So, you’ve written a book—or maybe you’re in the final stages of finishing it. That is a really great achievement. First, get your book seen and sold. This is an important part to increase sales of your book that many new authors forget about. It’s not enough to write the book.
Getting it to the right people at the right time and in the right way is the other half. You can lose your book in the crowd, even if your work is great if you skip this part or rush through it. Here are some tips on how to make sure your first book is a hit, so it doesn’t just sit on a digital shelf and no one reads it or buys it.
Why Visibility Matters More Than You Think
Imagine you’ve written a fantastic book. It gives you great ideas, fun things to do, or tips that will change your life. But no one knows it’s there. For many self-published first-time writers, that’s the harsh truth. No matter how good the book is, it won’t generate book sales on its own.
You need to ‘position your book like a product’ to build visibility and traction, which means you need to think about how to sell it, when to release it, and how many people will see it right away. This may sound like a lot, but learning how to market a book is manageable when broken into clear steps.
Step 1: Know Your Audience Before You Hit Publish
Before you even think about your book cover or sales page, take a step back and ask yourself: Who am I writing this for?
Knowing your target audience helps you:
- Write better marketing copy
- Select the right keywords
- Know which sites to promote on
- Talk to them in their own language in emails and videos
For example, a book on productivity for college students is going to need a very different approach than one for busy CEOs.
Tip: Make an easy profile for your readers. Write down their age, what they want to achieve, what they find hard, their favorite books, and the websites where they like to hang out. Everything else you do will depend on this.
Step 2: Choose a Title That’s Clear, Not Just Clever
Your book title should be understandable at a glance. New writers often make the mistake of choosing a clever or vague title that only makes sense after reading the book.
Furthermore, your title should do one of three things:
1. Sort out a Question (“How to Write a Book in 30 Days”)
2. Make a bold promise (like “The 5-Hour Workweek”).
3. Spark curiosity (“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck”)
And don’t forget the subtitle. Also, this is where you can put lots of keywords to make the value even clearer.
Step 3: Nail Your Book Cover—Yes, It Does Matter
People often say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Yes, most people do, especially those who are online.
Your cover is the first impression potential readers get of your book. It has to:
- Look professional
- Match your genre
- Stand out in the thumbnail view
Hire a designer if you can. Use a good design platform and look at covers that have already done well in your field. At first glance, you want people to be sure that your book is worth their time and money.
Step 4: Optimize Your Book Description
Think of your book description as your sales pitch.
Start with a strong hook or something that makes people want to read more in the first 1–2 lines. Then explain:
- What the book is about
- Also, what will it teach people
- What makes it unique or important
To make it easy to read, keep your lines short. If it helps, use bullet points. Moreover, it makes the benefits of reading your book obvious—this helps increase sales. Don’t forget that this is not a recap; it’s a strong case for why someone should buy it.
Step 5: Choose the Right Categories and Keywords
When publishing on platforms like Amazon, you’ll be asked to pick categories and keywords.
Here is a smart way to do it:
- Pick niches where there isn’t as much competition. You’re more likely to reach the top of the charts.
- Use relevant keywords that real people are looking for. Think like a reader, not a writer.
- For example, “self-discipline for entrepreneurs” is more specific than just “motivation.”
There are tools out there (like Publisher Rocket) that can help you find the right terms—but even a bit of basic research on Amazon can go a long way.
Step 6: Pick the Right Time to Launch
Timing your book release matters a lot. While the holidays sound appealing, many first-time authors make the mistake of rushing their launch to hit this window. Unless you’re writing a children’s book or a holiday-themed cookbook, December is a tough time to stand out.
It’s hard to get people to read your book if you don’t have a strong promotion. Instead, you might want to start in January, April, or September, when readers are more focused and there is less competition.
Step 7: Plan a Simple Marketing Strategy
A solid book marketing plan is all you need to sell your book. You don’t need a lot of money or a PR firm. So, a simple way to begin is this:
1. Build anticipation before launch with sneak peeks or early access.
2. Send review copies to a few readers or writers to gather early book reviews.
3. When you sell your business, use “social proof,” like early reviews or testimonials.
4. Promote your book across channels: email, social media, and author groups.
5. Don’t stop after the launch—most books sell more over time, not just in the first week.
Think long-term. Most of the time, consistent book promotions work better than a rushed launch.
It’s About Progress, Not Perfection: To Market Your Book
Lastly, making your first book visible and sellable doesn’t have to be hard. Focus on each step one at a time, and remember: every successful publisher started where you are now. The most important thing is to keep going—to learn, change, and grow. Because sending your book out into the world and seeing the right people is one of the best feelings you’ll ever have.
That’s why Kurt Gassner’s book Born to Publish: All You Need to Succeed at Making Media is so useful. With decades of real-world experience, this book shows you exactly what it takes to do well in publishing, from running the business and marketing to budgeting and managing a team. Thus, this book is packed with practical knowledge that will save you time, money, and stress.
