What is BookTok: 4 TikTok Strategies for Authors

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Who said TikTok was full of mindless videos? Clearly, they’ve never heard of BookTok. This thriving subcommunity on TikTok has proven itself to be transformative for authors everywhere, highlighting specific books through viral videos. Leveraging the BookTok community has become essential for authors — especially indie authors. Learn how to market a book on social media, including BookTok, to raise awareness and improve book sales.

What is BookTok? Discover its impact

BookTok is its own little corner of TikTok, centered around books, book lovers, and authors. “BookTokers” use the platform to have book discussions, give reviews, and recommend their favorite books. It’s become influential in the promotion of books by newer authors, as well as creating reading trends, and ultimately making books that may have otherwise been under the radar to become bestsellers.
BookTok also allows authors to make personal connections with potential readers and engage directly with their current audience. Today, it has over 29.1 billion views – so, needless to say, it’s a marketing strategy that continuously proves to be successful. Let’s dive into helpful tips to learn how to market a book to new and young readers and the BookTok community.

Finding your niche on BookTok

The first step in diving into the BookTok world as an author is to find your niche. You can start with the genre you write in, like fantasy, nonfiction, romance, etc. When you get to know the types of books and content that resonate with book enthusiasts, you can refine your approach and create with intention. You can check out trending hashtags that relate to your genre, such as #fantasy, #yabooks, or #authorsoftiktok, see what creates the most engagement, then strategize accordingly.

Connecting with BookTokers

Finding your niche leads you to show up in the right places – then it’s all about connecting and engaging from there. To connect with BookToker users, you’ll want to:

• Create content that’s authentic and relatable. You can share some BTS views into your writing process, insights into certain characters from your books, or your overall journey as an author.
• Utilize hashtags. Using relevant hashtags allows your content to be discoverable by potential readers and followers. Use the #BookTok hashtag and more genre specific ones like #romantasy.
• Show off your books. Get creative when showcasing your work. You can read excerpts, talk about the themes behind your story, or show previews of the book cover.
• Provide value. You can also talk about topics other than your own book, such as other book recommendations or writing tips. This helps to establish yourself as a thought leader on the platform and create more engagement, which equals more followers, which ideally equals more readers.

What makes a BookTok video go viral?

If you want your BookTok videos to go viral, the key is to identify and engage your target audience. Every genre — from fantasy to romance, sci-fi to nonfiction — has its passionate readers and BookTokers. When you understand what these communities are looking for, it can significantly impact your reach.
Make sure that when you’re making your videos, you’re also keeping in mind trending topics and challenges. This is also useful when you’re feeling blocked in creating content. Additionally, showcase your personality and what makes you … you. Authenticity is magnetic, particularly in the highlight reel world of social media, and combined with using hashtags and trends, it will draw your audience and potential readers to your profile.

4 Engaging content strategies for authors

Navigating the ins and outs of social media can be overwhelming, particularly for authors who have accounts solely to promote their work. In the age of digital media and DIY promotion, it can feel daunting to have to keep up with trends and continuously put yourself out there.
However, by utilizing strategic content creation tactics, you can create your online presence, engage your audience, perhaps go viral, and ultimately boost your book sales. Here are 4 content strategies that you can weave into your marketing plan.

Creative video ideas to hook your audience

• Behind the scenes. Invite your followers into the journey of creating your book. BTS videos can include your writing habits and routines, what inspired your story, and research tips.
• Book trailers. Similar to a movie trailer, book trailers give a sneak peek into your story before it hits the shelves. You can go big and hire actors to play your characters or keep it low-key with some face-to-camera time, giving a summary of your book.
• Character introductions. This also calls for some face-to-camera video time to introduce your main characters, their back stories or characteristics, and what inspired you in their creation.
• Live reading sessions. Choose a few passages from your book and read it live (or pre-record it!). This gives potential readers an idea of your writing style and the overall tone of the story.

Leveraging trends & challenges to boost visibility

• Duets and reactions. You can engage with content from other BookTok influencers and creators by utilizing the duet or reaction features. This is particularly useful when discussing themes that are relevant to your own story.
• Participate in hashtag challenges. Hashtag trends are always happening on TikTok, and BookTok is of course no different. Join hashtag challenges that are relevant to your genre or general literary topics. The latest BookTok trend is silent book reviews where people act their feelings and reactions towards a new book.
• Create your own challenge. If you can’t find a challenge that’s relevant to you, create your own! You can launch a challenge that’s related to your book’s theme and encourage followers to share and participate.

Building your brand and connecting with readers

• Share your story. Connect with your followers by sharing your story of becoming a writer, your personal experiences, or your influences.
• Host Q&As. Go live and host question-and-answer sessions, where followers can ask about your future projects, your writing process, or advice for their own writing journey.
• Content series. Pick one theme relevant to your story and develop a series of videos that focuses on that for a certain amount of time. These could include how to build a story world, character development, the publishing industry, etc.

Collaborations and influencer marketing

• Reach out to book influencers. Identify BookTokers who post about and discuss your book’s themes or genre. Pitch your book to them and create a connection that will open you up to many more followers and potential readers.
• Online book clubs. Find relevant online book clubs and offer to give exclusive content or author talks. This can create buzz around your book and encourage group discussions.
• Collaborate with fellow authors. Team up with other authors in your genre to cross-promote each other’s work and expand your audience. Even in your same genre, it’s not a competition — more exposure across the board is a win/win for everyone.

Implementing these strategies can help you to not just attract your target audience, but to maintain their interest. Leveraging trends, building a personal brand, and creating strategic collaborations can help turn casual followers into readers who are passionate about your work — and want to tell the world via their BookTok.

Your one-stop shop for self-publishing success

BookTok is just one step along the journey of going from writer to author. For every other step, BookBaby is here to help. As your one-stop shop for self-publishing, we offer everything from book printing to book marketing services. Contact us today to get your book published and in the hands of readers around the globe.