How to Market Your Book TiKToK

Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

TiKToK is one of the fastest growing social media networks in the world. Up to 1 billion users get on this app monthly. Since so many people use this app, your target market is most likely on there. TiKToK allows readers to meet authors virtually, so they get an idea of your personality and what you are like. Capturing your readers’ attention with 15-second videos about how the contents of your book would benefit them provides an enormous level of exposure.

A group of TikTok users launched BookTalk which is a network of book lovers. Readers and writers alike can share fun videos via the TiKToK app. On BookTalk, users share their passion for books with millions. Anyone who posts on TikTok can use trending music and flashy filters to enhance their videos. With the steps below, the TikTok app is simple to use. 

How to use TiKToK:

• Download the TiKToK app on your smart phone. 

• Set up your profile by choosing your user name, upload a headshot, and add a bio.

• Watch what is going on in the BookTalk community within TiKToK by clicking on the search button and typing in BookTalk. The top videos pop up. From there, you can click on Users, Videos, Sounds, and Hashtags.

• Determine what other readers and authors are posting within the BookTalk feed.

• Follow authors who write in your genre. Type your genre into the Search bar and see what shows up. Follow readers who are content creators within BookTalk.

• Figure out which sounds and music are the most popular within BookTalk.

• Determine the best hashtags to use. Hashtags helps your videos get seen by more users. Anyone looking for specific content can type a hashtag into the search bar and find the corresponding topic. Some hashtags include #Booktalk, #TiktokBookClub, #WritingABook, #ForYourPage, #FYP, #ChildrensBooks.

The information from steps 3–7 will give you an idea of the type of content to share about your book. We don’t want to say, “buy my book,” but instead post interactive videos about how your book-related content can benefit others. This type of content will draw readers in.

After you become familiar with the TiKToK app and the BookTalk community, it is time to create your first video. 

Here are the steps:

• Login to TiKToK.

• Tap on the + icon at the bottom of the TiKToK screen.

• Either use the TikTok camera or upload a video from your phone by tapping the Upload button. Using a video you already created might be best. If you tap on the Upload button, a list of your videos (not your photos) will pop up (that makes it easy to choose a video).

• If you use the TikTok camera, tap the red record button at the bottom of the screen. Be sure to take the video with your phone in the upright vertical position, not horizontally. 

• After you’ve created a video or uploaded one, you can add sounds by tapping the Add Sound button on top of the screen.

• Next, tap Filters to add one of the many appealing filters to change the feel and color of your video.

• You could also insert stickers or write something on the video by tapping on the “Aa” button that appears at the bottom of the screen. I add my website URL.

Currently, BookTalk is driving U.S. sales in young adult fiction, with backlist titles topping print charts. Another reason to join the BookTalk community is that in August 2021, TiKToK announced a new shop tab expansion for Shopify merchant profiles. Take the plunge and enter this Gen Z book subculture within TiKToK called BookTalk. We are never too old to learn new tricks! Please follow me on TiKToK @SusanUNeal.

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Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIAis a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.