As an author looking to promote your work and reach a wider audience, you might have heard of BookTok.

BookTok is a flourishing community of book lovers on the popular short-form video-sharing app, TikTok. With over one billion active users worldwide, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for authors to market their books, connect with readers, and even boost sales through the platform. In this introduction to BookTok for authors, we’ll explore what BookTok is, the opportunities it presents, and how you can leverage influencers to sell more books.

What is BookTok?

BookTok is an organic platform that emerged on TikTok as users began sharing their passion for books through engaging, bite-sized videos. While not an official category or hashtag on the platform, BookTok encompasses various content forms, such as book reviews, recommendations, hauls, unboxings, challenges, memes, and skits. It caters to readers of all genres, including young adult (YA), fantasy, romance, and thriller.

Opportunities on TikTok for Authors

TikTok offers numerous opportunities for authors to promote their work and build a larger audience. Some of these opportunities include:

  • Building a personal brand. As an author, you can create a TikTok account to share your writing journey, offer writing tips, or provide glimpses into your creative process. This can help you establish a personal brand and connect with readers on a more intimate level.
  • Engaging with readers. TikTok allows you to directly engage with your audience, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among your readers. By responding to comments, participating in trends, and sharing relatable content, you can create meaningful connections with your followers.
  • Selling books through TikTok Shop. TikTok Shop is an e-commerce feature that allows users to sell products directly through the platform. Authors can leverage this feature to sell their books, making it easy for their followers to purchase and support their work.

Using Influencers to Sell More Books

One effective way to promote your book on BookTok is by partnering with influencers who have a significant following and can sway their audience’s buying decisions. Influencers, can review, recommend, or create engaging content around your book, exposing it to their thousands of followers. This can lead to increased visibility, word-of-mouth marketing, and ultimately, higher book sales.

Colleen Hoover’s BookTok Success Story

Bestselling author Colleen Hoover serves as a prime example of how BookTok can boost an author’s popularity and sales. Her books, such as “It Ends With Us” and “Ugly Love,” have gained significant traction on BookTok, thanks to influencers who passionately recommend her novels.

Hoover’s popularity on the platform has translated to a significant increase in sales. With many of her titles experiencing a resurgence in the bestseller lists. For instance, “It Ends With Us,” originally published in 2016, topped the New York Times bestseller list in 2021. This is a testament to the power of BookTok and its influencers. Hoover’s success highlights the potential for authors to capitalize on the platform to reach new readers and boost their book sales.

To make the most of BookTok as an author, consider the following strategies:

  • Identify and collaborate with relevant influencers. Research BookTok influencers who align with your genre and target audience. Reach out to them with personalised messages and offer review copies or promotional collaborations.
  • Create engaging and shareable content. Partner with influencers to develop creative content that showcases your book authentically and appealingly. This could include book trailers, character-inspired challenges, or themed aesthetics.
  • Encourage user-generated content. Encourage your followers and influencers to create their own BookTok videos related to your book. This can include reviews, discussions, or even creative interpretations of your characters and storylines. User-generated content can amplify your book’s reach and create a sense of community among readers.

In conclusion, BookTok offers a wealth of opportunities for authors looking to promote their writing, expand their audience, and boost book sales. By understanding the dynamics of the platform, collaborating with relevant influencers, and creating engaging, shareable content, authors can tap into the power of BookTok and connect with a passionate community of readers.

Colleen Hoover’s success serves as an inspiring example of how BookTok can elevate an author’s career. In turn bringing their work to the forefront of literary discussions. Embrace the world of BookTok and discover the potential it holds for your writing journey.

‘Francesca is an established book reviewer and booktokker with over 50k followers. Her favourite genres are thriller fiction and contemporary romance.’

Check out her TikTok here, her Instagram here and her blog here.