Digital Marketing for Publishing Companies
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Publishing holds the profound ability to connect stories and knowledge with readers, solidifying its status as one of the most culturally significant industries throughout history.
The “Big Five” publishing companies, potentially shrinking to the Big Four if Hachette Book Group acquires Macmillan Publishers, wield considerable influence in the $25.7 billion industry. However, smaller publishers and self-published authors can also achieve success in publishing. A robust digital marketing strategy is crucial for standing out amidst the millions of books published annually.
Marketing your publishing company ensures that the stories told by you and your authors reach the audiences who will benefit from them the most.
5 Digital Marketing Strategies for Publishing Companies
Book publishing has faced challenges due to the rise of digital media, but from 2020-2021, the industry experienced exponential growth, partly because people purchased more books during the COVID-19 pandemic as a healthy way to stay busy.
Though the numbers steadied throughout 2022, people remain passionate about reading. Your publishing company can use the following digital marketing strategies to help your books and authors connect with audiences, whether they seek escapism, self-improvement, historical knowledge, or insights into societal issues.
1. Make use of social media
People have long shared their reading experiences on Instagram and YouTube—referred to as "Bookstagram" and "BookTube" by the community—but where book content is currently thriving is on TikTok, known as "BookTok."
Both new and established authors have benefited from the rise of book recommendations on TikTok, including Emily Henry. Henry’s romance novel, Beach Read—first published in 2020—catapulted to widespread popularity after gaining traction on the platform. It topped bestseller lists throughout 2021, drawing in a new audience. Retail chains like Waterstones have responded to the popularity of BookTok by creating dedicated BookTok displays showcasing the platform’s trending picks and encouraging staff to share their favorite recommendations online.
Here are some ideas for marketing books on social media platforms like TikTok:
- Advertising Tropes: Highlight beloved tropes present in your books, especially in genres like romance where tropes such as meet-cutes and second-chance love are popular. Use social media platforms to target readers who enjoy these tropes and encourage them to engage with your books.
- Encouraging Author Interaction: Foster author-reader engagement by promoting author activities on their personal social media accounts. For instance, encourage authors to interact with followers by discussing fan-casting of characters or sharing writing tips. This personal connection can entice readers to explore new books.
- Employee Recommendations: Utilize the expertise of your team by featuring employee book recommendations on your social media channels. Consider running challenges where employees share their favorite books published by your company. This not only showcases diverse reading choices but also builds credibility and trust among your audience.
- Enlisting Influencers: Collaborate with influencers, especially those from platforms like BookTok, to amplify your book marketing efforts. Influencers can create content recommending your books to their followers, comparing them to similar reads, or posting reviews that encourage their audience to check out your titles. Leveraging influencer partnerships can accelerate the spread of word-of-mouth recommendations across social media.
2. Create an Email Newsletter
Emails provide a valuable opportunity to engage with potential readers. Here are various types of content you can share in your emails:
- Genre Recommendations: Upon subscription, ask new subscribers about their favorite genres. Send personalized monthly "wrap-ups" featuring recommended books in their preferred genre. Include basic plot summaries and links for easy purchase.
- New Releases: Use emails to announce new and upcoming book releases. Encourage subscribers to sign up for email updates, promising them exclusive access to information about new and notable releases. This builds anticipation and encourages early purchases.
- Sales and Promotions: Offer exclusive deals and promotions to email subscribers. Send out special discount codes for free shipping, early access to new releases, or exclusive editions of books. This rewards subscriber loyalty and incentivizes purchases.
3. Develop a Podcast
Many enjoy listening to podcasts while running errands, working out, going on walks, or cleaning. By listening to podcasts, readers can learn more about their favorite books and authors, get recommendations, and gain knowledge about the industry. Types of episodes you could produce include:
- Author interviews
- Monthly industry news updates
- Deep dives into book themes
4. Enhance Company and Author Website Design
Usability is crucial for all business websites, including those for publishing companies and affiliated author sites. It's essential that these websites are easy to navigate, load quickly, and are mobile-friendly to provide the best user experience.
For author websites, maintaining consistency with their personal style and brand is key. This ensures that visitors recognize and connect with the author's identity and works.
Well-designed and user-friendly websites enhance the viewer's experience, encouraging them to explore content further and spend more time on the site. This, in turn, can lead to increased engagement and loyalty from visitors.
5. Boost Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The success and growth of your publishing company heavily rely on effective SEO strategies. SEO, or search engine optimization, involves enhancing your website and online visibility to achieve higher rankings in relevant search results. In a competitive landscape that includes giants like Amazon, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins, mastering SEO is essential for standing out.
Effective SEO strategies for publishers include:
- Determining Your Keywords: Conduct thorough keyword research to understand the language your audience uses when searching for new books. Choose keywords that align with your audience's search intent and incorporate them naturally throughout your website pages. Avoid keyword stuffing, as it can negatively impact your rankings.
- Creating Engaging Content: Develop high-quality content that showcases your expertise in the publishing industry. This content should be valuable, informative, and engaging for your audience. Consider blog posts, author interviews, book reviews, and industry news updates to attract and retain visitors.
- Linking to Other Pages: Utilize internal linking to connect relevant pages across your website. Linking old pages to new content and vice versa helps users navigate your site effectively and improves the overall user experience. Additionally, it helps search engines crawl and understand your website structure, potentially boosting your rankings.
- Tracking Your Progress: Monitor and analyze your SEO efforts using tools like Google Analytics. Track key metrics such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, bounce rates, and conversions. This data provides insights into what strategies are working well and where improvements can be made to enhance your SEO performance over time.
Start Internet Marketing Your Publishing Company with MacroHype
Our MacroHype team is well-versed in all aspects of digital marketing, ranging from crafting effective social media strategies to executing comprehensive SEO campaigns. Whether you're aiming to establish a strong presence alongside major publishers and industry giants like Amazon, we're here to assist you.
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