Using your relationships to sell books is one of the most overlooked strategies in self-publishing.
If you are a new author, it’s one of the best ways to help you get book sales as soon as you launch your new book.
Because self-publishing a book or ebook is so easy, thousands of new authors release titles every year, creating a lot of competition. However, a big percentage fall by the wayside because they don’t work on getting initial sales or reviews.
That’s why it’s vital to put in the hard work before you publish, to make sure your new book sells copies in the first few days.
Why relationships matter when you’re trying to sell books
When you publish your new book, you might think it’s for everyone.
But the truth is that most new books appeal to a very small group of readers with an interest in a particular genre.
Yes, your book is available on Amazon, so anyone can buy it. But the problem is that it will be competing in an Amazon ocean of millions of books.
That’s why early sales are vital to your chances of success. The more sales you can generate in those first days and weeks, the higher your book will rank in Amazon search results.
Pushing hard for pre-orders, launch-day sales, and those all-important early reviews can give your book the boost it needs to stand out.
Unless you can make enough sales to boost your initial sales rank, book buyers will be unlikely to see your book on Amazon.
That’s where your network can help. By using your relationships to sell books, you have a real fighting chance because you’re not starting from zero.
Friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances won’t be your long-term readership, but they can give you the initial push every new book needs.
Even 50, 70, or 100 early sales can make the difference between being buried and being visible.
Here are five practical ways you can start using your relationships to encourage people who know you to buy your book.
1. Family and friends
Tell everyone in your circle of friends, family, and extended family about your new book.
But don’t assume all your friends and family will know how to buy your book. Give or send them direct purchase links, with the formats available, and tell them how they can leave a review.
They all know and love you, so they will understand why you need their help.
You could throw a book launch party or barbecue and have fun watching them using their phones to buy your Kindle ebook.
Depending on the size of your family and circle of friends, they can certainly help in giving your new book a sales boost.
2. Social media friends and contacts
One of the easiest ways to build relationships with book buyers is on social media.
It doesn’t matter if it’s Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, or any other network you use regularly.
But don’t fall into the trap of trying to make hundreds of new contacts. Stick with the people who know you.
You don’t want to do a “buy my book” blast, but you can let people know that your new book is available for pre-order or sale.
3. Work or professional associates
Whether you are employed or self-employed, make sure everyone you work with knows about your new book.
If you work in an office building, ask if you can leave some book promotion leaflets or flyers at reception.
Another option is to add a line to your email signature if possible. If you can’t add it to your professional email, you can always add it to your personal account.
4. Local associations and newspapers
If you are a member of a local club, you might be able to make an announcement about your book.
Another avenue is if you have friends or family who are members of clubs or associations. Ask them if they can distribute some of your book flyers.
You can also try contacting your local newspaper.
Many of them publish regular articles about authors and new local books.
You probably know other authors via social media, and it doesn’t hurt at all to let them know about your book.
But they are not your best avenue to gain sales.
However, they might be open to an interview article with you if they have a blog.
Many author bloggers are looking for content ideas, so an author interview can be a win-win situation.
There’s no harm in asking. Any online publicity you can get is valuable.
You already have relationships with book buyers
Your best chance of selling copies of your new book, especially in the first few days, is leveraging people who already know you.
One of the biggest mistakes new authors make is to release a book, cross their fingers, and hope strangers will find it. The truth is that books rarely sell this way.
A far better approach is to use your relationships to sell books. Ask friends, colleagues, and acquaintances to be your first buyers and reviewers.
These initial sales will give your book a boost in Amazon’s rankings, making it more visible to new readers.
And if you’ve selected your categories and keywords wisely, those early sales and reviews can help your book break into bestseller lists or appear in “also bought” recommendations.
That’s the visibility you need to reach readers beyond your own circle.
Summary
Selling books is never easy, and the numbers prove it. Even in traditional publishing, most titles sell very few copies.
Nielsen Bookscan once reported that out of 1.2 million tracked titles, nearly a million sold fewer than 100 copies, and only a tiny fraction sold more than 5,000.
More recent research suggests that the average self-published ebook may sell around 250 copies in its lifetime.
The exact figures may vary, but the message is clear. Relying on luck or hoping your book will magically find an audience is rarely successful.
That’s why your relationships with book buyers are essential.
Friends, colleagues, and readers who already know you can help give you the early momentum that sets your book apart.
A strong start in those first days and weeks, boosted by sales and reviews from your network, can help your book climb rankings, appear in searches, and be discovered by new readers.
So instead of focusing on the averages, focus on what you can control.
Related reading: Amazon Search Results For Books Guide For New KDP Authors
