Most authors understand the importance of book marketing, but knowing and understanding how to market a memoir stumps many of us–me included.
My first book was a memoir. Yep, published in 2006, it is currently languishing somewhere at the bottom of the Amazon slush pile where other non-marketed books go to perish. Not that I mind. Rereading first books can be torture, and considering I was new to self-publishing and convinced I could do EVERYTHING myself, it’s probably best that it stays buried. (Note: Just in case you’re curious, I used a pen name so you’ll never find it. 🙂 Ha!)
Thankfully, I’ve learned a lot about the self-publishing industry and marketing over the last 20 years, and one thing is certain. Now more than ever, self-publishers can compete with traditional publishing houses for market share, but if you’re getting in the ring, you have to play by the rules if you want to win.
Just as with any game or sport, talent is not enough. Strategy is the key.
If you’ve taken the big leap into writing a memoir, congratulations! Writing about your life, especially being vulnerable, is tough. It’s not like writing fiction, where you can make up the story as you go along. Writing a memoir requires us to visit places in our past that we may not want to remember or uncover things about ourselves that we didn’t know. It can be a roller coaster ride of emotions, but also a great opportunity to offer a reader a different life perspective that can help them on their journey.
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Memoir marketing steps:
Step 1 – Find your people
So, you’ve written this fantastic memoir, but do you know who your audience is? Before diving into the marketing process, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of who wants to read your story.
Identifying the readers who will resonate with your experiences and emotions is the first step in creating an effective marketing strategy.
Start by considering your ideal reader.
Who are they? What do they do? What are their interests, values, and aspirations? What types of problems are they facing? Consider their age, gender, or cultural community? Who would find the most value in reading your story?
Understanding these key characteristics will help you say the right things when tailoring your message for promotional efforts.
A strong book marketing strategy starts with an in-depth understanding of your audience so you can bring the most value to the most people.
Step 2 – Build your profile as a writer
Did you know that a strong author platform is a vital component of successful memoir marketing?
Your author platform is essentially your online presence. It includes your website, social media profiles, and any other online channels where you engage with your audience. Building a compelling author platform allows you to showcase your authenticity, connect with readers, and establish yourself as an authority in your genre.
A lot of writers make the mistake of focusing solely on social media, not understanding that having an author website is a better long-term strategy.
Social media is great for getting in front of your ideal audience, but you’re still dependent on third-party algorithms and what they are willing to show your followers. These days, to get the most out of social media platforms, you often have to pay for ad space. This defeats the purpose of a platform designed to help people be social. Everyone doesn’t have the budget for ads, especially when you’re just starting out.
By having an author website and leading others to it, you have a better opportunity to:
- Cut down on all the third-party platform noise.
- Ensure that those who want to hear from you have direct access to your content.
- Have more control over the site’s “atmosphere.”
- Be more attuned to what your ideal readers want.
With an author website, you can work on building your email list, which is gold when it comes to marketing. Why? Because those who sign up for your email are letting you know they want to hear from you, and that’s a good sign.
With social media, you may gain a large following, but you’re competing for their attention and are less likely to receive engagement, especially if you don’t show up in their feed. On the other hand, when you send out a newsletter to your email list, it goes directly to their inbox, where they are more likely to open it.
Start by creating a professional website. It should feature an engaging author bio, information about your memoir, sample chapters, and links to purchase the book.
Keep the blog active by sharing personal anecdotes, writing tips, and behind-the-scenes insights. This adds value for your readers and helps build your credibility as a writer.
Having an active website is a big piece of your book marketing strategy, but I am not anti-social media. Alongside your website, it’s still important to establish a strong social media presence. Just make sure you prioritize your own platform over a third-party one that can change its algorithm without notice and negatively impact reader engagement.
Ultimately, you want to go where your audience hangs out, but having multiple social media platforms to balance, plus a website, can be stressful. My recommendation is to start with one social media platform that’s connected to your website. Once you get used to that platform, add another, but pace yourself. Find your rhythm by consistently engaging with your followers and offering them value in return for their attention.
Building a genuine and engaged following on social media that directs them to your website will enhance your visibility and increase the chances of connecting with potential readers.
Step 3 – Get readers excited
Unless you’re already a household name, there needs to be a compelling reason to get someone to read your memoir. This is where your book’s blurb and cover come in. They are the perfect opportunity to captivate potential readers and compel them to pick up your book.
So, how do you create an irresistible book blurb? The most riveting ones offer a balance of intrigue, emotional resonance, and a clear sense of what readers can expect. Start by distilling the essence of your memoir into a concise and compelling summary.
Highlight the key themes, the central conflict, and the emotional journey readers will embark on. Consider including snippets of praise or endorsements from notable figures or early reviewers to add credibility and build anticipation.
Equally important is designing an eye-catching book cover that conveys the essence of your memoir. Your cover should be visually appealing, professionally designed, and aligned with the genre and themes of your memoir.
Collaborating with a skilled graphic designer or working with a reputable cover design service can help you create a cover that stands out on the shelves or in the digital marketplace.
Step 4 – Use social media to your advantage
Everyone is on social media. Well, not everyone, but a large chunk of them. Take YouTube and Facebook, for example. In 2024, Pew Research reported that 83% of US adults surveyed said they’d used YouTube, and 68% used Facebook. That’s a lot of potential readers, not to mention other platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and BlueSky. Many people rely on social media to connect them to the world around them. As an author, using social media to build your audience is a smart strategy. Online platforms offer valuable opportunities to connect directly with readers and promote your memoir.
As I mentioned, an author website should be the top priority, and everything else, like social media, should be secondary. Gaining followers on social media is not the end goal of a successful author. Followers on your website that you can access directly are.
Here’s how to use social media in successful memoir book marketing:
- Engage authentically on social media by interacting with your audience. Respond to comments, share insights, and participate in relevant discussions. Build relationships with readers, fellow authors, and influencers in your genre.
- Leverage book communities and review sites: Engage with book bloggers, Instagram influencers, and online book clubs that cater to your target audience. Offer them advance copies of your memoir in exchange for honest reviews or a feature of your book in their recommendations.
- Offer valuable content: Share excerpts from your memoir, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, writing tips, or personal stories on your blog, social media platforms, or as guest contributions on relevant websites. By providing valuable content, you establish yourself as an authority and create intrigue around your memoir.
Step 5 – Network within the memoir world
The writing community can be a valuable source of support, advice, and collaboration. Building relationships with fellow writers, literary organizations, and industry professionals can open doors to new opportunities and expand your network. Consider these avenues for fostering connections:
1. Attend writing conferences and events. Participate in workshops, panels, and networking events within the writing community. Connect with authors, agents, and publishers who may be interested in your memoir or provide valuable insights into the publishing and marketing process.
2. Join writing groups and associations. Seek out writing groups, both online and in-person, where you can share experiences, receive feedback, and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Professional associations related to memoir writing can also offer resources, workshops, and networking opportunities.
3. Collaborate with other authors. Consider partnering with authors who write in similar genres or share common themes. You can cross-promote each other’s memoirs, participate in joint events or blog tours, or even collaborate on anthologies or shared projects.
Step 6 – Make the most of your memoir launch
“Launching your memoir is your chance to generate excitement, create momentum, and yell, “Hey! Read my memoir. It’s amazing!”
Plan a virtual or in-person launch event
Organize a launch event where you can share excerpts, engage with readers through Q&A sessions, and sign copies of your memoir. Consider partnering with local bookstores, libraries, or literary venues to host the event or explore virtual platforms for online launches.
Leverage pre-orders and early promotions
Encourage readers to pre-order your memoir by offering exclusive bonuses or limited-edition merchandise. Leverage email marketing and social media platforms to create a sense of urgency and excitement around early promotions.
Secure media coverage
Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, podcasts, and relevant online publications to pitch your memoir as a compelling story for interviews, reviews, or feature articles. Personalize your pitches to demonstrate how your memoir aligns with their audience’s interests.
Do you know how to market a memoir?
Marketing your memoir, like other books, is all about connecting with your ideal readers. Remember that the person who wants to read your book is real, just like you. They have preferences for what they want to spend their time reading. Time is valuable, so pinpoint those people who would benefit from reading your memoir and market to them.
Don’t try to market to everyone. This is a colossal waste of your time, energy, and resources, which are all limited. Instead, figure out where your ideal readers are hanging out and study them (not in a creepy way, of course), but as a marketer. What do they talk about? What are their struggles? Before leading them to your book, how can you support them in other ways? Can you answer their questions in a forum or share an experience that might be helpful? It’s worth it to build trust before you build your bottom line.
Selling your book is great, but the true gold comes from connecting with people on a deep, emotional level and sharing your personal journey.
Remember, marketing is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of engagement and adaptation. Follow this simple guide and be open to learning more, and most of all, enjoy the journey!
The original article written by Christoper Ortiz has been updated.
