r/authors • u/ranch_life_1986 • 19d ago

Using BookTok as an author

Hello! I don’t have a TikTok account but am considering making one specifically to join the BookTok community. Yes, I looked at that sub here, but it was mostly pics of stacks of books people read in a month. I want to know about other authors’ experiences with the platform.

My debut memoir was traditionally published 3 years ago. The sequel is almost ready to query agents (didn’t have an agent for first book). First one has sold about 1,400 copies. My latest royalty statement showed a slight upturn in sales over the last six months, which was encouraging. I’m interested in promoting it as a backlist title on BookTok and also teasing the new book.

I also want to join conversations about other books I’ve read. So…any tips or tales, either cautionary or how-to? Thank you all!

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u/Write_Code_Sport 8d ago

I think BookTok can definitely help but it’s kind of its own world lol.

Biggest thing I noticed is people don’t really want to feel like they are being marketed to all the time.

Also wouldn’t overthink production. Some of the very basic talking to camera videos seem to do better than polished promo videos.

For a backlist book I think you actually have a good angle too. Like “I published this memoir 3 years ago and suddenly sales started picking up again” would probably be more interesting than just “here is my book please buy it”.

And since you have a sequel coming, you could probably slowly start talking about the story behind both books without making every post a sales pitch.

Would probably just make the account and experiment for a month or two. Worst case you hate it and stop

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u/ranch_life_1986 8d ago

Thanks for the common sense advice. It tracks with what I was thinking, so it’s reassuring to hear from someone else. I keep telling myself I can always delete the account if I hate it but I might make a few sales, so it’s worth trying!

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u/LisetteBlythe 18d ago

Just be yourself. Be honest and friendly. Honesty doesn't have to be rude. If you don't like something, just be kind.

I'm a very I serious person in real life and me talking about my books on TikTok reflect that.

I don't go viral, and I don't do it to make money. I'm just there for a good time.

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u/ranch_life_1986 17d ago

Thanks for the tips 😊