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| Ten practical ways to help a friend market their book online, plus gentle suggestions authors can use to promote their own work without overwhelm. |
One of the kindest things you can do for a writer friend is to help their book be seen. Writing a book is usually a long, solitary labor; marketing it can feel even lonelier and more overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered how to support a friend’s book launch (or ongoing sales) without feeling salesy or awkward, here are ten practical, ethical, and genuinely helpful ways to do it—followed by suggestions you can gently offer your friend so the responsibility doesn’t rest entirely on helpful friends.
Download to Print Check List at the end of the article.
1. Read the Book (Yes, Really)
Before you promote a book, read it—or at least read enough to speak honestly about it. Your genuine impressions are far more persuasive than generic praise.
Why this matters:
🕮 You can recommend it to the right readers
🕮 Your reviews will sound authentic
🕮 You’ll feel more confident talking about it
If time is limited, even reading selected chapters or the introduction can help you speak truthfully about the book’s strengths.
2. Talk About It Naturally on Social Media
You don’t need to shout “BUY THIS BOOK!” Instead, share it the way you’d share any meaningful experience.
Examples:
🕮 A short quote that resonated with you
🕮 A photo of the book with a cup of tea
🕮 A sentence about who the book might be for
One thoughtful post on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or X can reach people your friend could never reach alone.
3. Share It Directly With the Right People
Personal recommendations are powerful. If you know someone who would genuinely enjoy the book, send them a brief email or message.
Keep it low-pressure:
“I just read this and thought of you—it might be right up your alley.”
This kind of sharing builds trust rather than resistance.
4. Write an Honest Amazon Review
Amazon reviews matter—a lot. Even a short, thoughtful review helps algorithms and reassures potential readers.
Tips:
🕮 Aim for honesty, not hype
🕮 Mention who the book is for
🕮 Avoid spoilers
If you purchased the book, your review will carry extra weight, but a verified purchase is not required.
5. Leave a Review on Goodreads
Goodreads is where readers go to talk about books. A rating or review there can help the book circulate organically.
You can also:
🕮 Add the book to a relevant shelf (e.g., “thoughtful memoirs”)
🕮 Mark it as “read” or “currently reading”
Small actions here add up.
6. Review the Book on Your Blog or Website
If you have a blog—even a small one—writing a post about the book creates lasting visibility.
A simple review post can include:
🕮 What drew you to the book
🕮 What stood out
🕮 Who do you recommend it to
Search engines notice original content, and blog reviews often rank longer than social posts.
7. Use Your Email List (If You Have One)
Email remains one of the most effective ways to share books. If you have a newsletter or regular email list, a brief mention can make a real difference.
This works especially well when:
🕮 Your list overlaps with the book’s audience
🕮 You share why you care about the book
A single paragraph is enough.
8. Share Links Strategically (Not Everywhere)
If your friend has a book page, Amazon link, or publisher page, share it where it makes sense:
🕮 In relevant online groups (following group rules)
🕮 In comment threads where the topic genuinely fits
Avoid spamming. Thoughtful placement always outperforms volume.
9. Promote as an Amazon Affiliate (If Appropriate)
If you are an Amazon Affiliate, you can share your affiliate link when recommending the book—as long as you disclose it.
This allows you to:
🕮 Support your friend
🕮 Earn a small commission
🕮 Keep recommendations transparent and ethical
This is especially useful on blogs or resource pages.
10. Encourage Without Taking Over
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is encourage your friend emotionally.
Writing and marketing are vulnerable acts. A kind word—
🕮 “Your book matters.”
🕮 “This is a long game.”
🕮 “You’re not failing; you’re learning.”
—can sustain them more than another social share.
Gentle Suggestions You Can Offer the Author
It’s generous to help—but authors also need to carry their own marketing load. Here are constructive ideas you can share with a friend who is struggling, without sounding critical.
1. Build a Simple Author Website
A basic website with:
🕮 A short bio
🕮 A book description
🕮 Purchase links
🕮 Contact information
…gives readers one clear place to land.
2. Clarify the Book’s Ideal Reader
Many books struggle because they are marketed to “everyone.” Help your friend define:
🕮 Who needs this book most
🕮 What problem it solves or experience it offers
Clear focus makes promotion easier for everyone.
3. Collect an Email List Early
Encourage your friend to start (or grow) an email list—even a small one. Ten engaged readers are more valuable than a thousand passive followers.
4. Learn One Platform Well
Instead of trying to be everywhere, suggest they choose one platform they enjoy and show up consistently.
Consistency beats intensity.
5. Ask for Specific Help
Authors get more support when they ask clearly:
🕮 “Could you leave a review?”
🕮 “Would you share this post?”
🕮 “Could you introduce me to someone who reviews books like mine?”
Specific requests respect everyone’s time.
6. Accept That Marketing Is a Skill
Marketing is learned, not innate. Encourage patience, experimentation, and realistic expectations
Most books sell slowly—and that’s normal.
Final Thoughts
Helping a friend market their book is an act of generosity, community, and belief. When done thoughtfully, it benefits both the author and the reader who discovers a book they truly needed.
And if you’re the author reading this: your work is not a burden to others. Let people help—but also give yourself permission to grow into the role of promoter, one small step at a time.
DOWNLOAD TO PRINT HELP LIST pdf.
🥤 Article and photos © 2026 Cynthia Zirkwitz | Organic Granny
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Nourishing life with integrity, simplicity, and compassion at Organic Granny.
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