Are you looking for an easier way to advertise your book on platforms like Facebook and Google? IngramSpark’s new Ingram iD program might be the tool you’ve been waiting for. This service aims to simplify advertising for authors while giving access to verified reader audiences, offering unique features to help sell your book.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into what Ingram iD is, how it works, and whether it’s the right choice for your marketing strategy.
Rather watch the video? Here you go!
Table of Contents
What Is Ingram iD?
Ingram iD is a new tool from IngramSpark designed to help authors advertise their books on platforms like Facebook, Google Search, and Google Display. It also allows authors to create email flyers targeting verified reader audiences.
Here’s what makes Ingram iD stand out:
- Access to Ingram’s Verified Reader Audiences, which is exclusive to the program.
- A simplified ad creation process tailored to authors.
- Additional options like targeted email campaigns through Ingram’s partnerships with Bookfinity and Infinite Books.
Setting Up an Ingram iD Account
To use the service, you’ll need to create an Ingram iD account (separate from your IngramSpark login). Once set up, adding your book and creating campaigns is straightforward.
I tested the program by setting up a Facebook ad campaign. Since I already have active Google Ads running, I decided to explore how Ingram iD handles Facebook advertising—a platform that’s notoriously tricky to navigate.
Facebook Ads with Ingram iD
If you’ve struggled with setting up Facebook ads for your book, Ingram iD simplifies the process. According to IngramSpark, their Facebook service helps you target verified reader audiences for your genre.
The setup process allows you to:
- Use your book cover as the primary ad image or upload custom visuals.
- Create compelling ad headlines that hook potential readers.
- Target specific audiences interested in books similar to yours.
While the process is simpler than managing Facebook ads directly, it’s worth noting that you’ll need to prepay for the campaign. Additionally, Ingram iD takes a cut of the ad spend as part of their service fee, which means it’s more cost-effective to run ads directly through Facebook. However, the convenience and access to verified audiences could be worth the extra cost.
Google Ads: Search vs. Display
Ingram iD offers both Google Search and Google Display advertising options:
- Search Ads: These are triggered by specific keywords people search for, making them a form of “pull advertising.” They’re great for reaching readers actively looking for books like yours.
- Display Ads: These are visual ads shown across Google’s network of websites based on targeting parameters like interests or demographics. Display ads are a “push advertising” strategy, exposing your book to a broader audience.
Both options are available through Ingram iD, making it a versatile tool for Google advertising.
Dedicated Email Campaigns
One of Ingram iD’s standout features is its dedicated email campaigns. These campaigns target readers via Bookfinity, a book discovery platform with over 1 million users, and Infinite Books.
However, there’s a catch: currently, these email campaigns are only available for women’s fiction, thrillers, suspense, poetry, and romance genres. Nonfiction authors will need to wait for expanded offerings or explore other options.
Email campaigns start at $1,250, so it’s crucial to have a clear sales strategy to maximize the return on this investment. For example, fiction authors could use these campaigns to hook readers on the first book of a series, driving backend sales for subsequent titles.
Tips for Using Ingram iD
- Choose Your Ad Destination Wisely: Avoid running ads that direct readers to Amazon. While Amazon is great for visibility, you won’t collect valuable contact data or know if your ads are working. Instead, direct ads to your own website or use Ingram’s Share and Sell link (though this also limits data collection).
- Create Compelling Ads: Use eye-catching visuals and a strong headline. Think about the “hook” of your book—why should someone buy it today?
- Track Results: While Ingram iD provides data on impressions and click-through rates, it lacks advanced conversion tracking. If you’re accustomed to robust metrics (e.g., through tools like Hyros), the limited tracking may feel restrictive.
- Test Browsers: If you experience issues during setup, try switching browsers. In my case, moving from Firefox to Google Chrome resolved all technical hiccups.
Pros and Cons of Ingram iD
Pros:
- Simplifies the ad creation process.
- Access to verified reader audiences.
- Multiple ad options (Facebook, Google Search, Google Display, email campaigns).
Cons:
- Limited tracking data compared to running ads directly.
- Higher cost due to Ingram iD’s service fee.
- Some features (like email campaigns) are genre-restricted.
Final Thoughts
Ingram iD is a promising tool for authors looking to advertise their books without the steep learning curve of managing ads directly on Facebook or Google. While it may not offer the depth of data tracking or flexibility that ad-savvy authors need, it’s an excellent option for beginners or those seeking convenience.
For nonfiction authors, keep an eye on Ingram iD’s email campaign expansion. And if you’re looking for more control and lower costs, running ads directly through platforms like Facebook or Google might be a better fit.
Thank you for reading! If you’re ready to take the next step with your non-fiction book—whether it’s writing, editing, publishing, or promoting—we’re here to help. Explore our expert services and join a thriving community of over 60,000 subscribers at Booklaunchers.tv! Let’s work together to make your book a success.
