It forces me to do something I need to do more often — study what resonates with you here, then deliver more of it.

I start the two-part process with Google Analytics.

Identifying the top book marketing articles

First, I look at the traffic for all of my content, not just what I created for 2021. There are a few perennial favorites, including one article I wrote in 2012 that continues to rank at the top.

Then I narrow the list down to content created this year. Both exercises help me:

• Identify trends
• Uncover surprises (for example, I thought you’d be really interested in “Should you sell books from your website?” You weren’t.  )
• Guide what I write about in the following year

Here are the articles that interested you the most in 2021. I’m looking forward to delivering more information that helps in 2022.

1. 2021 literary calendar with 137 occasions for book lovers

This month-by-month list of occasions that celebrate all things books during the year we’re leaving behind made it easy to find opportunities you could work into your book marketing plans. It includes information on how to use the 137 special days and holidays for year-round book marketing. (And while this article ran at the end of 2020, the vast majority of traffic it attracted came in early 2021.) And, if you’re looking ahead to 2022, here’s the link to that calendar: https://buildbookbuzz.com/2022-literary-calendar/

2. Who are the best BookTubers?

“BookTube” refers to YouTube video bloggers who talk about books; the book lovers who create those videos are “BookTubers.” This article links to seven lists of the top BookTubers so you don’t have to spend hours and hours wading through searches to find the best and most popular options.

3. 11 free things you can do to buzz your book

If your goal is a high-quality book, you’re going to have to spend money on cover design, editing, and proofreading, for starters. But there are lots of effective tactics you can use to promote your book that cost nothing but time. Learn more about 11 of them in this article.

4. How to give readers a direct Amazon review link

Get more reader reviews by giving fans a link that goes directly to the “write a review” section of your book’s description page on Amazon. This demo video shows where to find that section and how to grab and use the corresponding link.

I’d like to do more of these types of “let me show you how to do that” videos, but struggle to come up with ideas for them. What can I show you how to do?

5. Amazon Verified Purchase reviews: Fact versus fiction

Some authors believe that if you didn’t purchase the book on Amazon so that it’s “verified,” you can’t review it. Others think that reviews that aren’t verified have no value and aren’t worth securing. They’re both wrong. Learn how it works in this article.

6. 3 things you need to stop doing on social media

You see people making mistakes on social media all the time, don’t you? In the early days, it was tweeting “buy my book” nonstop. Today, the faux pas are more sophisticated. Here are three that will put distance between you and your readers.

7. Use Amazon’s embed feature to preview your book anywhere

Guest blogger Walter Rhein introduces us to a little-known Amazon marketing tool that every author with an Amazon listing can use. The “here’s what it looks like” images he provides are especially helpful.

8. 3 book marketing tactics you can ignore

To help you find your focus, I’ve identified three popular tactics that aren’t going to work for most authors. There are exceptions, of course. But for most, you can ignore these activities when you see others using them.

9. 10 Amazon changes authors need to know about

In this guest column, book marketing consultant Rob Eagar outlines the 10 most important Amazon updates for authors. They involve Amazon Advertising, Author Central accounts, and self-publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).

10. Kindle Vella: Is it a good fit for you?

Kindle Vella is a new storytelling option from KDP that lets authors self-publish serialized stories, one short episode at a time. This article introduces the concept and links to detailed Kindle Vella summaries and specifics on other sites.

What’s your favorite article from this site this year? Is it on this list, or is it something else? Please tell us in a comment. 

These book lovers who create the videos are “BookTubers;” their collective accounts, known as “channels,” create the BookTube community.

There are thousands of them producing videos about books. Thousands.

And because readers love their content, book publishers often incorporate them into marketing plans. (Even Michelle Obama did a BookTube tour for Becoming.)

BookTubers and you

Should you send your book to any of these people in hopes of getting it read and reviewed, or mentioned in a “book haul” (when BookTubers show the books they’ve just bought or borrowed)?

That depends on whether the people reviewing books on YouTube read the types of books you write.

To do that, you first have to find their accounts — channels — and videos.

7 BookTuber lists

You could spend hours and hours wading through Google and YouTube searches to find the best and most popular BookTubers.

Fortunately, you don’t have to. Others have done it for you, and I’m linking to their lists so you can take advantage of their hard work.

Here they are.

1. Reedsy, BookTube Channel Guide

This vetted list features a subscriber count, short description, and link for each of more than 170 BookTubers.

Note that the search box only searches the channel name (I’m not complaining — just explaining). There’s also an option that lets you filter for BookTubers who are also authors.

2. Book Riot, 15 FANTASTIC YOUTUBE BOOK REVIEWERS FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

This list is far more personal than some of the others, as it’s curated and reported by an individual rather than a team. She tells us why she likes each reviewer and includes an embedded video.

To get to the YouTuber’s channel, click “Watch on YouTube” on each video.

3. Book Scrolling, The Top Booktubers & Book Youtube Channels

You won’t get a description for each of the 23 on the list, but you can preview their content without leaving the list. Each entry links to the channel, too.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom for links to another 72 that didn’t rank at the top.

4. SheReads, Best Booktubers to watch in 2021

Get mini-profiles, photos, channel links, and Instagram account handles for 10 individuals.

5. SheReads, Best BookTubers of 2020

Last year’s list uses the same format as 2021’s — 10 short profiles that describe their content and how it’s presented, plus a photo and link to each channel and Instagram account.

6. Book Riot, 7 BOOKTUBERS WHO TALK ABOUT ADULT BOOKS

If you’re still with me, you might have realized by now that many of the book lovers talking all things books are fans of young adult and teen fiction. To counter that, I’m including this short list for those who write books for an older audience.

As with the other Book Riot list above, you’ll learn what the writer compiling the list likes about each BookTuber and what they read. Each description includes an embedded video or a YouTube channel link.

7. We Are Bookish, 20 Diverse Booktubers to Follow in 2020

This list compiled by a NetGalley staffer features mini-descriptions, an embedded video, and a link to the BookTuber’s channel.

Immerse yourself

If you’re interested in exploring the potential for your books, approach this as a reader and book lover first.

Who talks about the kinds of books you read? Who has an approach or style that you like? Who do you feel drawn to?

Subscribe to their channel; follow their social media accounts. Comment on and share their content, just as you’re doing already with other people you follow and like.

Once you value their content as a reader, you’ll better understand how you might collaborate.

A few more tips

NetGalley’s article, “BookTube Basics for Marketers,” offers tips for finding and engaging with the right BookTubers for the types of books you write, too.

Finally, I hope this underscores the importance of knowing your target audience — your ideal readers. Without that, you can’t assess whether working with BookTubers should be part of your book marketing plan.

Do you have a favorite BookTuber? Who is it, and why? Please tell us in a comment.