Tag: #bookmarketing

Understanding why Your 500k Followers Might Not Make You a Bestseller

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You’ve built a loyal following. Congrats—that’s no small feat! But here’s the truth: followers alone won’t move your book off the shelves. Some may cheer you on, but others are simply there for the bite-sized insights or free advice. That’s not a flaw in your brand—it’s reality.

If you’re counting on your social media audience to convert into buyers, think again. Your book deserves more than hope; it needs strategy.

Start by looking beyond the DMs and likes. Ask yourself, “Do you have partnerships that could amplify your message—podcast hosts, newsletter swaps, industry allies? Could paid speaking gigs or workshops create buzz and open up new markets?” A robust sales plan taps into multiple channels, not just your own.

Your book should be the centerpiece of a larger offering—an extension of your expertise, not a stand-alone product.

So before you send that proposal or post another pre-order link, ask yourself: what have I built besides my follower count? Because a platform is more than an audience—it’s an ecosystem.

And ecosystems? They sell books.

Saying Goodbye to Outdated Author Beliefs

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As we turn the page to 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on our approaches to publishing. For first-time authors, especially, the following three common misconceptions can hinder success.

The Myth of the Follower-Fueled Bestseller: Having a substantial online following is undoubtedly valuable. It provides a built-in audience and a platform for promotion. However, it’s crucial to understand that followers don’t automatically translate into book sales. A like on a post is a far cry from a pre-order or purchase. Some followers are showing up for the free content—a comedy skit to past the time during lunch break or a lifestyle hack to make planning easier. The smart author directs those followers to their newsletter, private community, and paid services to get a true sense of their audience.

The Illusion of the Self-Selling Book: Many authors mistakenly believe that once their book is published, it will magically find its audience. News flash: it will not! This is a competitive business, and book buyers are selective about where they spend their dollars. The smart author actively promotes their book and bakes it into their work.

The Trap of Passion Alone: While passion is undoubtedly a driving force behind writing a book, it’s not enough to guarantee sales. (And neither is a celebrity endorsement or feature in top media, but that is a separate post.) Enthusiasm for your topic doesn’t automatically translate into reader interest or effective marketing. The smart author has a strategy to reach their readers; this author understands the audience’s pain points and communicates how their book alleviates them.

This year, let’s embrace a more realistic and strategic approach to nonfiction publishing. Happy writing, and happy new year!