FAQ's
How do I market a book as a first-time author?
Marketing your first book is less about “doing it all” and more about doing a few things well. Start with your reader, not the tactics Before you design ads or social posts, define: Who is this book for? What else do they read? Where do they spend time online? If your reader lives on Kindle Unlimited, TikTok, or cosy mystery Facebook groups, your plan should reflect that. Set up a minimal author platform You don’t need a huge brand, but you do need a few basics: A clean Amazon page with a strong blurb and cover An author page (Amazon Author Central or a simple website) One email sign-up link for readers who enjoy your work These are the foundations that keep paying off long after launch. Create a simple launch plan For first-time authors, a good launch plan usually includes: A small review team or ARC list A launch discount or promo window A handful of social posts and emails around release week Basic keyword and category optimisation Once that is live, you can layer on ads, newsletter promotions, or social media experiments. If you want this mapped out step by step, Writem’s Launchpad is built specifically for first-time authors who want a clear, repeatable marketing plan rather than guesswork.
What is the best way to promote a self-published book?
Self-published authors have huge flexibility, but that can feel overwhelming. The goal is to build a promotion system that fits your book and your time. Optimise the page before you push traffic Promotion only works if your sales page converts. Check: Is the cover professional and clearly on-genre? Does the blurb hook readers in the first few lines? Are your categories and keywords aligned with similar bestsellers? Fixing these points often improves results more than any ad tweak. Choose one primary traffic source Instead of dabbling everywhere, pick one main route: Amazon ads – Great for steady, targeted traffic if you’re patient with testing. Facebook/Instagram ads – Useful for strong visual genres and when you’re willing to learn the platform. Newsletter promos – BookBub, Freebooksy, etc., work well for discounts and series. You can always add more later, but starting with one helps you learn what moves the needle. Leverage existing reader hubs Look for: Subreddits, Facebook groups, or Discords for your genre BookTok or Bookstagram niches Blog tours or review sites that welcome indies The best system is the one you will actually keep doing. Writem focuses on helping you choose and optimise the few channels that make sense for your book, rather than chasing everything at once.
Does social media actually help authors sell more books?
It’s easy to either overestimate or underestimate social media. What social media is good at Making readers feel like they know you Showing your book repeatedly in different contexts Reaching new people through shares, trends, or hashtags These strengths make platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X powerful top-of-funnel tools. What social media is bad at Closing cold sales on every post Replacing a good book description or sales page Doing your marketing for you If you rely solely on organic posts with direct “buy now” links, you’ll usually see weak results and burn out quickly. A healthier strategy for authors Pick one or two platforms where your readers already hang out. Share a mix of: Short extracts or lines from the book Behind-the-scenes posts Reader reactions, screenshots, or reviews Use clear calls to action only when it matters: launch week, discounts, new releases, or newsletter pushes. Think of social media as a discovery and relationship tool, not your entire marketing strategy. Writem’s blueprints help you plug those platforms into an overall system so they support your book sales instead of distracting from them.
How much should I spend on book marketing?
Amazon is a search engine that happens to sell books. Understanding the basics of how it works can transform your marketing. Key signals Amazon pays attention to While the exact formula is secret, common signals include: Sales volume and speed Kindle Unlimited page reads Conversion rate (views → purchases) Relevance of keywords and categories Reader behaviour on your page (e.g. bouncing vs. buying) Early bursts of activity—sales, page reads, and reviews—are especially important around launch. Metadata is your first optimisation layer Your title, subtitle, blurb, categories, and keywords tell Amazon who should see your book. If your keywords don’t match what readers are typing or your categories are too broad, the algorithm simply has less data. Covers and blurbs influence conversion Even with good traffic, a weak cover or confusing blurb tells Amazon, “people clicked, but they didn’t buy.” Over time, the system shows your book to fewer readers. How to use this in your marketing Research categories and keywords properly, not by guesswork. Ensure your cover and blurb match genre expectations. Plan a launch that creates a concentrated period of sales and reads. Keep traffic trickling through ads or promos so the data never flatlines completely. Writem’s Amazon Launchpad is built to align all of these elements so your Amazon presence feeds the algorithm instead of fighting it. Here are several reasons why an editor is essential: Objective Evaluation: An editor provides an unbiased, professional assessment of your work. They can identify areas that may need improvement, ensuring your writing is clear, engaging, and error-free. Grammar and Style: Editors are experts in grammar, syntax, and writing style. They can correct errors, improve sentence structure, and enhance overall readability. Consistency: An editor ensures consistency in tone, style, and formatting throughout your manuscript. This consistency is vital for a polished and professional final product. Story Development: For fiction writers, editors can offer insights into character development, plot structure, and pacing. They help enhance the overall narrative and keep the reader engaged. Clarity and Flow: Editors focus on the clarity and flow of your writing. They can suggest revisions to eliminate confusing passages and improve the overall coherence of your work. Target Audience: Editors consider your target audience and make recommendations to ensure your writing resonates with the intended readership. Professionalism: A well-edited manuscript demonstrates professionalism. Whether submitting to literary agents or self-publishing, a polished manuscript increases your chances of success. Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Editors can identify and rectify common writing pitfalls, such as redundant phrases, clichés, or inconsistent characterization. Meeting Publishing Standards: If you're aiming for traditional publishing, a professionally edited manuscript is essential. Publishers and literary agents expect a high standard of writing in submissions. Personal Growth: Working with an editor provides an opportunity for personal growth as a writer. You can learn from their feedback and improve your skills for future projects. Whether you hire a developmental editor, a copy editor, or a proofreader depends on your specific needs and the stage of your manuscript. Investing in professional editing services is a valuable step toward producing a polished, high-quality piece of writing.
How do I get more reviews for my book?
Reviews build social proof and feed recommendation algorithms, but they rarely appear by accident. Start before launch Invite early readers to join an advance review team. This could include: Beta readers Newsletter subscribers Genre-specific bloggers or Bookstagrammers Give them clear expectations: they receive a free copy in exchange for an honest review on launch (or shortly after). Ask at natural moments Add a short, friendly note at the back of your book with a direct review link. Include review requests in your launch and follow-up emails. Post on social media when you hit milestones (“We’re at 25 reviews—thank you!”) and gently invite more. Make it easy Every request should include: A direct link to your book’s review page Reassurance that short, honest reviews are fine A reminder that reviews help other readers discover books they’ll love Avoid buying or faking reviews—platforms are increasingly strict, and it can damage your reputation. Writem’s email templates and launch plans build ethical review requests into your marketing from day one.
What is an “author platform” and do I really need one?
“Author platform” can sound intimidating, but it simply means visibility + connection. Core components of a basic author platform A home base (simple website or author page) An email list where readers can subscribe At least one social or community channel Retailer pages (Amazon Author Central, Goodreads, etc.) You can build this gradually; it’s not something that has to be perfect before launch. Why it matters Without a platform, every new book feels like starting from zero. With a platform: Each book grows the same audience. You can launch sequels or spin-offs to warm readers. You’re less reliant on any one algorithm or ad account. How to keep it manageable Pick tools and channels you can maintain. It’s better to have: One email list you email monthly than Four social media accounts you almost never touch. Writem’s approach is to help you build a platform that fits your real life, so your writing and marketing can coexist instead of competing.
How do I build an email list for my book?
Email lists remain one of the most reliable assets an author can own. Offer something readers genuinely want Strong reader magnets include: A prequel or side-story set in your book’s world A checklist, cheat sheet, or guide (for non-fiction) Bonus scenes or an extended epilogue The key is relevance; your magnet should appeal to the same people who’d enjoy your main book. Place sign-up opportunities everywhere Back of your ebook and paperback Your website homepage and blog posts Social media bios and posts During promos or giveaways Always explain what readers get: updates, launch discounts, behind-the-scenes content, etc. Send emails that build trust, not just sales Regular doesn’t have to mean weekly, but it should be consistent. Mix: Stories from your writing life Recommendations in your genre Occasional direct promotions and launch news Over time, your email list becomes your most dependable launchpad. Writem’s email blueprints give you plug-and-play sequences so you’re never staring at a blank email editor.
Should I run Facebook ads or Amazon ads for my book?
Think of Amazon and Facebook ads as two different tools. Amazon ads: closer to the purchase Pros: Target readers by keywords, categories, and similar books Ads show directly on Amazon where people are ready to buy Performance is tightly linked to your sales page Cons: Can be slow to gather data Requires patience and structured testing Weak blurbs or covers will limit results Facebook/Instagram ads: stronger on awareness and list-building Pros: Strong visuals work well for certain genres Great for driving traffic to landing pages or email magnets Flexible targeting beyond just “books” Cons: Can get expensive without a clear funnel Requires creative testing and good images Cold audiences may take longer to convert Which should you choose? If your Amazon page is strong and you want sales or page reads: start with Amazon ads. If you want to grow an email list or promote higher-ticket non-fiction: consider Facebook/Instagram driving to a landing page. Writem doesn’t just say “run ads”—we show you how to plug each platform into an overall plan so you know what success should look like.
What makes a book cover sell better?
Readers judge books by their covers because they have to. It’s how they filter thousands of options. Genre signalling matters most If your book is a cosy mystery, dark romance, or business how-to, your cover should sit comfortably among the bestsellers in that niche. Study: Colour palettes Fonts and layouts Common visual cues (e.g. silhouettes, symbols, character styles) If your cover looks like it belongs on another shelf entirely, many readers will scroll past. Professional execution builds trust Common red flags: Stretched or pixelated images Too many fonts Hard-to-read titles Off-centre or unbalanced layouts You don’t need a huge budget, but you do need clean design. Think in thumbnails Most people will see your cover first as a small image on a phone. Test: Is the title readable at small size? Does the main visual still make sense? Does it pop against Amazon’s white background? A great cover gets clicks; your blurb then carries the sale. Writem’s guides walk you through assessing your cover against your category, so you can upgrade it with purpose.
Why isn’t my book selling, even after launch?
“Why isn’t my book selling?” usually feels personal, but the diagnosis can be practical. Step 1: Check the product Ask honestly: Does the cover clearly fit the genre? Does the blurb hook quickly and stay focused? Are the first pages tightly edited and engaging? If any of these are significantly off, marketing may only amplify the problem. Step 2: Check visibility Look at: Your keywords and categories—are you competing in the right spaces? Whether you’ve run any promos, newsletter features, or ads How often you talk about the book on your existing platforms No visibility means even a brilliant book will sit quietly on the shelf. Step 3: Check conversion Use simple metrics: Page views vs. sales (if you have access) Ad clicks vs. purchases or page reads Feedback from readers who did buy If lots of people click but don’t buy, your page is the issue. If almost nobody clicks, your targeting or cover/title combination may be misaligned. Writem’s audits and roadmaps exist for this exact scenario, so you can diagnose the bottleneck, fix it, and relaunch with a clearer plan instead of starting from scratch.
Do I need an author website, or is Amazon enough?
Many authors delay building a website because it feels like a big project. It doesn’t have to be. What Amazon gives you A powerful sales engine Built-in traffic and search Reviews and rankings But: You don’t control the platform You can’t easily build deeper relationships Algorithm changes can affect your visibility overnight What a basic author website does for you A simple site with: A homepage introducing you and your books Individual book pages with buy links An email sign-up form Links to your social profiles creates a central hub that you own. It also looks more professional to media, reviewers, and potential collaborators. When is it worth it? If you: Plan to write more than one book Want to build an email list Offer services, courses, or speaking alongside your books …a website quickly becomes more than just “nice to have.” Writem specialises in helping authors build sites that are focused on reader journeys, not just pretty pages.