TikTok has become a popular platform for authors and writers to promote their books and grow an audience. With more than one billion active users, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for authors to connect with readers and build an effective author brand within the social platform’s highly engaged community. This post discusses the #BookTok community, how the platform is impacting book sales, and how to get started with your own TikTok profile.
What Is #BookTok?
#BookTok is a hashtag used on TikTok by readers, authors, and publishers to connect and share book-related content. It is used by those who are passionate about books, literature, and reading. It’s essentially an online community where users can discover new books and authors, promote books, and connect with other book lovers. The hashtag is used to categorize and organize content related to books, literature, and the publishing industry to optimize discoverability. #BookTok is one of many related hashtags such as #bookrecs, #bookish, #booknerd, and more.
How is #BookTok Impacting Book Sales?
According to recent statistics, TikTok has a strong impact on book sales. According to Forbes and NPD Bookscan, in 2021 annual US print book sales increased by 9% to reach $825.7 million. An industry analyst is attributing some of that boost to #BookTok. Additionally, TikTok users are highly engaged, with the average user spending a whopping 95 minutes per day on the app.
Setting up Your TikTok Account
To set up an account on TikTok, authors and writers can download the app from the App Store or Google Play and create an account using their email or phone number. Once the account is set up, authors should complete their profile by adding a bio, a profile picture, and a link to their website, linktr.ee, or book product page. We suggest staying consistent with any established author branding, so be sure to use your author name as your TikTok user name (no numbers!) and your author headshot as your profile picture. This helps you become more recognizable.
Content Ideas for Authors on TikTok
To use TikTok effectively, authors should post a variety of content, including behind-the-scenes looks at their writing process, book trailers, and Q&A sessions with readers. It’s also a good idea to participate in popular TikTok trends and challenges related to writing and books. Here are a few example TikToks:
In terms of best practices, authors should aim to post regularly and consistently, and they should also engage with their followers by responding to comments and direct messages. Additionally, they should use hashtags to reach a wider audience and collaborate with other authors and book influencers.
In conclusion, TikTok is a powerful tool for authors and writers to promote their books and build their personal brand. With over one billion active users and a strong impact on book sales, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for authors to connect with readers and promote their work in a fun and engaging way. By setting up an account, posting regularly, and engaging with their followers, authors can use TikTok to reach a wider audience and boost book sales.
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