So you’ve written your book, survived the editing process, figured out your publishing platform, and are now ready to hit publish. But there’s still a big question you need to answer: Who’s going to handle the book’s marketing?
Most writers often forget to give it some thought, but make no mistake, ignoring it comes to bite you in the end. For this reason, we’ve curated this blog to answer the question ‘Should I hire someone to market my book?”
We’re going to unearth what marketing means, and go deep into whether someone with zero marketing background can do it themselves. Is hiring a team necessary or going solo the best option. Let’s find out.
What Exactly Is Book Marketing?
Before you can decide whether to do it yourself or hire a pro, it helps to understand what book marketing actually means. We’re not talking about a one-time Instagram post or slapping up a few Amazon keywords and hoping for the best.
Real book marketing is the strategy and execution of getting your book into the hands of readers, and that takes time, planning, and a whole lot of effort.
This can include:
- Building your author brand
- Running social media campaigns
- Creating a newsletter or email funnel
- Setting up Amazon or Facebook ads
- Outreach to influencers, reviewers, or book clubs
- Building your website or landing page
Can You Market Without a Background in Marketing?
Short answer? Yes.
Longer answer? Yes, but there’s a learning curve. If you’re willing to invest time (and patience), you can absolutely teach yourself the basics. There are great online resources, podcasts, and author forums dedicated to helping writers succeed with DIY strategies.
But here’s the thing: marketing is its own job. It comes with trial and error. You have to A/B test ad copy, dig into analytics, understand your audience, and stay consistent across platforms. That’s not everyone’s cup of tea. And frankly, most authors don’t have the time to invest in marketing basics.
If that sounds like more than you can handle right now, it might be time to revisit that big question: Should I hire someone to market my book? And consider experts who know how to do it.
What Book Marketing Services Can Actually Do for You
When done right, book marketing services can lighten your load and amplify your reach. They bring experience, tools, and a tested system to the table. That means fewer mistakes, faster results, and potentially higher visibility.
At Swift Book Publishing, for example, we don’t offer one-size-fits-all packages. We tailor your marketing plan based on your book’s genre, audience, and goals. Maybe you need email list growth. Maybe you need reviews. Maybe your Amazon listing needs a makeover. We help you figure out what matters most and make a plan that actually works.
But always vet any service before you sign on. Ask what platforms they focus on, whether they provide analytics, and how they define success.
What Is the Difference Between Book Marketing and Book Publicity?
Here’s a quick way to look at it:
Marketing is what you say about your book. Publicity is what others say about it.
Book marketing covers things like social media, paid ads, and email newsletters. It’s proactive, often paid, and entirely under your control.
Publicity involves getting others to talk about your book, media outlets, influencers, or industry reviewers. It relies more on relationships and storytelling. It might land you an interview on a podcast or a feature in a local magazine.
So if you’re weighing the options, ask yourself: do I need ongoing promotion, or do I need exposure from respected third parties? For most indie authors, the answer is both.
Are Book Promotion Services Worth It?
It depends on your budget, goals, and timeline. If you’re launching your first book and want it to make a splash, a solid promotional campaign can absolutely be worth the investment. But make sure you’re paying for strategy and not just scattershot social posts.
The best ways to promote your book include:
- A well-timed email sequence around your launch
- Optimized Amazon ads
- Strategic review placements
- Targeted social media content
If a service helps you execute these well, the return can be more than worth it.
What About Publishers? Do They Help Market Your Book?
Here’s the honest truth: unless you’re a household name, even traditional publishers won’t pour huge marketing budgets into your book. Most expect authors to bring their own audience or handle grassroots promotion themselves.
So whether you’re self-published or working with a smaller house, the pressure to market still falls largely on your shoulders. That’s why many authors turn to services for support.
How Do I Get My Book Reviewed?
Reviews matters a lot! Not just on Amazon, but on Goodreads, NetGalley, book blogs, and genre-specific publications. If you’re working alone, start by building relationships with indie reviewers or sending out ARCs (Advance Reader Copies).
If you’re working with a professional, they can often get you in front of harder-to-reach reviewers or secure spots in promotional newsletters that have thousands of book-buying subscribers.
Getting your book reviewed isn’t easy, but it’s one of the highest-impact tools for driving social proof.
So, Should You Hire Someone?
Here’s the real answer to should I hire someone to market my book?: If you have the budget and know you need help, yes. Especially if your goal is to launch strong, reach more readers, and build a sustainable author brand.
But if you’re just starting out, have time to experiment, and enjoy learning new things, DIY marketing can also get you far.
Just remember: writing the book was step one. Selling it is an entirely different journey. And no matter which road you take, having a thoughtful plan is better than winging it.
If you’re looking for honest guidance, flexible plans, and support tailored to indie authors, Swift Book Publishing is here to help, especially if you’re publishing from anywhere in the U.S, because the right book deserves the right readers.
