Substack is so funny. It just fed me this post you wrote in Aug, 2022. I read it nevertheless. It felt like it could’ve been written yesterday. Are you still on TikTok?
The Substack algorithm works in mysterious ways. I'm still on TikTok although admittedly not spending a lot of time there. Partially because I'm wondering what will happen with a potential ban. But as of now, it does seem like books can still get seen there.
I had TikTok for a while. Never posted anything, but enjoyed scrolling mindlessly when I had a few minutes. Which inevitably turned into MORE than a few minutes. Because the app is like digital heroin. Which is why I eventually deleted the app. I prefer Substack.
But yeah, if you manage to catch the algorithm's favor, it can definitely boost book sales.
This was really helpful Julie, thank you. Like Lee, I just happened to see this post. I've just started out on TikTok - after putting it off for way too long - and I'm facing a steep learning curve.
'Tis funny indeed! I was just fed the post as well. It's super helpful, as I've just set up my TikTok channel and have done 4 videos, each with slightly more views than the last. This was super helpful.
Your posts are so helpful and I save many! In your opinion, when should someone start posting things on BookTok? I have a debut novel coming out in Feb ‘26, but wasn’t sure if I should start posting things there yet?
Thanks, Lindsey! My thought is that for BookTok closer to release is better -- you probably want a pre-order link and for the pub date to not be super far off as I think that can make it harder to get sales (but you might search around to see what other people say about preorders an booktok).
But I think before that you could post other content on TikTok to build up your account. One thing I did was try to post about other people's books that I enjoyed that would have some overlap with the audience for my book and a couple of those took off.
But the other caveat is I don't know what is going to happen with the potential TikTok ban right now. I feel like TikTok can be great because the algorithm can help your book find the right people but things feel a little uncertain on that platform right now. But I know some people duplicate videos to Instagram and TikTok too, which is an option too. In any event, congrats on the upcoming book!
Substack is so funny. It just fed me this post you wrote in Aug, 2022. I read it nevertheless. It felt like it could’ve been written yesterday. Are you still on TikTok?
The Substack algorithm works in mysterious ways. I'm still on TikTok although admittedly not spending a lot of time there. Partially because I'm wondering what will happen with a potential ban. But as of now, it does seem like books can still get seen there.
I had TikTok for a while. Never posted anything, but enjoyed scrolling mindlessly when I had a few minutes. Which inevitably turned into MORE than a few minutes. Because the app is like digital heroin. Which is why I eventually deleted the app. I prefer Substack.
But yeah, if you manage to catch the algorithm's favor, it can definitely boost book sales.
Yep, I prefer Substack too, and I am just trying to spend less time on a lot of social media because of the time suck.
That’s generally a good idea.
This was really helpful Julie, thank you. Like Lee, I just happened to see this post. I've just started out on TikTok - after putting it off for way too long - and I'm facing a steep learning curve.
'Tis funny indeed! I was just fed the post as well. It's super helpful, as I've just set up my TikTok channel and have done 4 videos, each with slightly more views than the last. This was super helpful.
Glad to hear that and wishing you luck with your TikTok journey.
Your posts are so helpful and I save many! In your opinion, when should someone start posting things on BookTok? I have a debut novel coming out in Feb ‘26, but wasn’t sure if I should start posting things there yet?
Thanks, Lindsey! My thought is that for BookTok closer to release is better -- you probably want a pre-order link and for the pub date to not be super far off as I think that can make it harder to get sales (but you might search around to see what other people say about preorders an booktok).
But I think before that you could post other content on TikTok to build up your account. One thing I did was try to post about other people's books that I enjoyed that would have some overlap with the audience for my book and a couple of those took off.
But the other caveat is I don't know what is going to happen with the potential TikTok ban right now. I feel like TikTok can be great because the algorithm can help your book find the right people but things feel a little uncertain on that platform right now. But I know some people duplicate videos to Instagram and TikTok too, which is an option too. In any event, congrats on the upcoming book!
Thank you, Julie! This is helpful! I will definitely take your advice.
Thanks for this very informative post, Julie. I didn't realise you wrote it a few years ago until reading other comments. Still really helpful today.
Glad to hear that! I think a lot of it still applies, although I know things are always changing.
Great post, Julie. Thanks for sharing what you've learned!
Of course. Thanks, Karen!