As an author, you know how important it is to have a loyal fanbase for your work. 

But building that fanbase? That’s harder to figure out. 

How do you attract those passionate readers who will preorder your next release, hype your books on social media, and fall in love with your characters?

It’s all about engaging your (current and potential) readers. Sure, meeting your audience in person at a convention or book signing is great, but what if you don’t have many of those opportunities?

No worries — that’s where the internet comes in.

Create some fun, engaging online events for your audience! All it takes is a little bit of planning and creativity to boost reader engagement and build a loyal following.

So…what should these online experiences look like? We’ve got some suggestions for you.

#1: Share interactive book discussion guides

If the idea of a book discussion guide conjures memories of an awkward high school discussion about Shakespeare or the “introspective” section of a dusty self-help book from your parents, don’t worry. There’s nothing that says book discussion guides have to be boring or predictable.

In fact, it’s better if they’re not! Building an intriguing discussion guide for your book is all about balance. 

Intersperse some thought-provoking questions with fun, lighthearted ones. Give your readers the chance to dive deeper into the themes of your book and think about characters or plot points from a different perspective.

A book discussion guide can be a valuable tool for a book club, too. And if you make it a lead magnet freebie, it’s valuable to you as well — you’ll get more email addresses for your newsletter list!

#2: Host an online book club

Want to encourage more engagement with your online community? Host a book club!

Choose a book for each month and share it with your audience. Schedule regular online meetings where people can come to discuss their thoughts about the book.

If your books are already out in the world (traditionally or self-published), make sure to include them in the list of book club reads. But don’t limit it to just your own works! Consider books from author friends, books with similar tropes/genres/styles, or seasonal books!

Make a plan for your online discussion sessions so that everyone feels free to participate. Having a clearly defined structure is good — that way everyone knows what to expect and how to participate. Encourage (respectful) alternate viewpoints and allow for speculation on different endings or future books. 

Basically, just think about how you enjoy discussing books with your friends, and try to create that experience for your audience. 

#3: Design quizzes and polls

Who doesn’t love a good quiz? (There’s a reason Buzzfeed is still around!) People (especially readers) are naturally curious — we need to know which Pride & Prejudice character we are based on our favorite cocktail!

Use that curiosity to your advantage — make some quizzes and polls for your readers! The options for themes and questions are endless:

• Plot points within your book or series
• Details about your main (or side) characters
• A chance to guess the title of your next book

And don’t be afraid to do some fun quizzes too! 

Matching your characters to their coffee order, fitting them into a D&D alignment chart, comparing them to different types of cheese — readers appreciate fluffy content! And engaging with your readers in a lighthearted manner is an excellent way to build your author brand.

#4: Invite your readers to an online Q&A session

Readers love getting face time with their favorite authors! And you don’t have to wait until your next convention appearance — host an online meetup.

A Q&A session works especially well during the lead-up to a new release. This is your chance to get your audience hyped for your upcoming book and give them a chance to interact with you. 

A video-based session can be fun, and there are many different platforms you can use to host one. If you’re an introvert who’s not super comfortable in front of the camera, consider a text-based option instead, such as an “ask me anything” event on Reddit (or your favorite social media platform). 

#5: Issue a challenge

A book-related challenge, that is. “Games and trials” are popular for a reason — people love the thrill of competition. 

Give your readers the chance to participate in an exciting competition with low stakes and maybe even some fun prizes (bookmarks and stickers are great options!):

• Scavenger hunt: It’s a photo contest, but readers have to figure out what to snap using clues related to your books.
• Themed reading challenges: Create themed book lists for readers to follow during a specific time period. Think “5 Vacation Romances to Read by the Pool,” “Swashbuckling Pirate Books,” or “Dragons: Friend or Foe?” 
• Social media: Create some book-related challenges that encourage posting, commenting, sharing, and other forms of social media engagement. For example, you could create a romance tropes bingo card — readers could post photos of books they read for each square. Another option is a month-long Bookstagram/BookTok challenge with daily prompts, such as “currently reading,” “favorite cover,” or “best dedication.”

A little competition can work well for a challenge, but focus more on fun and accessibility. “Everyday” readers may not feel inclined to participate in a challenge that requires serious photography skills or access to limited edition hardcovers, props, and accessories. 

Social media book marketing doesn’t have to suck

Unless that’s what you’re into. 🧛

Seriously, though — we know how challenging it can be to build and execute a social media marketing strategy for your book.

You’re trying to keep up with the latest trends and build an authentic presence without spending hours each week editing TikTok videos or trying 50 different Instagram captions.

That’s where we come in. Our One Bed Inn service is designed to change your relationship with book marketing (for the better). You’ll get a comprehensive marketing strategy for a full quarter — the perfect amount of time to solidify your author brand, launch your new title, or build up that loyal fanbase.

We’ll start with a strategy call where you can tell us all about your book and goal. Then, our team of book marketing experts will get to work! 

In no time, you’ll have a complete content plan with prompts and outlines to promote your book via blogs, email newsletters, and social media.  It’s all the guidance and support you need to effectively build your fanbase and market your books.

Think of it as the turning point — all the angst and frustration finally morph into fiery passion. Yeah, we can get you there!