8 Steps to Launch Your First Virtual Book Tour: A Side Hustle Guide for Aspiring Authors

Virtual book tours are changing how authors connect with readers.

You can talk to fans from your own home, without the hassle of travel.

It’s a great way to spread the word about your book and make some extra money on the side.

A virtual book tour lets you reach more people and sell more books. You don’t need a big budget or lots of time.

With some planning and the right steps, you can set up a tour that works for you.

Let’s look at how to get started with your first virtual book tour.

1) Research Author Platforms

Starting a virtual book tour can be a fun side hustle for aspiring authors.

To kick things off, you need to find the right places to showcase your work.

Look for popular book blogs and websites that match your genre.

These platforms often host author interviews, book reviews, and guest posts.

Social media is another great option.

Check out Facebook groups, Instagram accounts, and Twitter hashtags related to books and reading.

Don’t forget about podcasts! Many book-lovers host shows where they chat with authors about their latest releases.

YouTube channels dedicated to book reviews and author interviews can also be goldmines for your virtual tour.

Make a list of potential platforms as you go.

Jot down their contact info and any submission guidelines they might have.

Pay attention to the audience size and engagement levels of each platform.

You want to reach as many potential readers as possible.

Consider the types of content each platform prefers.

Some might want written posts, while others may ask for video or audio content.

Keep an eye out for any upcoming virtual book events or online literary festivals.

These can be great opportunities to connect with readers and other authors.

Remember, the goal is to find platforms that align with your book’s theme and target audience.

This way, you’ll be more likely to connect with readers who’ll love your work.

2) Create a Compelling Book Blurb

A book blurb is your ticket to grab readers’ attention.

It’s a short description that makes people want to buy your book.

Think of it as a mini-ad for your side hustle.

To write a great blurb, start with a hook.

This could be a question or a bold statement that grabs attention.

Make it something that makes readers curious about your book.

Next, give a taste of your story without giving away too much.

Tease the main conflict or theme.

You want to leave readers wanting more.

Highlight the main character or the big idea of your book.

What makes your story unique? This is your chance to stand out from other books.

Keep it short and snappy.

Aim for about 150 words.

Remember, you’re not telling the whole story, just enough to make people interested.

Use strong, vivid language.

Pick words that create images in readers’ minds.

This helps them connect with your book right away.

End with a call to action.

Invite readers to dive into your world or solve the mystery.

Make them feel like they can’t miss out on your book.

Remember to proofread.

A blurb with errors looks unprofessional.

Ask a friend to read it over and give feedback.

With a great blurb, you’re one step closer to making your virtual book tour a success.

It’s an important tool in your side hustle toolkit.

3) Design Eye-Catching Graphics

You want your virtual book tour to grab attention.

Great graphics can help you do that.

Think about making some cool images to promote your book and tour.

Start with your book cover.

Make sure it looks awesome in digital form.

You might need to tweak it a bit for online use.

Create some banners for social media.

These can showcase your book and tour dates.

Use bright colors and eye-catching fonts to make them pop.

Don’t forget about making graphics for each tour stop.

You can include the host’s name and the date of your appearance.

This makes it easy for fans to keep track.

Consider making a few quote graphics from your book.

Pick some catchy lines and pair them with nice backgrounds.

These are super shareable on social media.

If you’re not great with design, no worries.

There are lots of easy-to-use tools out there. Canva is a popular choice for beginners.

Remember, your graphics should match your book’s vibe.

If you wrote a spooky thriller, go for dark and moody.

For a fun romance, try bright and bubbly.

With some cool graphics, you’ll catch more eyes and maybe sell more books.

Plus, it’s a fun way to flex your creative muscles outside of writing.

4) Set Up a Virtual Tour Schedule

Planning your virtual book tour schedule is key to making it a success.

You’ll want to spread out your events over a few weeks or months to keep the buzz going.

Start by deciding how many stops you want on your tour.

Aim for 10-15 stops to start.

This gives you plenty of exposure without getting overwhelming.

Next, reach out to potential hosts and pitch your book.

Ask if they’d be willing to feature you on their blog or podcast.

Make sure to give them a few date options.

Once you have confirmations, it’s time to build your calendar.

Spread out your events so you have 2-3 per week.

This keeps things manageable while maintaining momentum.

Don’t forget to add your tour schedule to your website.

This lets fans know where to find you and builds excitement.

Consider mixing up the types of events you do.

You could do blog interviews, podcast appearances, and live Q&A sessions.

This variety keeps things interesting for you and your audience.

Remember to leave some wiggle room in your schedule.

You might get last-minute opportunities or need to reschedule.

Having some flexibility will reduce stress.

With your schedule set, you’re ready to start prepping for each stop on your tour.

Get excited – you’re about to share your book with the world!

5) Engage with Influencers

Reaching out to influencers can boost your virtual book tour’s success.

Look for bloggers, bookstagrammers, and YouTubers who love your genre.

Make a list of potential influencers to contact.

Check their follower count and engagement rates.

You want quality over quantity.

Craft a personalized pitch for each influencer.

Tell them why you think their audience would enjoy your book.

Offer a free copy in exchange for an honest review or feature.

Don’t just ask for a review.

Get creative with your collaboration ideas.

You could do a Q&A session, a guest blog post, or even a live reading on their platform.

Remember to be professional and respectful.

Influencers get lots of requests, so stand out by being genuine and friendly.

Follow up if you don’t hear back, but don’t be pushy.

A polite reminder after a week is usually okay.

When an influencer agrees to work with you, make it easy for them.

Send all the info they need about your book, including high-quality images and links.

After the feature or review, thank the influencer.

Share their post with your followers too.

This can lead to long-term relationships for future book launches.

Engaging with influencers can be a fun way to spread the word about your book.

It’s like having a team of cheerleaders rooting for your success!

6) Host Live Online Readings

Live online readings are a great way to connect with your readers.

You can share your work and chat with fans from the comfort of your home.

It’s perfect for your book tour side hustle!

Facebook Live is a popular choice for virtual book events.

It’s free and easy to use.

Plus, lots of people already have Facebook accounts.

You can also try YouTube Live for your readings.

It’s another free option that many folks are familiar with.

You might want to use streaming software to make your video look more professional.

Pick a cozy spot in your house for the reading.

Make sure you have good lighting and a clear background.

Test your camera and microphone before you start.

Choose an exciting part of your book to read.

Practice a few times so you feel confident.

Don’t forget to leave time for questions from your audience.

Promote your live reading on social media.

Tell your followers when and where to tune in.

You can even create a Facebook event to remind people.

During the reading, engage with your viewers.

Respond to comments and answer questions.

This personal touch will make your fans feel special.

After the event, save the video.

You can share it later for those who missed the live stream.

It’s a great way to keep the buzz going about your book.

7) Offer Exclusive Previews

Want to get readers excited about your book? Give them a sneak peek! Offering exclusive previews is a great way to build buzz for your virtual book tour.

You can share a short chapter or an interesting excerpt from your book.

This gives potential readers a taste of your writing style and story.

Think about creating a special PDF with the first few pages of your book.

You can send this to people who sign up for your mailing list.

Another idea is to do a live reading of a section during one of your virtual tour stops.

This adds a personal touch and lets readers hear your voice.

You might also consider sharing some behind-the-scenes content.

This could be early drafts, character sketches, or your writing process.

Don’t forget to make these previews feel special.

You can add a custom cover page or include a personal note to your readers.

Remember, the goal is to leave them wanting more.

Choose sections that will hook readers and make them eager to buy your book.

Offering exclusive previews can be a fun way to connect with your audience.

It’s also a great side hustle to promote your book and build your author brand.

8) Organize Giveaways and Contests

Want to boost excitement for your virtual book tour? Try running some fun giveaways and contests! These can be a great way to engage readers and drum up interest in your book.

Pick prizes that relate to your book’s theme.

Maybe signed copies, character-inspired merch, or gift cards to bookstores.

The cooler the prizes, the more folks will want to join in.

Keep the rules simple.

Ask people to share your book’s post, tag friends, or answer a trivia question about your story.

Easy peasy!

Social media is perfect for this.

Use platforms like Instagram or Facebook to spread the word.

Create eye-catching graphics to announce your contests.

Don’t forget to set a time limit.

A week-long contest can build buzz without dragging on too long.

It’ll keep people checking back for updates.

Consider partnering with book bloggers or influencers.

They can help spread the word about your giveaways to their followers.

Remember, these contests can be a fun side hustle too.

You might gain new readers who’ll buy your other books or merch down the line.

Make sure to follow through with sending prizes promptly.

Happy winners often become loyal fans and spread the word about your book.

Choosing the Right Platform

Picking the perfect platform for your virtual book tour can make or break your event.

You’ll want to find something that’s easy to use and lets you connect with readers.

Comparing Virtual Tour Services

Zoom is great for big crowds.

It lets you chat face-to-face with up to 100 people for free.

You can share your screen to show book covers or read excerpts.

Facebook Live is awesome if you already have a following there.

It’s free and super easy to use.

Plus, people can watch the replay later.

Instagram Live works well for shorter chats.

It’s perfect if your readers are younger.

You can even bring on guest speakers.

YouTube Live is cool for longer events.

It’s free and lets you reach a huge audience.

Your tour video stays up forever, so new readers can find it anytime.

Setting Up a User-Friendly Interface

Keep it simple! Choose a platform you’re comfy with.

If you’re not tech-savvy, stick to Facebook or Instagram Live.

Test everything before the big day.

Make sure your mic works and your lighting looks good.

A bad connection can ruin your tour.

Create a clear timeline for your event.

Plan when you’ll read, answer questions, and do any fun activities.

Have a friend join as a test viewer.

They can tell you if anything looks weird on their end.

Remember, the easier it is for readers to join and watch, the more fun everyone will have!

Engaging Your Audience

Getting people excited about your virtual book tour is key.

You’ll want to create buzz and keep readers interested throughout the event.

Creating Interactive Sessions

Make your virtual book tour fun and lively.

Try hosting Q&A sessions where readers can ask you questions.

You could also do live readings from your book.

This gives fans a chance to hear your words in your own voice.

Set up polls or quizzes about your book’s characters or plot.

Readers love to test their knowledge.

You might even offer small prizes for winners.

Consider holding a virtual book club meeting.

Pick a chapter to discuss with fans.

This lets readers dive deeper into your story with you.

Using Social Media for Promotion

Social media is your best friend for a virtual book tour.

Post teasers and snippets from your book on Instagram or Twitter.

Use eye-catching graphics to grab attention.

Create a unique hashtag for your tour.

Encourage fans to use it when they post about your book.

This helps spread the word and builds community.

Go live on Facebook or Instagram to chat with readers.

Share behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process.

People love feeling like they’re getting exclusive content.

Don’t forget to thank those who join your tour stops.

A little appreciation goes a long way in building loyal fans.