No Budget, No Problem: A Free Book Marketing Blueprint for Authors Who Hate Marketing

Marketing a book doesn’t have to drain your bank account or your soul.

Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, one thing is clear: if you don’t market your book, no one will find it. But that doesn’t mean you need money. You just need a system that works and this is it.

🎯 PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Know Your Book, Know Your Reader)

• Craft a One-Liner Hook: Summarize your book in one punchy sentence. Ex: “A single mom must survive Thanksgiving dinner with her werewolf in-laws.”
• Define Your Ideal Reader: Genre, vibe, similar authors, emotional hooks.
• Optimize Your Amazon Page: Update your blurb, use compelling keywords, choose the right categories. Use tools like KDP Category Finder.

📢 PHASE 2: FREE MARKETING CHANNELS

• Link Hub: Use Linktree or Carrd to showcase your links in one spot.
• Pick ONE Social Platform: Focus your energy. Post 3x/week: teasers, behind-the-scenes, reader reactions.
• Facebook Groups: Join 5 reader-focused or genre-based groups. Engage authentically.
• Pitch Reviewers: DM 10 book bloggers or Bookstagrammers. Offer a free copy.

✨ PHASE 3: GROW YOUR READER BASE

• Start an Email List: Use free tools like MailerLite or ConvertKit.
• Offer a Freebie: A sample chapter, checklist, or deleted scene.
• Join Author Cross-Promos: Try StoryOrigin or BookFunnel.

💬 PHASE 4: SPREAD THE WORD

• Email your personal network. Ask for reviews.
• Ask every reader for feedback on Amazon or Goodreads.
• Post “reader reactions” even fun fake ones! Ex: “OMG that dinner scene!” –Your Aunt Carol

🧰 TOOLBOX (ALL FREE)

• Landing Pages: Linktree / Carrd
• Email Tools: MailerLite / ConvertKit
• Design: Canva
• Promo Tools: StoryOrigin / BookFunnel
• Keywords: Publisher Rocket (free tools)

🗓 DAILY TASK LIST

• Comment in a FB Group – 10 min
• Post a Teaser or Quote – 5 min
• Email 1 Blogger or Reader – 10 min
• Invite 1 Person to Your List – 5 min

You don’t need a budget. You need a voice. And you’ve got one.