What if I told you that bestselling authors aren’t always the best writers? Sometimes their books are just okay, or they’ve hired a talented ghostwriter. What they excel at, however, is marketing. Behind every chart-topping book lies a set of powerful, proven strategies. These aren’t just random hacks—they’re the insider tactics that bestselling authors use to dominate the charts.
If you’re ready to uncover these secrets of bestselling authors, stick around. Here are five key strategies you can use to boost your book sales and even become a bestseller on Amazon.
Rather watch the video? Here you go!
Table of Contents
1. Invest Time in Prelaunch
The most successful authors dedicate substantial time to prelaunch activities. One of the best examples comes from Vanessa Van Edwards, a bestselling author and speaker. She spent an entire year promoting her book before its release, focusing solely on building momentum for her launch.
What She Did:
- Booked speaking engagements where event organizers pre-ordered her book in bulk.
- Recorded podcast episodes and coordinated their release around her launch date.
- Created content for social media, her newsletter, and other channels months in advance.
- Scheduled press tours and book tours to maximize visibility.
This intense prelaunch effort ensured her book gained maximum exposure.
How You Can Apply This:
- Start your prelaunch early—ideally six to twelve months before your book’s release.
- Focus on securing media coverage, podcast interviews, and speaking gigs.
- Plan your marketing calendar to orchestrate all promotions for launch week.
While it’s not feasible for everyone to devote a year to prelaunch, even a few months of focused effort can significantly impact your book’s performance.
2. Build Your Audience
An engaged audience is the cornerstone of any successful book launch. Bestselling authors like Kathy Joseph (The Lightning Tamers) and Nick Hutchison (Rise of the Reader) had built large, loyal followings before launching their books.
Why This Works:
Your audience acts as your built-in sales force. They’re the ones who buy your book, post reviews, and spread the word.
What If You Don’t Have a Large Following?
You don’t need a massive audience to succeed. Gillian Goerzen (The Elephant in the Gym) launched her book with a newsletter list of just 1,000 subscribers. The key was that her audience was highly engaged and excited about her work.
How to Build Your Audience:
- Create a High-Value Opt-In Offer
Example: A free workbook, checklist, or exclusive chapter. Check out our Seven Steps to Write a Book That Is Set Up to Sell for inspiration. - Leverage Social Media
Share valuable content consistently to attract followers who are interested in your niche. - Collaborate
Partner with other authors or influencers to cross-promote your opt-in offer.
Start small, but start now. Building an audience takes time, so don’t wait until your book is done to begin.
3. Leverage Other People’s Audiences
In the author world, we call this OPA: Other People’s Audiences. This strategy can catapult your book to bestseller status if done right.
A Real-Life Example
When Julie Broad’s book, More Than Cashflow, became a #1 print bestseller on Amazon, it wasn’t her audience that made it happen. A real estate company with an email list of 40,000 subscribers promoted her book to their audience, and the results were incredible.
How to Use OPA:
- Identify influencers, organizations, or brands whose audience aligns with your book.
- Reach out and propose mutually beneficial collaborations, such as guest blogs, webinars, or exclusive content.
- Build relationships well before your launch, so they’re invested in your success.
4. Be Everywhere
Bestselling authors make it seem like they’re everywhere during their launch. While it’s exhausting, this visibility creates momentum that drives sales.
What This Looks Like:
- Appearing on podcasts (big and small).
- Writing guest articles for blogs and publications in your niche.
- Participating in webinars, panels, or virtual events.
- Actively posting on social media and engaging with followers.
Why Smaller Opportunities Matter:
While major platforms are great, don’t underestimate smaller podcasts or events. They often lead to niche audiences that are more likely to engage with and buy your book.
5. Build a Strong Team
Behind every bestselling author, there’s a team of experts. From marketing strategists to PR agencies, these professionals amplify the author’s efforts and ensure the book gets noticed.
Who You Need on Your Team:
- Marketing Strategist: Someone to craft your launch plan and oversee execution.
- Social Media Manager: To keep your channels active and engaging.
- PR Specialist: To secure media coverage, podcast interviews, and speaking gigs.
- Ads Expert: To run targeted campaigns on Amazon, Facebook, or Google.
At Book Launchers, we provide many of these services, helping authors achieve their goals with a team of seasoned experts. If you’re ready to take your book to the next level, contact us to see how we can help.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a bestseller on Amazon or elsewhere isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. By focusing on prelaunch efforts, building your audience, leveraging others’ platforms, saying yes to opportunities, and enlisting the right support, you can position your book for success.
Remember, these secrets of bestselling authors aren’t magical—they’re actionable steps you can take. Start today, stay consistent, and watch your book gain the recognition it deserves.
If you’re ready to start building your strategy, Book Launchers is here to help. Apply today for a free consultation, and let’s make your book launch a success!
