Writing a book is no small task, so when you write one, you should get as much out of it as you can. There are a lot of different ways to do this, including expanding the literary world of the book itself or providing unique offerings to grow the readership.

Either way, this can often be a smart strategy for marketing a book. Let’s look at a few different options to get the most out of your book.

Write a sequel

This is the most obvious idea, but it also comes with a caution flag: Many times a sequel can be a valuable addition to your book and your brand, but we’ve also all read that feel forced and only weaken our affection for the previous book.

A good sequel expands on the story you’ve already written, continues to flesh out your characters while adding new ones, and hooks the audience with lots of fresh content. A bad sequel, however, fails to channel the magic of the previous book and makes it seem like the author went back to the well until it ran dry. Don’t be that writer.

Harness the power of a good sequel to expand your literary universe.

Release an eBook

Your physical, printed book can only reach one market.

In 2021, there are a lot of other ways to consume texts, and if you’re only offering a printed book, you can only tap into one market.

An eBook is one of the best ways to find new readers. Many people have taken up e-Readers as their primary source for reading fiction, and it’s easy to see why: the books are cheaper, you can store thousands on one device, and it’s convenient. I’ll be the first to say I think you should always have physical books, too, but the key to success as a writer is having both offerings—not one or the other.

If you don’t have an eBook, you’re missing out on that market. Consider an option like MindStir Media, which has ebook-creation built into the publishing package.

Create an Audiobook

An audiobook is a second way to expand your offerings. Many people don’t have as much time to read as they’d like so they’ve begun listening to audiobooks on their commutes, walks, or any other time they get a chance to pop in their earbuds. It’s a way to keep up with your favorite author or discover new favorites without taking as much time out of a busy day.

To make sure you don’t miss out on this audience, consider making an audiobook. This is a pretty technical process, so only do it yourself if you’re very comfortable with audio equipment. If not, consider hiring it done to ensure professional quality. Yes, this will be an added expense, but it can also return lots of value as you reach a new market.

Make Supplemental Content

Finally, consider creating supplemental content for your book. This is the most creative of these options because there’s not a right way or wrong way—just do what you think is best for your book and audience.

So what does it mean to create supplemental content? It can be anything you create, as long as it points back to your book in some way. Here are a few examples:

• Write a bonus chapter/mini-story following a new character and give it away to readers who subscribe to your website.
• Start a video series where you discuss your book chapter-by-chapter
• Interview on podcasts or radio shows and then post the recordings on your site
• Host a fan-fiction contest and give the winner a special prize related to your book

If you find something that works for your book and gets your readers telling their friends, then more and more people will discover your work.

Put on your marketing hat

There are a lot of different ways to help get the most out of your book, so put on your marketing hat and consider which of these options work best for you. If you have questions, thoughts, or ideas, I’d love to hear them on Twitter at @authorjjhebert.