These six book marketing ideas for 2026 may not be new, but they’ve been tried and tested, and maybe you just haven’t tried them before. It’s not about revolutionary ideas and going viral because there is no one magic trick that will make you a best seller overnight. It’s all about the proven and solid techniques and playing the long game.
If you’ve never given these tactics a shot, maybe 2026 is the year to do that?
1. Conferences: Active Book Marketing that Comes with Educational and Networking Benefits
Writers and publishing industry conferences are great places for education and networking opportunities. They can also be a great place to promote your book and gain new readers. Have you ever considered renting a booth? When you have a dedicated space for yourself and your book it’s harder to get overlooked and easier to be brave. This isn’t just a book marketing idea for 2026. Like others on this list, you can try next year, or many years from now, because writers conferences will likely always be around.
Tip: The best place to spend your marketing budget on a booth rental is at conferences focused on readers, and even better, at conferences built around your genre.
Here’s a list of upcoming writers conferences. Maybe one is right for you?
2. Ask for Reviews (Even if Your Book Has Been Out for Awhile)
The best time to get reviews is before your book is even published. But whether you already have reviews or not, getting new ones, even for a book that’s been out for awhile, can breathe some fresh life into your book promotion efforts. It’s really never too late for a good review.
Seek out reviews. Share them on social! Use these new reviews in your ongoing promo posts. Remember, even if your book didn’t come out this year, you can still use this book marketing idea for 2026 and beyond. Heck, you can even solicit reviews on a regular schedule. After all, new readers are always finding your book, so it’s new to them.
You can read all about getting reviews here.
3. A Book Marketing Idea for 2026 Specifically: Submit to an Award
If you’re planning on publishing this year, why not submit your book for an award in 2026? We know a lot of new authors are a bit shy about their work, and many don’t even know book awards for self-published authors exist. But they do! And you can’t win an award if you don’t submit!
Nothing gives your book the social proof it needs like winning a book award. If your book will publish this year, submit to an award! But first, do your research because the better the fit, the bigger your chance is of winning.
Here is a list of book awards with upcoming 2026 deadlines.
This is an evergreen list of indie author book awards.
4. Write More in 2026 to Draw in Readers
Content is still king and writing regularly on your own platforms or publishing elsewhere increases your visibility and can help new fans discover you through different avenues besides your book.
The key to successfully building an audience of loyal fans is consistency. Publish as often as you can. Keep up on your blogging schedule. And equally as important, you want to write what your audience wants and expects. Create good content and maintain a way to access it regularly, and you’ll make your audience happy and keep them engaged.
Read this post on the topic. Wondering how to keep up on your creative endeavors? This article has some tips.
5. Bring an Old Cover Back to Life with this Book Marketing Idea for 2026!
If your book is older, this book marketing idea for 2026 may be just what you need to bring it back into the spotlight this year.
If you have a book that’s languishing in obscurity, you may want to consider a cover redesign. Cover redesigns can garner new interest in your book by giving it the cover it deserves.
Sometimes a book’s cover can be what’s holding it back, despite all your best efforts. If it looks dated, doesn’t speak to your audience, or follow professional cover conventions, it will likely be overlooked, despite what’s inside. So, think about it. Does your cover need a redesign?
Don’t forget to refresh your back cover copy (book description) along with it. These are your books biggest selling points!
Was your first book a flop? Did you know you can even put out a new edition? Edit the whole book! Update it along with your cover and get it out into the world again in 2026. But with a makeover.
You can read about cover redesign here.
6. Write Your Next Book!
There’s a well-known saying in the industry that your second book sells your first book. If you’ve been putting off an idea, or have a half-finished manuscript lying around gathering dust, maybe 2026 is the year to push yourself to finish it. This is especially important if you’re the author of a series or an expert on a topic. Don’t delay. Too much time between releases means readers lose interest. This book marketing idea for 2026 can start now! Make it a goal to at least begin your manuscript and wade into those premarketing waters.
Some Book Marketing Ideas for 2026 Specifically: What’s Working for Authors Now
The above book marketing ideas for 2026 aren’t exactly new, as we mentioned. But they are tried and true and have stood the test of time. And maybe they’re new to you! If you’re a new author it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the possible book marketing tactics out there, but trying proven methods is always a good approach.
With that said, there are some new trends in book marketing that are working for authors now.
Because reader engagement is always shifting, and new avenues for reaching your audience are always popping up, you do have to be willing to adapt.
What’s Working Now, and What Readers Want
- Short-form video content shared in the spaces where your readers are. This requires knowing your audience, and learning from other authors in your space.
- Being engaged and authentic. Posting regularly and sharing behind the scenes moments of your process, your experiences, and insight into your inspiration and your characters is especially popular right now.
- Interactive experiences. Virtual workshops, readings, and Q&A sessions bring you face to face with your audience and build trust and loyalty.
- Print marketing and merch with QR codes. Update your print materials such as bookmarks, stickers and flyers(even one sheets) with a QR code instead of a written website address. This allows direct and instant access to your website where they’ll find bonus materials, book previews, and links to buy.
- Custom Newsletters for Your Biggest Fans. A newsletter that directly speaks to your biggest fans and keeps them engaged and updated will create a sense of intimacy. Audiences like that feeling of being in a niche group. Let them in on exclusives and offer something special.
You can read about 2026 social media trends in this post from Jane Freidman’s blog.
Much of this list of book marketing ideas for 2026 is evergreen, but it is important to stay on top of in-the-moment trends too. Just be sure to check in on what’s working and what’s not. Be willing to move to new platforms or create new types of content, because audiences are fickle and they know what they want.
Remember, though, book marketing is a multi-level effort and you’re playing the long game. No one tactic will bring you success, but a sustained and consistent effort will pay off.
Have questions about a topic you don’t see answered on our blog? Head over to Jeniffer’s to check out all the great info she shares. Or better yet, let us know what you’d like to read about in the comments!
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