5 Actionable Steps to Kick Off Your Book Series

Tips for Authors

So you’re writing a new series. How exciting!

It’s time to start spreading the word. Yes, now.

First things first: who is your target reader? Your dream consumer? Is she a voracious reader who gobbles up short romances by the handful? Does she read one women’s fiction a week? Is a she a casual reader of cozies? Maybe she’s a diehard suspense fan, reading every one she can get her hands on.

  • How much money does she spend on her average book?

  • How many books does she read a week?

  • Is she a member of book clubs? Kindle unlimited? Or is she a library patron?

  • Where does she talk shop with other readers? At a brick & mortar store? With her neighbors? At book club? Online? Where online?

Keep your ideal in mind as you move forward. Let her guide where, when and how you promote your series, your books and yourself. Go where she is.

Once you’ve answered those questions, let’s move on to: announcing your series. Ideally, you’ll have a page dedicated to your wonderful new series on your website. Got that done? You included series title, description, release dates, covers, book titles and any other info you currently have right? And you managed to include a few keywords like “new book series,” the genre, similar to whose work or what movie/TV show?

Excellent.

Next, it’s time to announce your series to the world. This means a thoughtful social media blast. Remember, get in front of your ideal reader. Where does she hang out? Facebook or blogs? Does she read literary magazines? Can you write an article for them?

Then, share the news with your friends. See if they will share your news too.

Finally, start hanging out where your ideal reader hangs out. This is the long haul. One at a time engagement that will show readers you’re serious about your new series, the genre, and their community. If she’s a regular blog reader, contribute to the blog. Leave genuine, thoughtful comments. If she’s a forum member, same thing. If she’s an RT subscriber, get your name in there. Contribute. Add value. Become a name she sees often and then become more than a name.

Make a daily effort to interact. Listen. Comment. Absorb. Reply. Ask questions. Share your favorite books, lines, authors and ask for recommendations.

As you’re engaging with you’re audience, take us behind the scenes of your new series.

  • Where did you get the idea?

  • How did characters get their name?

  • Why did you choose the setting?

  • What have you learned while researching your book?

  • What’s the hardest part of writing a series?

Sporadic sprinkling of information about your series will spread the word more effectively than a few one off promos. Remember. This is a slow build that will yield results because it’s intentional, focused on engaging with readers who are genuinely interested in what you write.