So, you’ve written your masterpiece. You’re ready for the world to meet your literary. But here’s the thing: writing the book is only half the battle, promoting it is where the real hustle lives. That’s where a book promotion company steps in. But even the best book promotion company won’t spill all their secrets. No worries, though we’ve got your back!
Let’s uncover 10 sneaky things they probably won’t tell you (but you 100% need to know). Let’s go!
1. We Can’t Guarantee Sales… Like, At All
Firstly, the cold, hard truth. Even the best book promotion company can’t promise your book will become the next viral sensation. They can boost visibility, build buzz, and help you reach more readers. But what about actual sales? That depends on your book, your audience, and a little bit of sprinkle of luck. If anyone says, “We’ll make you a bestseller,” consider it a scam. Okay!
2. Most Of the Work Still Falls On YOU
They’ll promote your book, sure. But YOU are still the face of your brand. You’ll still need to show up on social media, engage with your readers, and maybe even schedule interviews or podcasts. Think of the promotion company as your hype squad — but you’re still the main event.
3. We’re Not Magicians: Your Book Cover Matters
Bad cover? Oof. Even the best marketing plan won’t save it. A lot of book promotion companies won’t straight-up say it, but if your book cover looks like it was made in Microsoft Paint (no offense, Paint), people won’t click. First impressions matter. Invest in a pro, design your sales will thank you.
4. We Use Templates… A Lot
Hate to break it to you, but many promo emails, press releases, and pitches sent out by promotion companies are recycled. Like, big copy-paste energy. That doesn’t mean it’s bad templates cannot work. But don’t assume every email is custom-crafted with glitter and love. Ask about personalization strategies!
5. Some ‘Media Outlets’ Are Just… Blogs They Own
Also, if they tell you your book was “featured on 50 media sites,” pause and read the fine print. So, some of these “sites” are owned by the company. Not actual press. Not actual traffic. Just part of the marketing illusion. So, be sure you’re paying for real reach, not just fluff.
6. We Don’t Read Your Book
Okay, this one stings. Most book promotion companies don’t read the books they promote. And it makes sense. They promote tons of titles every month. But still, it means the messaging they push is based on your blurb, not your story. Make sure your synopsis and pitch materials are on point!
7. Not All Promotion Channels Work Equally for Every Genre
Moreover, different kinds of books do super well in different places online. For instance, maybe a super cool fantasy book goes viral on TikTok with all its short, exciting videos. However, that same book might not get as much love on Facebook, where people often share longer posts and connect with friends and family.
Therefore, the best companies that help authors promote their books should change their plans depending on whether you wrote a fantasy adventure, a sweet romance story, or even a book full of facts, like non-fiction. But guess what? Lots of these companies might just use the same old plan for everyone! They won’t even tell you they’re doing that.
So, it’s really important to always ask them which online spots they know best for getting books noticed. You want to make sure they know how to reach the right readers for your specific type of book, right? Otherwise, it’s like trying to sell ice cream to someone who only wants hot chocolate.
8. We Charge Extra for The Good Stuff
The base package might look affordable, but surprise! Want influencer shoutouts? Podcast bookings? Targeted ads? Hence, that’s gonna cost extra, friend. So, make sure you know what you’re getting for your money and what’s behind the upsell paywall. Transparency is everything.
9. We Can’t Save a Boring Author Bio
Also, you might think your author bio is just a cute little paragraph. But nope, it’s a marketing tool. A boring, bland, lifeless author bio can kill your vibe instantly. So, even the best promotion company can’t do much with “Jane Doe is an author from Somewhere.” Spice it up, please!
10. Some Of Our Clients Don’t Get Any Traction
Lastly, here is a secret you need to know: So not every single book hits. Also, books sometimes receive no reader reviews at all. And also, the news and stuff don’t talk about them. Also, sometimes the authors don’t make that much money back, even if they spend money on ads.
Now, bear in mind that if your book doesn’t make it to the bestseller list, it isn’t necessarily something you did wrong. But it’s nice to know that your career can take a nosedive before you even embark on it. This way, you won’t be quite as sad or disappointed if things don’t go precisely according to plan.
Conclusion: Keep It Real & Ask Questions
There you have it, all the stuff the best book promotion company probably won’t tell you upfront. But knowledge is power, fam! Whether you’re self-published or trad-pubbed, don’t just hand over your cash and hope for magic. Be curious. Ask questions. And make sure your vibe with the team that’s supposed to be hyping your work.
