Why £200 Won’t Make You a Bestseller (and What Will)

kaz07899
Aug 20
2 min read

Thinking of spending £200 on book marketing? Here’s why it won’t sell your book...and the strategies that actually work for self-published authors.

I hear it a lot: “I’ve found a company that will market my book for £200 - sounds like a bargain, right?”

Wrong.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: £200 of book marketing won’t sell your book. At best, you’ll get a couple of generic social media posts or your novel dropped into a database no one actually reads. It might look shiny, but in reality, it has as much impact as a feather in a wind tunnel.

Why Cheap Book Marketing Doesn’t Work

Because marketing your book isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about strategy, visibility, and time.

If you’re a first-time author with no reviews, no following, and no platform, you simply can’t outsource that for £200.

Think about it: traditional publishers spend thousands on book promotion, and even then, they still expect authors to engage, promote, and connect with their readers.

So before you hand over your hard-earned money, here’s what actually works when it comes to marketing a self-published book.

What Actually Works in Book Marketing

👏 Invest in a real strategy. Decide who your readers are, where they hang out, and how to reach them. Random “spray and pray” marketing won’t cut it.

🎤 Author appearances. Schools, libraries, book clubs, literary festivals - anywhere your readers are. Nothing sells books like real connections.

📩 Build and grow your author email list. Social media is rented space. An email list is where you build loyal fans who’ll buy every book you publish.

🎙 Collaborations. Podcasts, guest blogs, and partnerships with other authors expand your reach and give you credibility.

🤑 Paid advertising...the smart way. Facebook ads, Amazon ads, BookBub campaigns. They can work brilliantly, but only if you’re willing to test, tweak, and invest.

The Long Game of Book Promotion

The truth? Book marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. There is no magic wand, no bargain-basement package, and no one-click solution that will turn you into a bestseller.

But with consistency, strategy, and a willingness to put yourself out there, you can sell more books, grow your readership, and build an author career that lasts.