriers to accessing your work. It makes your life easier because you don’t have to manage multiple emails of people having technical problems trying to open your pdf on whatever e-reader they are using at the moment (which you know all too well if you’ve ever tried to manage a free giveaway like bonus material or ARC distribution in eBook form). What you don’t want is to be trying to trouble-shoot every single person’s tech problems while you’re in the middle of your launch, and BookFunnel solves that problem for you. To me, that alone makes it worth the money.

Building and managing email lists is another advantage BookFunnel offers. As I’ve said approximately one million times, an engaged email list is one of the most valuable assets for an author, and BookFunnel integrates seamlessly with popular email marketing services like Mailerlite and Email Octopus. These integration enable authors to grow their subscriber base by offering free books or exclusive content as incentives for sign-ups, fostering a direct line of communication with their readers.

ARC distributions and bonus materials are the reason I personally use them. I used to distribute all of that kind of stuff via PDF, but then I heard a crazy nightmare story about a fellow author sending out ARCs via PDF (using one of the services, not their own list, just to be clear), and later having one of the ARC readers upload that PDF into Amazon and publish it as their own work.  Because the PDF didn’t have any kind of tracking or watermarking, the author could not prove ownership to Amazon and ended up having to get a lawyer involved to get their work back.

After that I stopped distributing any of my work via PDF.  Now I only use ePubs distributed through BookFunnel, with watermarking and tracking turned on. BookFunnel employs secure delivery methods to prevent unauthorized sharing and piracy. Features like DRM-free downloads and personalized download links ensure that authors’ work is protected while still being easily accessible to legitimate readers.

And look, I get that if you’re a first-time author, alot of that probably seemed like gibberish to you and something that you don’t even want to think about yet, and I get that. The problem is, that kind of thing is something that can happen to you at any time in your career (and in fact, the scary example above was for that author’s debut novel), so it actually benefits you to put some advanced security measures in place, even if it costs extra.  I do feel like the money you will spend on BookFunnel is money that you would probably have spent on an ARC service if you didn’t know what you were doing, if that’s any reassurance. This is another example of “build it the first time properly and you won’t have to spend money to revise it,” I suppose.

BookFunnel Pricing

BookFunnel offers several pricing tiers to cater to authors at different stages of their careers and with varying needs. The Basic Plan starts around $15 per month and includes a limited number of downloads, basic email integrations, and standard support. This plan is ideal for authors who are just starting out and have modest distribution needs, and you can pay for a year in advance to get a discount.

The Pro Plan is approximately $29 per month and offers increased download limits, advanced email integrations, priority support, and additional customization options for delivery pages. This plan suits growing authors who need more robust features to manage their expanding reader base and promotional activities.

For established authors with larger audiences, the Premium Plan costs roughly $99 per month. It includes unlimited downloads, full access to all integrations and customization options, dedicated support, and enhanced analytics and reporting. This comprehensive plan is perfect for authors who require extensive distribution capabilities and detailed insights into their promotional efforts.

It’s important to note that pricing may vary, and BookFunnel occasionally offers discounts or custom plans for high-volume authors and publishers, making it adaptable to different budgetary requirements.

Setting Up BookFunnel

Getting started with BookFunnel is a straightforward process that begins with choosing a pricing plan on their website. Many authors start with a free trial to explore the features before committing to a paid plan. Once you’ve selected a plan, the next step is to integrate BookFunnel with your preferred email marketing service. This integration streamlines list-building by automatically adding new subscribers to your email list when they download your book through BookFunnel.

After setting up the integration, upload your properly formatted eBook files (ePub, PDF, or MOBI) to your BookFunnel account. Ensuring your book is free of errors will provide readers with the best possible experience. With your files in place, create a download page and personalize it with your branding elements—like your author photo, book cover, and a compelling call-to-action. BookFunnel’s templates make this easy, even if you have limited design skills.

Once your download page is ready, it’s time to set up your first campaign. Whether you’re planning a giveaway, a pre-order, or a promotional offer, be sure to define clear parameters for participation—such as asking readers to join your email list or share your campaign on social media. After you’ve finalized these details, distribute the download link through your website, social media channels, email newsletters, and other marketing platforms. BookFunnel’s real-time tracking tools help you monitor performance and make adjustments on the fly.

Finally, once your campaign concludes, review the analytics to see what worked and what could be improved. Use these insights to refine your future campaigns, optimizing your strategies for better results and stronger reader engagement.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of publishing, standing out requires more than just writing a great book—it involves effectively promoting and distributing it. BookFunnel offers authors a powerful set of tools to streamline these processes, from managing giveaways and pre-orders to building a loyal email list and engaging with readers. Its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and robust integrations make it an indispensable asset for authors aiming to maximize their reach and impact.

By investing in BookFunnel, authors can save time, protect their work, and create meaningful connections with their audience, ultimately driving greater success in their writing careers. Whether you’re launching your first novel or looking to enhance your existing promotional strategies, BookFunnel provides the support and functionality needed to thrive in today’s digital landscape.


For more information, visit BookFunnel’s website to explore how it can help you reach more readers and streamline your book promotion efforts.

Your Email List: Your Most Valuable Asset as an Author

Let’s talk about something that might surprise you. You know how everyone says you need to be on social media, have a fancy website, and constantly promote your latest book? Well, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: while those things are nice, they’re not the most powerful tool in your arsenal.

What is? Your email list.

I know what you’re thinking – “Email? Really? Isn’t that kind of… old school?” Trust me, I hear this all the time. But here’s the thing: your email list is the one marketing asset you actually own and control. And that’s huge.

## Here’s Why This Matters So Much

Think about it this way: every time someone buys your book on Amazon, guess who gets to keep their contact information? Not you – Amazon does. They’re over there building relationships with your readers while you’re left wondering how to reach them again. Pretty frustrating, right?

And social media? Sure, it’s great, but those followers don’t really belong to you. Facebook or Instagram could change their algorithm tomorrow (we’ve all seen it happen), or those platforms could take away your accounts, and suddenly your posts are reaching basically nobody. Not fun. Also, how about that TikTok ban looming on the horizon? How would you like to be one of those authors who is ONLY selling books because of TikTok?  That’s going to be a rude awakening if the ban goes through. However, if those authors had been getting even a fraction of those book buyers to sign up for their email lists, they’d be better off and not have to start all over.

Speaking of starting over, let me describe a very common phenomenon I see with almost every author I start working with.

## The Endless Launch Cycle Trap

This is when authors have to start from scratch with every single book launch. They’re out there hustling on social media, running ads, doing everything they can think of to reach new readers. It’s exhausting, and honestly? It doesn’t have to be that way. If those authors would just stop and set things up properly so they were consistently building their email lists, each launch would be easier.

## Let Me Make This Super Simple

There are really just three things you need to set up (Let’s call them the 3Ls to make them easy to remember):

1. A List – Pick an email service (like MailerLite or EmailOctopus- anything but MailChimp! – there are tons of good ones. Here’s a list.)
2. A Link (or a QR code) – Something easy for readers to type or click
3. A Landing Page – A page where people can sign up (usually in exchange for something cool, like a bonus chapter). I use BookFunnel for this but you can put a page on your author website or use one from your email service. Just make sure it is super simple to remember in case your reader is going to actually type it in to the internet.

That’s it! No fancy website needed, no complicated marketing schemes. Just these three pieces working together.

## “But I Don’t Know How to Do Any of That!”

I totally get it – this stuff can feel overwhelming at first. That’s exactly why I put together a free guide that walks you through everything step by step.  You can grab that here.

(See what I did there? That’s exactly the kind of link you’ll want to include in your books!)

## Don’t Make This Mistake

Here’s something that makes me sad every single day: I can’t tell you how many authors I’ve worked with who have written dozens of books but never collected a single email address. They always say the same thing: “I wish I’d started this years ago.”

Don’t let that be you! If you’ve already published books without an email signup link inside, every sale is a missed opportunity to connect with a potential superfan. Don’t beat yourself up about it. All you can do is start where you are, right now, today.

## Ready to Take Action?

Here’s your super simple game plan:
1. Grab that free guide I mentioned
2. Sign up for an email service (almost all of them have free plans to start)
3. Create a simple landing page with something cool to give away
4. Put that link in your books

That’s it! Once you’ve got this foundation in place, everything else becomes so much easier.

Remember: your email list is like a direct line to your readers’ hearts (and maybe their wallets too – let’s be real). Don’t wait to start building it!

Migrating Your Author Site from SquareSpace to WordPress: a Step by Step Website Guide

You’re here because your built your author website on SquareSpace (maybe “just to get it over with,” I hear that alot) and now you feel stuck. You like how the site looks, but you feel trapped by the monthly fees and you don’t know what step to take next. Or maybe you were fine with your website (because you didn’t know it could be cheaper) until you read this article, and now you have buyer’s remorse and want to move it.

I get it!  I’m here for you.  I want you to have a website you like and are in total control of (meaning, it is your actual firstnamelastname.com) that is also budget-friendly.  While I do think your website is a super important part of your author platform, I don’t think you’re going to use it a ton (at least at first), and I definitely don’t want you paying something crazy like $30/ month for it. At the beginning of your writer career at least, you’re just putting your website in place as one of the puzzle pieces, mostly to take over that space in the search engines and to give people the opportunity to sign up for your email list. I feel like those requirements can be met for about $5/ month, honestly.

Where do you even start with this?

Good question. To be totally honest with you, migrations are always kind of a chaotic, frustrating mess. That’s a “you don’t know what you don’t know” situation, and the more built up the site is, the more loose ends you’ll end up having to chase down. It helps to keep reminding yourself that ultimately, the headache is going to be worth it to save all that money.

I would start with your domain. The first thing to do is transfer your domain away from SquareSpace so you can control the DNS (where the domain actually points to). SquareSpace counts on you not wanting to know that much about the inner workings of your website, so they maintain control over that part of it (and charge you a premium for that privilege, for whatever reason). If you’ve been exclusively in the SquareSpace world, you might not even be aware of the fact that you can (and should!) register your domain somewhere else for less money. My “best practice” domain registrar is NameCheap, and here’s the thing– once you transfer your domain over there, you can always point it back to SquareSpace if you decide not to do the migration.  So, let’s tackle that one first just to save you some money.

What we’re doing here is moving your website over from SquareSpace to NameCheap, with WordPress.org (a software) as the back-end.  Once your site is built out of WordPress (rather than SquareSpace’s technology), it will look completely different, so start mentally preparing for that now. I know you like the SquareSpace design, but you can’t take it with you (sorry!). This is about saving you money.

How to Transfer Your Domain from Squarespace to NameCheap

Before You Start

Make sure your domain meets these requirements:

  • At least 60 days old (ICANN rule)
  • Not expired
  • Domain lock is disabled
  • You have access to the email address listed on the domain

If your domain doesn’t meet all of these requirements yet (like, because you just registered it at SquareSpace), that is totally fine!  Bookmark this post and come back to this later.

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain in Squarespace

  1. Log in to your Squarespace account
  2. Go to Settings > Domains
  3. Click on your domain name
  4. Disable domain lock if enabled
  5. Request an authorization code (EPP code)
    • Click “Get Authorization Code”
    • Squarespace will email this code to you
    • Keep this code handy – you’ll need it for NameCheap

Step 2: Start the Transfer at NameCheap

  1. Go to NameCheap.com
  2. Go to Domains> Transfer
    3. Type in your domain name. It will give you some information about whether the domain is “eligible for transfer,” which is just referring to whether it is technically “old enough” to be moved. Do not let any of the language alarm or confuse you. You’re doing great!

4. Add the transfer to your cart

5. Complete the checkout process (transfers typically cost around $10-15)

Step 3: Enter Authorization Code

  1. After purchase, go to your NameCheap dashboard
  2. Find the domain under “Domain List” > “Transfer Domain”
  3. Enter the authorization code from Squarespace
  4. Follow the prompts to confirm domain ownership

Step 4: Approve the Transfer

  1. Check the administrative email address associated with your domain
  2. Look for an email requesting transfer approval
  3. Click the approval link or follow instructions to approve
  4. The transfer process will begin

Step 5: Wait for Completion

  • Transfer typically takes 5-7 days
  • Both Squarespace and NameCheap will send status updates
  • Don’t cancel your Squarespace domain service until the transfer is complete

Step 6: Update DNS Records (If Needed)

Once the transfer is complete:

  1. Log into your NameCheap account
  2. Go to Domain List > Manage
  3. Click “Advanced DNS”
  4. Add any necessary DNS records for:
    • Website hosting
    • Email services
    • Third-party services

Important Notes

  • Keep your Squarespace account active during the transfer
  • Save copies of your current DNS records before the transfer
  • The transfer fee typically includes one year of domain registration
  • Your website might experience brief downtime during DNS propagation

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If it seems like SquareSpace doesn’t want you to leave:

1. Stay positive and persistent. This is happening
2. Tell them “It’s fine, I’m just moving my domain over to a less expensive registrar. I still like you.”
3. Keep saying “No thank you” until they give you the damn code already.

If your transfer gets stuck:

  1. Take several deep breaths and remind yourself that this is going to be worth it.
  2. Verify your domain is unlocked
  3. Verify the authorization code is correct
  4. Ensure your contact information is accurate
  5. Contact NameCheap support if needed (they have wonderful chat support)

After the Transfer

  1. Verify your domain works correctly
  2. Update contact information if needed
  3. Set up auto-renewal if desired
  4. Save your NameCheap login information
  5. Go back and cancel your Squarespace domain service

 

Step 2:  Get (Cheap) Hosting, Install WordPress

Once the domain is settled (so to speak), your next move is to get some hosting and install WordPress on it. I would recommend just using NameCheap’s hosting because it is the easiest to set up, and frankly, you have enough to worry about right now and are probably just about over this process already.

So, go back over to NameCheap, click on “Hosting,” then “Shared” and choose one of these options:

I would love for you to pick “Stellar Plus” (the one in the middle) or “Stellar Business” (the one on the right) because those give you the option of hosting more than one website and I want you to leave your options open for growth, but honestly, if the $2/ month option is looking super appealing right now because of what you’ve been paying SquareSpace, I get it!  Do that!!

When that’s done (and remember, your site still “lives” at SquareSpace so it will look like it always did), that is all you can do on the NameCheap side, so you’ll need to go back over to SquareSpace and start packing up your virtual boxes in preparation for your big move.

 

Don’t stress!  This is going to work out!

Step 3:  Go to SquareSpace, export your site

The process of moving your content from Squarespace to WordPress involves several key steps. First, you’ll need to export your Squarespace content. Go to Settings > Advanced > Export in your Squarespace dashboard. This will create an XML file containing your pages, posts, and some basic content structure.

However, be aware that not everything will transfer perfectly. You’ll likely need to manually move or recreate:

  • Custom page layouts
  • Contact forms
  • Image galleries
  • Product listings (if you have an online store)
  • Email newsletter integrations

Now’s the time to really go through the site and go on a copy/ paste frenzy, man. Back that entire site up, one page at a time, and save it somewhere like Google Docs. That way, even if the XML import doesn’t work, you can rebuild by hand.

Step 4:  Set Up WordPress

Now, it’s time to get WordPress up and running so you can begin the import process.

  1. Install WordPress on Your Host: Most hosting providers have a one-click install option. Follow their instructions to set up WordPress.
  2. Access Your WP Dashboard: Typically, you’ll go to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin to log in. Enter the credentials you created during the install.
  3. Pick a Theme: While you can start with a default WordPress theme, you might want to explore themes specifically for authors. Look for something that’s responsive (mobile-friendly) and suits your brand. You can always switch themes later.

Note: Don’t sweat the design details too much yet. You can fine-tune your theme and layout after the content is in place. Just make sure to take a bunch of screenshots of your SquareSpace site so you can find a WordPress theme that looks vaguely similar.

5. Import Your Squarespace Content into WordPress

Now for the fun part—bringing your blog posts and pages to their new home.

  1. In WordPress, Go to Tools → Import: You’ll see a list of options for importing.
  2. Install the WordPress Importer Plugin: If you haven’t already, WordPress will prompt you to install this. It’s free and quick to set up.
  3. Upload Your Squarespace XML File: Select the file you downloaded from Squarespace, and hit Upload and Import.
  4. Assign Authors: If you’ve got multiple authors or want to assign a specific user to the imported posts, you can handle that here.
  5. Wait for the Process to Complete: Once it’s done, you’ll see a success message. Congratulations—your basic content is now in WordPress!

Warning: Some elements—like photo galleries, forms, or custom code blocks—won’t come through. Make a note of these so you can re-create them.

6. Rebuild and Tweak Your Pages

Time to roll up your sleeves and ensure everything looks good on your new WordPress site.

  1. Compare Pages: Remember the content inventory you made in Step 1? Go through each page in WordPress and see what’s missing or needs updates.
  2. Set Up Navigation: In Appearance → Menus, create or edit your main menu so that it mirrors (or improves upon) your old Squarespace menu.
  3. Add Missing Images and Graphics: Some images may not have transferred. Re-upload them to your Media Library (via Media → Add New), then insert them into your pages/posts.
  4. Recreate Forms: If you had a contact or newsletter form, install a WordPress form plugin (like Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Gravity Forms) and rebuild those forms.
  5. Tidy Up Formatting: Check for any stray formatting quirks. Sometimes paragraphs or headings might need a bit of cleanup.

Pro Tip: If you had a newsletter signup on Squarespace, integrate a WordPress-compatible email marketing plugin or embed the signup form from your chosen email service provider so you can continue to capture subscribers.


7. Design and Branding

Your author website should reflect who you are as a writer and what visitors can expect from your books.

  1. Customize Your Theme: Head to Appearance → Customize to play with fonts, colors, and layout options.
  2. Install Essential Plugins:
    • SEO Plugins (Yoast SEO or Rank Math): Helps improve your discoverability on search engines.
    • Caching Plugins (WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache): Speeds up your site’s performance.
    • Security Plugins (Wordfence or Sucuri): Helps protect against hacks and malware.
  3. Test Your Site on Mobile: Make sure your new WordPress site is mobile-friendly. Most modern themes are responsive, but it’s always good to double-check.

Bonus Tip: Consider a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Gutenberg blocks if you want more drag-and-drop flexibility in designing your pages. This can be particularly helpful if you’re not super techy but still want a custom look.


8. Point Your Domain to Your New WordPress Site

Once your site is looking good on WordPress, it’s time to make it live for the world to see. This is where you’ll connect (or “point”) your domain to your new hosting.

  1. Log into Your Domain Registrar: (in this case, NameCheap)
  2. Update DNS Settings: Change your nameservers (or A record) to the ones your new hosting provider gave you.
  3. Allow Time for Propagation: It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24-48 hours for your new site to appear under your domain across the internet.

9. Run Final Checks

Once your domain is pointing to your new site, do a thorough review.

  • Check All Pages: Is the layout correct? Are images showing up?
  • Test Links: Make sure internal links work properly and external links open as expected.
  • Review SEO Settings: Ensure you have the right title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
  • Enable Backups: Set up a regular backup system using a plugin or your host’s built-in backup service.

Reminder: This is the perfect time to share your new website with a few trusted friends or beta readers. Have them poke around and let you know if they spot any issues or typos.


10. Announce Your New Site

You’re live, so it’s time to celebrate—and let your audience know.

  1. Send an Email to Your List: Announce your new site to your mailing list, highlighting any cool new features (like a brand-new freebies section or updated book page). Dude!  This is why I am always going on and on (and on) about building an email list!
  2. Post on Social Media: Show off screenshots or a behind-the-scenes look at your design journey. Invite readers to comment on the new look.
  3. Update Links: Make sure all your social media bios (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) point to the correct domain.

Extra Touch: Offer a small giveaway or bonus chapter as a “housewarming” treat to encourage folks to stop by the new site and poke around.


11. Maintain & Grow

Your WordPress site is up and running (and you have hopefully stopped being mad at me for how difficult this process turned out to be), but your journey doesn’t end here.

  • Keep Plugins and Themes Updated: This helps protect against security issues.
  • Regularly Publish Blog Posts or Book Updates: Keep your content fresh and your readers engaged.
  • Monitor Performance: Use Google Analytics or a similar tool to track traffic and see how visitors interact with your site.
  • SEO & Marketing: Continue optimizing your site for search engines, and ramp up your marketing efforts to bring new readers on board.

Pro Tip: Consider installing a plugin like Broken Link Checker to make sure your site remains healthy over time. It alerts you if any links stop working, so you can fix or remove them quickly.


Final Thoughts

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress can feel like a big leap, but with a bit of planning and some careful execution, you’ll land on your feet with a shiny new author site that gives you more customization and control. Now, you can flex your creative muscles beyond what Squarespace offered—and really make your online author platform your own. Plus, think of all that money you’re saving!

Good luck, and happy building!

How to Use SlideShows on TikTok to Promote Self-Published Books

TikTok (especially BookTok!) has become a powerful platform for indie authors looking to expand their reach and increase book sales. With the right strategies, you can leverage the platform’s unique features to build an engaged audience and boost your income. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating effective TikTok content and maximizing your results.

Why TikTok Works for Indie Authors

TikTok’s short-form video format is ideal for storytelling, sharing tips, and showcasing your books. Many authors have succeeded on the platform by creating engaging content that resonates with their target audience. While there may be an initial learning curve, TikTok’s potential to go viral can lead to significant exposure and earnings.

Step 1: Ensure Your Platform is Set Up Properly

Nope, I’m never going to stop harping on this! Before diving into TikTok content creation, make sure your platform is optimized to capture and engage potential readers.

This includes:

  • Linking to a Reader Magnet Inside Your Book: Include a link to a free bonus (e.g., a short story or chapter) that encourages readers to sign up for your email list.
  • Setting Up an Email Signup Form: Ensure your website prominently features a signup form to capture visitor information.
  • Creating a Strong Onboarding Sequence: Use automated email sequences to welcome new subscribers and guide them toward your other books or content.
  • Optimizing Your Website and Social Media: Ensure your website and social media profiles clearly encourage email signups with CTAs (calls to action) and compelling incentives.

Always focus on building your email list—it’s one of the most valuable tools for indie authors to connect directly with readers.  Remember, you do not own Tiktok or your followers on that platform!  TikTok (or any social media) can go away at any time, so make sure you’re just using them as a means to an end and not as your primary sales driver! I’m serious!

Step 2: Create Slide-Based Videos

Slideshow videos have proven to perform well on TikTok, especially for educational or storytelling content. Follow these tips to create effective slideshows:

  • Make Videos 20-25 Slides Long: Longer slideshows tend to perform better, as they hold viewers’ attention for more time.
  • Use a Consistent Background: Choose one background for all slides to ensure a cohesive and professional look. You can create slides directly on TikTok, make slides on Canva and upload them, or use a service like AuthorScale. Totally up to you and your budget!
  • Keep Slides Simple: Focus on delivering clear and concise information on each slide.

Step 3: Write Compelling Hooks

The first few seconds of your video are crucial for capturing attention. Use tools like AuthorScale to generate engaging hooks that draw viewers in immediately. A strong hook can make the difference between a viewer scrolling past or staying to watch your content.

Step 4: Post Consistently

Consistency is key on TikTok. Posting multiple times a day increases the likelihood of reaching different audience segments. A recommended schedule includes:

  • 2 Posts During the Day
  • 2 Posts at Night

This approach ensures your content reaches viewers across various time zones and activity levels.

Step 5: Use TikTok’s Built-In Features

TikTok’s algorithm favors videos that use trending audio and features. When uploading your slideshows, consider:

  • Posting directly through apps like AuthorScale to streamline the process.
  • Allowing TikTok to select the music for your videos to boost engagement.

Step 6: Drive Traffic to External Platforms

If you’re unable to sell directly on TikTok, use the platform to drive traffic to external sites like Amazon or your author website. Include clear calls-to-action in your bio and videos to guide viewers to your books.

Key Takeaways

  • Slideshow videos are an effective format for creating engaging TikTok content. Their visual appeal and simplicity make them easy for audiences to consume.
  • Posting consistently increases your visibility and engagement.
  • Strong hooks and trending audio can significantly boost your video’s performance.
  • TikTok is a powerful traffic driver for authors who strategically link their content to external platforms.

By following these strategies, indie authors can harness TikTok’s potential to grow their audience and achieve their publishing goals.