AUTHOR GUIDE
Book marketing for self-published authors: a simple starting plan
THE SHORT ANSWER
Self-published authors get the best results by fixing their Amazon page before spending on promotion, then building honest reviews, reaching readers directly through a newsletter, social media and book clubs, and testing small ads. Marketing works best when the book page is already ready to convert visitors.
Step 1: fix the page before you send traffic
Ads and promotion send people to your book page. If the cover, description or categories are weak, you pay for visitors who don’t buy. Check the page first.
Step 2: gather honest early reviews
Give advance copies to readers who like your genre and ask for honest feedback. Never buy reviews.
Step 3: build a way to reach readers
A simple email newsletter lets you tell readers about new books without paying for ads every time.
Step 4: reach readers where they gather
Book clubs, reader groups, podcasts, local libraries and bookstores are all places to share your book.
Step 5: test small ads
Start with a small daily budget on Amazon ads using specific reader phrases. Keep what works, stop what doesn’t.
WANT US TO CHECK YOUR BOOK?
MENTOR offers a free Amazon audit of your book page. We look at your cover, description, categories and keywords and tell you what to fix first. Get your free audit.