Do you want to sell more books this holiday season? In this post you’ll learn 9 Black Friday book marketing ideas you can apply right away.
Choose at least one and then start preparing for your Black Friday sales this year.
This post is part of our Expert Edition Series and features 9 different expert contributors.
Now let’s dive it!
9 Black Friday Book Marketing Ideas
Idea #1: Create a Festive Quote Photo
by Heather Hart
Have you or one of your characters said something seasonal? Add it to a holiday graphic and share it around the web (be sure to include a link to your book or website).
Idea #2: Schedule Holiday Book Signings Now
The holidays are right around the corner, and this is when bookstores are their busiest. I schedule book signings at bookstores from Black Friday to New Year.
Last year, I sold $500 worth of books in a couple of hours at Barnes & Noble the week before Christmas. So contact your local retailer and request to schedule a book signing during this timeframe.
Listen to Susan’s interview on our podcast all about how to set up a holiday book signing event here.
Idea #3: Clean Out and Freshen Up
by Kim Steadman
Besides the obvious lowering of your book prices, this idea includes a little extra planning. How about selling physical copies you have on hand? Many times we have an extra stock of our physical books from our author list left over from events sitting on our shelves. Take stock of your books and consider which books you could put together as a bundle.
Are there similar themes or topics you could bundle together as a gift set? Could you add some goodies to make it a special gift?
For instance your non-fiction book paired with a journal, a pen and a couple packets of tea. Your fiction book could be packaged with a book marker and some tea packets. Remember to package it pretty for the holidays, and take some pretty pictures.
Your readers and customers will appreciate having some ready to go gifts! Don’t forget to sign the inside of your books as well!
For your digital books consider reducing them to free or $.99. But, before you do that, freshen up your back matter! This is especially helpful if you’ve published more books and now have a longer back list of published books.
Idea #4: Selling Bundles to Stand Out
Case Study with Jennifer Waddle
As Kim mentioned, something we recommend is to consider putting together a print book bundle to sell to your audience. Your bundle can include a print copy of your book as well as other items that go along with your topic or something your audience would enjoy. This is a great option if you already have extra books on hand that you want to sell.
For example, one of our Christian Book Academy members, Jennifer Waddle, took our suggestion and created a print book bundle for Mother’s Day. Her bundle consistently sells out each year. You can learn more about her results here.
You may want to consider a bundle like this for holidays like Black Friday or Christmas. Get creative and find ways to serve your audience in an even greater way.
Idea #5: Combine Books or Products into a Bundle
I used to think I had nothing to offer for Black Friday sales. However, as I took a closer look at what other authors were offering, I realized I was making it more complicated than it needs to be.
Last year I didn’t have time or energy to create a sales funnel. Instead, I created a bundle that included my book, Write: From Book Idea to First Draft in 30 Days along with a coaching session.
I usually sell my book for $20 and I offer a free strategy session to people who haven’t spoken with me before. I priced the bundle at $20 and sent the offer out by email and on my social media accounts. I made some sales and ended up with one coaching client after the free sessions.
Idea #6: Drop the Price, Up the Contact
Black Friday is a time of sales of all the goodies we love to buy. Cyber Monday is when the deals go more crazy online. Either way, you can take advantage of this time by dropping your price and being contact heavy.
On the day of, consider dropping your price down significantly and then sending out at least two or three emails that day, text messages to friends with your book link, as well as blasting on all social media.
Post with the key results your reader will gain from your book. For example:
- Are you (insert your target market) who wants to (share the biggest payoff for applying your book’s content)? Today you can buy my audible book or paperback for 50% off! Share with friends to do a book study and kick off the year with great (Include the benefit from your book).
- Example: Are you a Jesus lover who want to finally stop worrying about weight, being a slave to junk foods, and feel confident in your body? Today you can buy my audible book or paperback for only for 50% off! Share with friends to do a book study and kick off the year with great health! Happy Marketing, J Harris, Author of The Chubby Church book series
Idea #7: Build Buzz for Your Book and Upcoming Sales
by Kent Sanders
In addition to all the standard ways of marketing a book, I enjoy doing things that indirectly feature my book. One of my favorite methods is to feature people or tools/resources that helped me create the book, then feature those items in social media posts or newsletters where I also mention the book.
You can do this any time of the year but consider sharing a post like this leading up to Black Friday to build buzz for your book and any sales you may have coming up. It reminds your audience that you have a book and builds awareness.
For example, I wrote a good chunk of my last book “18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most” in a local favorite coffee shop. When the book released, I took a picture of me giving a copy to the coffee shop’s owner. Then I made a social media post thanking him for a great setting to write.
The focus of the post was the coffee shop owner, but the book was also featured.
You can do the same kind of post or mention for any person, location, app, tool, or resource that played a part in helping you write the book. The key is to make it honest and sincere.
Idea #8: Using Amazon’s Free Book Promo Effectively
Amazon has given many authors the ability to launch their careers without the approval of traditional publishers. One of their most effective tools is the KDP free book promo.
Readers get a chance to try out an unknown author first before investing their funds. Everyone likes free books and many of us have taken advantage of an author’s use of it.
However, when using Amazon’s free book promo, be strategic.
If you have one title, consider making the book free for a limited time, not the full five days given. Limit it to one or two days. Utilize language such as, “Black Friday Special” “Limited Time” “Today only” to show the urgency in why they want to get your book now today.
If you have a series, consider making the first book available for free to generate interest. Some suggestions for verbiage are, “Get the first book of this thrilling adventure series for free for a limited time.” Chances are that your writing skills will lead the reader to want more. There will always be those who won’t invest after the first freebie period, but others will.
Happy marketing!
Idea #9: Create a Black Friday Round Up Post or Email
by Shelley Hitz
Another Black Friday book marketing idea and one way you can share about your book during the holidays is to create a round up post and/or email. You become a curator of resources for your target audience for this year’s Black Friday deals. You can still offer a discount or special bonuses with the sale of your book but you’ll include it in a list of other sales your potential readers may also be interested in.
You can include other products besides books in your list that you know your audience would love. They can be Black Friday sales this year on Amazon, Etsy finds, and other products.
Then, let those you featured know about the post so they can share it as well. When you share on social media make sure to tag them. This is a simple way to promote your book and boost your sales without feeling pushy or salesy and utilizing collaborations at the same time.
If you are having your own Black Friday sale, I recommend layering this post and/or email into the promotions you are already planning. It’s another way to serve and help your audience as well. Truly a win-win-win.
Resources to Help You Sell More Books This Holiday Season
We hope these 9 Black Friday book marketing ideas were helpful to you. Here are some additional resources that can help you save time as you’re planning your holiday marketing campaigns.
Holiday Marketing book: by Heather Hart: Increase your book sales this Christmas.
Black Friday Promo Graphics: Download a Canva template with 3 different designs and 3 different sizes for your next Black Friday sale. You can use this for Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales or any of your marketing efforts.
Holiday Book Marketing Toolkit: Save time and decrease your stress during the holidays with our easy-to-use templates for social media and email marketing.
Holiday Book Sales Strategies Workshop: Discover several specific marketing strategies you can use to sell more books during this season. Make your holiday content creation fun and easy!
Book Promotion Email Templates: Save time and decrease your stress during your upcoming book promotions with our easy-to-use templates.
Canva Gift-Giving Guide Template: Stand out throughout the holiday season by organizing a Christmas catalog to showcase your book, inspire gift-seeking prospects, and increase sales!
Pro Tip: You can also create a collaborative gift guide – team up with other authors and enjoy the power of a group promotion where everyone shares the final PDF with their audience.
Share Your Takeaways and Black Friday Book Marketing Ideas
What idea will you implement for a Black Friday sale or upcoming promotion? What other Black Friday book marketing ideas do you have? Share them in a comment below.
If you found this post helpful about Black Friday book marketing ideas, take a moment to share it with your author friends!
Shelley, what a fun post! Thanks for the opportunity to include some thoughts alongside the fantastic ideas other authors shared here also!
Yes, loved all the great ideas shared. Thank you for being a part of it and sharing your experience.
Thanks Shelley! I have been planning a ‘Black Friday’ sale and using the Holiday Marketing module for ideas. I like the idea of physical book bundles. Maybe I could bundle the paperback books with a homemade Christmas card for the customer to use, especially in this one shop where I sell my cards year-round.
Heidi – you’re very welcome! I think that sounds like a great idea. The good thing is you can test out any ideas you have this year and always adapt what you offer when you see what your audience responds to. Also make sure to check out the podcast where Jennifer Waddle shared her physical book bundle case study linked above.
These are very helpful suggestions. I am currently working on a bundle. Since my book is about my journal journey of faith, I will also include a journal, pen bookmark and faith bracelet since I also design jewelry.
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! So glad you find it helpful. -Stacy, Community Care Team
Great ideas. Gives me lots to think about. I already have a bundle prepared and you’ve given many tips to implement for Christmas shopping and Black Friday. Thanks!!
Great! So glad you found it helpful Shirley.