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This Little Piggy Went to Market

Posted on: 31 July 2025

Writers need to view themselves as being in business. Anyone who writes a book must also be prepared to tell the world that their book exists.  There is no point in being a hobby writer unless you intend to remain that way and self-publish as an achievement for yourself and no one else.  Of course, if you are lucky enough to find a traditional publisher, they will do most of the work for you, but not for everything.  There will always be an element of self-marketing in one way or another.

I don’t think you can truly call yourself an author unless you’re prepared to market your novel. It’s something to consider from the very first chapter. Many people don’t read books at all, as I learned last week, which is unfortunate, but it’s their choice. If you’re attending a book signing at the local craft market, engage with potential customers by asking about their favourite genre or what they’re currently reading. Look for something they are wearing/carrying to compliment them on. Dogs are always a great conversation starter—if someone has a dog, tell them how much you love their Jack Russell. Don’t just sit there and expect customers to approach you—they won’t! The key is to engage the customer. Don’t be shy! Gifts are helpful too.  I was outside last week with my novels, and I had phials of bubbles left over from my son’s wedding (instead of confetti). I asked the parents before handing them out.  Other kids wanted to know where to get them, and they brought their parents to chat to me.  It’s also essential that you have business cards.  Vistaprint or Canva can be helpful here.  I am using a QR code on mine.  I tell them they can find my website there if they scan the code with their camera.  Many people are still learning about these things.  The other piece of ‘techy’ equipment that helps to sell books is a card reader.  Not many people carry cash these days. I have sold twice as many books through using this, and it works a treat outside and in a public building.

If I were starting over, writing my first book, I would set an hour a week aside to learn about marketing and turn that information into what would suit me best.  Do you have the time to market and show a presence on social media?  I feel the answer has to be yes.  If not, you should make time.  You must be committed to doing a lot of the additional work that will occur as a by-product of your writing.

Self-published authors often hesitate to establish a media presence. It’s essential to let the world know you exist. Make a list of places for book signings, talks, and social media promotion. Follow through by sending emails to venues to request events. I like to keep a physical diary instead of relying on my phone.

Should I hire a professional book marketing company? As you gain experience, you’ll likely learn a lot about marketing. However, I’ve been thinking about it lately. Marketing can become more of a chore as you get older, and I’d prefer to focus on writing and expanding my book list and let someone else help me move my book into the limelight.  If you have a traditional publisher, they usually handle most of the advertising at this stage. Ultimately, it depends on the path you’ve chosen. The key seems to be finding a balance between your passion for storytelling and the practical need to gain media attention. It also comes down to cost. Writers aren’t known for making a lot of money, so hiring a professional marketing company is a calculated risk, betting on their ability to help boost sales. Ensure that if you go down this path, you choose a reputable company.  As they say, the cheapest isn’t always the best and you have to sure it will boost sales enough to pay for the service.

Whatever you choose, don’t finish writing your story before thinking about how to share it on social media—grow and learn as you write.    Plan your strategy and start afresh. It is best to read all about it well in advance.

In the year of my first novel, I sold 2000 books.  I try to write  so I can spend a holiday in the setting of the story.   My upcoming novel, The Trail to Freedom, takes place across various settings, giving me the exciting opportunity to host numerous book events both in the UK and internationally.

I wish you every success with your novel.  Don’t forget, if you need help, send me an email.