I always look forward to writing this article about the year’s top 10 book marketing articles on this site. It forces me to do something I need to do more often — study what resonates with you here so I can deliver more of it.

Google Analytics helps me identify the blog posts with the most traffic (visits). Because I want the list to focus only on articles created or updated in 2022, I remove those in the top 10 that don’t fit that description.

In addition to helping you see anything that could help you but that you might have missed, this annual process helps me:

• Identify trends
• Uncover surprises (for example, I thought “Amazon A+ Content: Elevate your book’s Amazon page” would get more traffic than it did, especially considering it was widely shared)
• Determine what to write about in the following year

Your top 10 book marketing articles

Which Build Book Buzz articles made the most difference for you? Here are your favorite book marketing articles according to blog traffic reports.

1. 2022 literary calendar has 149 opportunities for celebrating all things books

This month-by-month list of occasions that celebrate all things books this year makes it easy to find opportunities you can work into your book marketing plans. It includes information on how to use the special days and holidays for year-round book marketing and promotion. (Be sure to download the 2023 literary calendar using that option in the article here.)

2. How to email a press release to journalists: The biggest mistake to avoid

Originally published in 2012 and updated this year, this how-to article with a short demo video is at the top of the traffic list year after year. It’s a must-read if you plan to contact journalists.

3. BookTok for book marketing

This roundup of media coverage of BookTok (a TikTok subculture for books and readers) digs into the impact of short videos from book lovers and why they’re important, and explains how you can use BookTok to your advantage.

4. 5 ways to promote your book long after the launch

Readers don’t care if your book came out last week, last month, or last year. All they care about is that it’s a good book. Here are five things you can do to promote your fiction and nonfiction books long after the launch has come and gone.

5. 18 book marketing tips from the trenches

I asked authors, book marketers, book publicists, and publishers for their best book marketing tips. Here’s truly helpful advice from 18 of them.

6. The difference between book reviews and endorsements

What’s the difference between book reviews and book endorsements? And why should you care? The article answers those questions and outlines the two types of book reviews and how they differ. Don’t miss the examples of endorsements in the second half.

7. 7 ways to promote your book while watching TV

The next time you’re watching TV to relax, especially if the show doesn’t require you to look at the screen the whole time to follow the action, try doing a few of these book promotion activities.

8. Attract more readers by including these 3 author bio essentials

Condensing your personal story into a few sentences can be a challenge. Build your credibility with readers by including these three author bio essentials in your author bio. Each is something readers expect to see on your book’s back cover and sales pages.

9. Boost social media success with these 3 image types

Research shows that images improve your social media success and engagement. Here are three types of custom images you can create that support your book marketing messages while they increase social media engagement.

10. Create your book marketing plan by answering these 7 questions

If you want to sell books, creating a book marketing plan isn’t optional – it’s essential. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of it, though. It’s really just a matter of answering the right questions. You’ll find them here.

I’ve been blogging here for more than 10 years, so there’s a huge amount of free information on this site. Find it with the search box. It’s on the right if you’re on a computer; on the bottom if you’re viewing this with a mobile device.

I’m looking forward to another year of learning and sharing with you.

What do you want me to write about on this blog in the coming year? Please offer suggestions in a comment below.

Whether I write them or tap into the wisdom of an expert for a guest post, the goal is always to provide factual, helpful, “here’s how” information you can use immediately to help you sell more books.

Here’s a list of the 10 articles on the Build Book Buzz blog that you liked the most in 2018. Be sure to share the link to this post so more of your author friends can learn from them.

And, if you aren’t getting these articles by email yet via the free Build Book Buzz weekly e-newsletter, be sure to subscribe here!

1. How to get kicked out of a Facebook group

Online discussions taking too much of your time? Here are 13 surefire ways to get kicked out of your favorite Facebook group. (Be sure to read the comments, too. This article’s readers are so helpful.)

2. Are authors allowed to vote on Amazon reviews of their books?

Are authors allowed to vote on Amazon reviews of their own books? And should they vote on those reader reviews? Get the answers here.

3. Are you on Instagram? Let’s collaborate there! 

Want to get more exposure for your book on Instagram? Keep reading. I’d like to showcase your book on my Instagram account so it gets attention.

4. How I use Instagram to sell more books

Guest blogger Kate Hanley explains how to use Instagram to sell more books. Kate’s been micro-blogging on that platform to promote her new book, How to Be a Better Person.

5. Are you uncomfortable with book promotion? Try this

Are you uncomfortable with book promotion? Here’s a tip that will turn that around and make you proud to share book information with the people you wrote it for.

6. 3 author mistakes that will hold you back in 2018

Want to sell more books? Stop making these three common author mistakes. It’s not as hard to turn things around as you might think.

7. 7 tried and true ways to make a book cover decision

Is asking social media friends, “Which cover do you like more?” the best way to make a book cover decision? Publishing pros offer seven selection tips.

8. Use quirky holidays in March for book marketing

Add a little fun to your book marketing by taking advantage of quirky holidays in March to call attention to your book. Here are a few holidays and ideas.

9. 5 ways to collaborate with other authors (besides writing a book together)

Want to see your book take off? Collaborate with other authors rather than compete with them. Here are five ideas to you started and soaring.

10. Book review: How to Format Your Book in Word

Need to figure out how to format your book in Word? Read Colin Dunbar’s book on that subject to get all the help and instruction you need. It will feel like he’s sitting right next to you, guiding you through the process.

What’s the most important thing about book marketing that you learned this year? Please tell us in a comment. 

Tip of the Month

I like to share a “Tip of the Month,” a free resource or tool for authors, on the last Wednesday of the month.

This month, it’s a free “Weekly Social Media Planner” from the folks at NAMS (Novice to Advanced Marketing System).

To download your free planner, watch the first few minutes of the social media marketing strategy instructional video until the download button appears under the video. (Or, if you’re impatient, fast forward the video manually until the download button appears.)

The download button will take you to a page where you can download your free Social Media Planner.