If you’re looking to grow your book’s visibility and attract genuine readers, “The Follower Funnel” method might be the strategy you need. This hands-on approach is all about targeting readers who are already interested in books like yours and nurturing those relationships, one by one, until they become fans of yours.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to make this method work for you. I did this method (on MySpace! Back in the beginning of time!) so I know it does work, and two years ago I had an author client use this method on Instagram to eventually become a bestseller with 500 reviews and a huge following of her own.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you, though– this is the most time-consuming and labor-intensive method of all, because it involves going one by one through thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of followers. Use it only if you have more time than money and you are very good at following up. Authors are always asking me how I did it and if I would please just tell them what they need to do, and this is it.
I would say 96% of the people I describe this method to say something like, “There is NO WAY I would ever do that; that is way too time-consuming,” but I get asked about it all the time, so here it is!
Before You Begin: Set Up Your Author Platform
Before diving into the “Follower Funnel,” make sure your author platform is ready to engage new readers who come your way:
- Create a Professional Website: At minimum, include a landing page with your bio, books, and an email signup form. Offer something of value (like a short story or sample chapter) to encourage visitors to subscribe to your list.
- Choose Your Social Media Channels: Pick 1–2 platforms where your target readers are most active (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc.). Regular posting and interaction with your followers help build credibility and trust.
- Offer a Reader Magnet/ Email Subscribe Link: Entice new subscribers with a freebie (like an exclusive chapter or short story) in exchange for their email address. This builds your community and makes future promotions more effective. Once you do this method, you’re never going to want to do it again, so set yourself up to succeed!
- Make Sure Your Book is Ready (and Competitive). See “competitive analysis” below. If your competitive analysis reveals that your book cover is crap, STOP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM before you start approaching people. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Having a solid platform not only increases your visibility but also gives new followers a way to connect with you after you reach out via the “Follower Funnel.”
Step 1: Understand the Core Idea of the Follower Funnel
The concept behind “The Follower Funnel” is simple: you’re connecting with readers who already have an interest in your genre, and you’re doing it in a thoughtful, personal way. Here’s how it works:
- Identify Popular Authors in Your Genre: Look for bestselling authors or those with a solid fanbase whose books align with your own (we’ll do this in the next step, the competitive analysis).
- Follow Their Followers: Head to their social media accounts and look through the list of people who follow them. These are the readers who are likely to enjoy your book too. One by one, start following them.
- Engage Individually: Instead of just blindly following large numbers of people, carefully follow a few readers at a time and engage with them personally via direct messages. Introduce yourself and your book, and politely ask if they’d be willing to read and review it.
These readers are already invested in your genre, which makes them more likely to appreciate what you’re offering—and hopefully, leave an honest review. You’re not trying to make money using this method. You’re just connecting with people, offering them a totally free review copy in a genre they already like, and trying to get them to become your fans. The money comes later, when they leave you great reviews, tell their friends about you, and buy all of your subsequent books. Think of it as being a door-to-door salesperson for your book and author career.
Step 2: Start with a Competitive Analysis
Before you start following anyone, take the time to do some research:
- Do a Competitive Analysis for Your Book / Genre. Instructions on how to do that right here.
- Create a List of Comparable Authors: Identify authors whose books are similar in theme, genre, or style.
- Observe Follower Engagement: Check the interaction levels on their posts—do their followers actively comment, like, and share their content? If so, they might be ideal readers to connect with.
- Analyze Their Content: Take note of what these authors post—giveaways, reader polls, book discussions, or quotes that resonate with their audience. This will help you tailor your own approach and messaging.
Step 3: Follow—But Don’t “Ghost Follow”
Now that you have your list of followers to target, it’s important to follow the right people in a genuine way:
- Be Slow and Strategic: Don’t follow hundreds of people at once. Spread out your follows over time and ensure you’re engaging with followers who truly resonate with your genre.
- Engage Authentically: If you see someone post about a book you know and love, leave a thoughtful comment or like their post. Start a real conversation before sending your direct message.
Simply following these readers won’t automatically make them fans. You need to build a personal connection with them. These are your actual potential fans– people who are fans of this genre and follow authors similar to yourself.
Step 4: Personalize Your DMs
Once you’ve followed a few readers, it’s time to start building that relationship. Sending a direct message is key to initiating a conversation:
- Introduce Yourself: Begin with a friendly greeting. Mention how you found them through their interest in a particular author or genre.
- Briefly Introduce Your Book: In one or two lines, explain what your book is about, its genre, and what makes it special. Keep it concise, but intriguing.
- Invite Them to Review: Offer a free ARC (Advance Review Copy) of your book in exchange for an honest review. Make it clear that you appreciate their feedback—positive or critical.
- Don’t Use a Generic Message: Personalize each message so that it feels like you’re speaking directly to the individual. Reference something specific about their profile to make your pitch feel less like a mass message.
People are much more likely to respond to a direct message that feels genuine and tailored to them. You’re not just sending out a book pitch; you’re starting a conversation with a potential reader.
Step 5: Create a Tracking System
Tracking your outreach efforts is essential to staying organized, especially as you start following more people. You don’t want to lose track of who you’ve contacted, when you sent an ARC, or when to follow up.
- Use a Simple Spreadsheet: Create columns for:
- Username/Handle
- Date Contacted
- Date ARC Sent
- Follow-up Date
- Notes (e.g., any responses, feedback, or preferences)
- Set Reminders: Give yourself a reminder to follow up with anyone who hasn’t responded after a week or two. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly nudge to get them to follow through with the review.
Being organized ensures you don’t miss any opportunities and helps you track which methods are working best.
Step 6: Sustain the Relationship
Once you’ve sent your book to a reader and received their feedback, don’t let the interaction end there:
- Thank Them: Always thank your reviewers for their time and thoughtful feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. This shows respect for their opinion.
- Offer to Return the Favor: If they are a fellow writer or reviewer, offer to support them—whether that’s sharing their content or offering a quote for their next project.
- Keep in Touch: Consider adding them to your newsletter (with permission) or engaging with them on social media so the relationship continues to grow.
A lasting connection can turn a one-time reviewer into a loyal reader who follows your work and recommends you to others.
Step 7: Pace Yourself and Adjust
This method is time-intensive, so it’s important to set manageable goals and adjust as needed:
- Set Goals: Start small by reaching out to 5–10 people a day, or 50 a week. Gradual, consistent outreach is more effective than trying to do everything at once.
- Experiment with Different Platforms: Try different social media platforms to see where your target readers are most active. Twitter may be quick for short conversations, while Instagram might be better for more personal, visual connections.
- Track What Works: If certain types of messages or posts are getting more engagement, refine your approach and keep doing what’s working.
Patience and consistency are key. Over time, you’ll see a steady increase in responses and reviews, and your fanbase will grow.
Final Thoughts
“The Follower Funnel” is a strategic and personalized way to connect with readers who already love your genre. It’s a method that takes time but yields genuine connections, leading to authentic reviews that help your book gain traction. By building relationships one reader at a time, staying organized, and making genuine efforts to connect, you can steadily grow your audience and generate valuable reviews that will support your success. Keep engaging, track your efforts, and watch your readership grow with each thoughtful interaction.
