How to Gain Trust and Sell More Books as a New (or Experienced!) Author
Want to sell more books and build a loyal fanbase? It all starts with trust. Readers aren’t just buying a story; they’re investing in an experience. As authors, we need to show them they can rely on us to deliver.
Why Trust Matters: The Foundation of Long-Term Book Sales
Readers Buy Experiences, Not Just Books
Think about your favorite movies. Have you ever watched something like Greenland and then spent ages searching for something with a similar vibe? You’re chasing that same emotional high, right? Bonnie, from Finding Your Indie, loves the Quiet Place series because each movie delivers the same consistent feel. That’s trust in action.
When an author—or a filmmaker—builds a consistent brand, you know what you’re going to get. You trust that the next book or movie will give you the emotional return you’re looking for. And that trust? That’s priceless.
Trust Leads to Repeat Buyers, Word-of-Mouth, and Loyal Fans
Loyal fans are gold. They’re the ones who buy every book, leave glowing reviews, and tell all their friends. They become your street team, spreading the word and building your audience organically. To them, you’re not just another author, you’re a trusted source of entertainment.
Breaking Trust: The Unfinished Series Example
Ever start a series, get hooked, and then…nothing? The author disappears, leaving you hanging? Bonnie admits she’s done this. Putting out two books in a five-book series and then failing to deliver is a sure way to lose readers’ trust. It leaves them feeling betrayed and hesitant to invest in your future work.
While fixing broken trust is a topic for another day, the key takeaway is simple: don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Creating a Strong First Impression: Look Legit!
Why First Impressions Matter
In the crowded book market, first impressions are everything. If your book looks unprofessional, readers will assume the writing is too. Looking “legit” is the first step to gaining a reader’s trust.
Elements of a Strong First Impression
Professional Book Covers
Let’s be honest: readers do judge a book by its cover. A poorly designed cover screams “amateur,” while a professional one invites readers in. It communicates that you care about your work and that you’re invested in delivering a quality product.
Do you have a “before and after” example of book covers? Seeing a bad cover alongside a good cover can be an eye-opening experience.
Compelling and Error-Free Blurbs
Your book description is your sales pitch. Typos, grammatical errors, and confusing language will send readers running. Make sure your blurb is well-written, engaging, and accurately reflects the content of your book.
Action Step
Invest in a high-quality cover and a typo-free book description. It’s that simple. If you’re not a designer or editor, hire professionals. It’s an investment in your career.
Building Your Online Presence: Your Author Hub
The Importance of an Author Website
In today’s world, every author needs a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be a central hub where readers can learn more about you and your books.
What to Include on Your Website
Not Just About Writing Craft
Readers don’t necessarily care about your writing process or your favorite pen. They want to know about your books: what inspired them, what themes they explore, and why they should read them.
Inspiration Behind the Stories
Author Diane Capri does this really well. Her website shares the real-life events and research that inspired her novels. This gives readers a deeper connection to the story and the author.
Roundups and Recommendations
Consider creating blog posts like “Best Romances of March 2024,” with summaries and links to other authors’ books. This is valuable content for readers, and it can also help with search engine optimization (SEO).
Social Media Strategy: Direct Traffic to Your Hub
Consistency is Key (Even If It’s Not Daily)
You don’t have to post on social media every day, but you should maintain an active presence. Show readers that you’re engaged and available.
Using a Virtual Assistant (VA)
Social media can be time-consuming. If you can afford it, consider hiring a virtual assistant (VA) to manage your accounts. Bonnie mentions her VA, Mandy, who does a fantastic job with her social media.
Directing Traffic
Use your social media banners and posts to guide readers to your website or a specific landing page. Make it easy for them to find what they’re looking for.
Social Media Planner Tools
Tools like Bonidi can help you schedule and manage your social media posts across multiple platforms. Take a look at Bonidi to streamline your efforts.
Action Step
Claim your Amazon Author Page, create a Goodreads page, and set up a simple, professional website. Then, keep your branding consistent across all platforms.
Harnessing Reviews and Social Proof: Let Your Readers Do the Talking
Readers Trust Other Readers
Think about it: you’re more likely to try a new restaurant if your friend raves about it, right? The same principle applies to books. Readers trust other readers. Positive reviews and testimonials can be incredibly powerful in attracting new fans.
Strategies for Gathering Reviews
Advanced Reader Team (ARC Team)
Build an ARC team of readers who receive advance copies of your book in exchange for an honest review. This can help you generate buzz and gather reviews before your launch date.
Early Paperback Release
Consider releasing your paperback a few days before your ebook. This gives early readers a chance to leave reviews that will be visible on launch day.
Showcase Testimonials
Share blurbs from influencers or fellow authors on your social media, ads, and newsletters. Seeing that others endorse your work can be a huge boost.
Sharing Readers’ Reactions
Don’t be afraid to share positive reviews and reactions on your social media. Let your readers do the talking!
Amazon Author Central
Link your blog’s RSS feed to your Amazon Author Page. This allows you to highlight reader comments and turn them into blog posts, which will then be displayed on your author page.
Action Step
Ask for reviews at the end of your book and build an ARC team to generate early reviews.
Showing Up and Engaging: Be a Real Person!
Be Authentic, Not Just a Salesperson
Readers want to connect with the author behind the books. Be a real person, not just a sales machine.
Content Ideas to Engage Readers
Behind-the-Scenes Content
Share your writing process, inspiration, and research. Give readers a glimpse into your world.
Reader Shout-Outs
Feature positive reviews and explain how they made you feel. This shows readers that you appreciate their support.
Engage in Online Discussions
Participate in reader groups, social media conversations, and newsletters. Be present and available to your audience.
Important Note
Avoid forced or inauthentic engagement. Don’t promote your apocalyptic book in a prepper group unless it’s a natural fit. Focus on organic interactions and genuine connections.
Offering Value Before Selling: The “Give Before You Ask” Approach
The Concept of Giving Before Asking
Provide valuable content to build trust and attract readers. Give before you ask for a sale.
Reader Magnet Ideas
Offer a free short story, exclusive chapter, or bonus content in exchange for signing up for your newsletter. This is a great way to build your email list and connect with readers. Check out the Finding Your Indie “Reader Magnet Duo” course for step-by-step guidance.
Teaching and Entertaining
Teaching and entertaining are the two biggest drivers of engagement on social media. Share excerpts, insights, or entertaining content related to your book’s themes.
Action Step
Set up a reader magnet opt-in on your website or using BookFunnel.
Consistency and Patience: Building Trust Over Time
Trust is Built Over Time, Not Overnight
Remember, trust is built over time, not overnight. It takes consistent effort and patience to cultivate a loyal fanbase.
The Power of Consistent Branding and Messaging
Long-term credibility is built through consistent branding, messaging, and presence.
Bonnie’s Personal Experience
Bonnie shares her experience of stepping back from her pen name and the challenges of starting fresh. It’s a reminder that even experienced authors face setbacks.
Starting Fresh After a Break
If you’ve taken a break from writing, don’t worry. You can always start fresh. Clean up your newsletter list, improve your reader magnets, set up automations, and be more consistent in your online presence.
Action Step
Create a simple marketing plan with achievable goals. Start with one post per day or one newsletter per month and build from there.
Final Takeaway: Building Trust Is Your Biggest Marketing Asset
Building trust is your biggest marketing asset. It requires consistency and delivering on your brand promise. Put in the time, and the results will follow.
Which tip are you going to try first? Pick one thing from this post and implement it. Small improvements compound over time.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this post. Let us know what specific tips and tricks would help you the most. Check out the “Grow Here” page on Finding Your Indie for freebies.
Remember, you’re not alone. The author community is here to help. Let’s collaborate and support each other.
