6 Ways to Modernize Book Marketing with Social Media

Traditional book-marketing strategies are dying. The placement of a book in a bookstore window doesn't have the same impact it did ten years ago. In this new world of constant technological noise, how do you successfully market a new book?

For many publishers, social media marketing is the answer. In order to sell a product, you need to be present in the same digital social spaces as your consumers. Hundreds of thousands of books are published every year. Therefore you need to know how to make your book stand out. Here are 6 things you absolutely need to be doing in order to get a book noticed:

1. Establish a presence on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
The best way to spread awareness for a new book is through word-of-mouth. Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter are the perfect sharing platforms. With the right targeting and use of keywords, millions of people can potentially see your content. Provide sneak peeks to catch the consumer's interest and be sure to include a buy button within the preview.

2. Get reviews on Goodreads.
Ask people to review the book on Goodreads.com. Not only does the platform have over 30 million users, it also integrates with other social media platforms. This can easily result in additional exposure.

3. Create a book trailer.
The only type of media that outperforms images is video. Visualize the book experience using video. Book trailers don't need to be high-production videos, but make sure they are professional and straight-forward. Post them to YouTube and Vimeo - these sites allow others to share your video content all over the web.

4. Leverage social media influencers.
When Oprah recommends a book, it's bound to be a bestseller. Why not identify the social media "Oprah's" in your niche and ask them to read and review the book? Start by pitching to influencers who regularly read books from the new title's genre.

5. Post frequently on a blog or on Tumblr.
A blog is a great place to share tidbits of content and direct consumers to buy the book. On a blog, you can share unique content that will help you connect with potential buyers on a personal level. Consistent, focused blogging can also help improve keyword rankings if you optimize your blog for search engines.

6. Use incentives to engage with potential buyers.
Incentivize users to share and promote your book by giving away free (preferably signed) copies. Double your exposure by partnering with an online bookstore or a social media influencer. This way, online users are doing the work for you!

Good luck and happy reading!

Michelle Drucker is manager of marketing at BookPal. Based in Irvine, Calif., BookPal, LLC sells books in bulk to corporations, schools, literacy programs, nonprofits and government agencies. For more information, visit www.book-pal.com.