If you’re an author wondering whether self-publishing is worth it in 2026, the answer is a resounding “yes”. Not only are there more resources in the industry, but there are also plenty of ways to promote your book without the need for an expert or a hefty marketing budget.
Whether you’re just brainstorming your next title or set to start your promotional campaign, here are the 7 key tips to market your self-published book in 2026.
How to Effectively Promote Self-Published Books
Finding self-publishing success is all about investing in the right strategies and staying consistent. So, if you’re looking to build better connections with your readers, here’s how you can start:
- Build your brand identity
Similar to traditional businesses, self-published authors can achieve better and longer-lasting success by investing in their brand identity. That doesn’t necessarily mean finding a niche and sticking with it forever, but instead finding a unique voice and style that can help you stand out in the market.
Some book covers, for instance, have a style that makes them easily associated with specific authors. Fortunately, making your books visually cohesive and unique is now much easier with the help of book cover templates that you can easily customize.
- Join the right platforms
In the self-publishing industry, authors need to actively seek out an audience by joining the right platforms. Whether it’s sharing writing tips on TikTok, posting BTS photos on Facebook, or using Instagram post templates for an eye-catching feed, social media is one of the most user-friendly and effective avenues for promoting your self-published title.
- Engage with your audience
Promoting your self-published book doesn’t stop once you’ve amassed a large following. In fact, it’s all about maintaining your brand by consistently engaging with your readers online.
After all, not having the resources of a traditional publishing house means that you need to make the extra effort to build a loyal audience. Even if it’s just simple acts like replying to comments or having regular Q&A sessions, engaging with your readers helps build a sense of community.
- Optimize your website
One of the best ways to boost your credibility among readers is by having an official website. Some might argue that digital marketing is mostly about social media, but having an official website provides a professional space where you can note essential information and important updates.
Not only that, but having an official website is also a great avenue for posting regular blogs that can keep your audience updated and engaged with your content.
- Join book events
Whether it’s a simple webinar, book club, or in-person book talk, joining book events is an effective way to find more readers and build connections in the publishing industry.
Some examples of book events to consider attending include:
- Author panel discussions
- TikTok live Q&As
- Book podcasts
- Book launch parties
- Library talks
- Share reader reviews
If you’re just starting in the self-publishing industry, collecting reader reviews is an effective way to engage with audiences and boost your credibility in the process. Not only that, but it’s also a great way to support your brand as an author.
- Analyze your promotional campaign
Different authors will have different goals for their self-published titles. Some might be running a campaign to increase their social media followers, while others might be aiming to get more engagement.
Regardless, analyzing and reviewing your campaign using a social media management tool like PosterMyWall is an effective way to distinguish which strategies work from those that don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a website to promote my self-published book?
Aside from social media, having an official website is a worthwhile investment for maximizing your digital marketing strategy. It allows you rank higher on search engine results, which can help more readers find out about your self-published books.
If you’re planning to hold a book signing event for your latest title, it also helps to create a customized event landing page, which you can make using tools like PosterMyWall.
Is it necessary to invest in paid ads to promote my book?
If you have the extra budget to spare, investing in paid ads on search engines and social media can be a more targeted way to reach an audience. With paid ads, you can easily track and monitor your engagement to gauge which types of content work best.
That being said, paid ads are definitely not a requirement and are simply a good supplement to maximizing your online marketing efforts.
Is blogging an effective way to promote self-published books?
Blogging is a highly effective way to promote self-published books because it encourages authors to build their brand and better connect with their readers online. Not only that, but blogging is also a great way to boost SEO efforts for increased online visibility.
Set to Become a Bestseller?
While you may not have the resources and connections that come with traditional publishing, self-publishing a book can be one of the most fulfilling and worthwhile experiences in an author’s career.
By focusing on creating valuable content and maintaining a consistent approach, you can enhance your book’s visibility online and reach a wider audience of readers.
