7 BookTok Influencer Marketing Ideas

BookTok, short for Book TikTok, is a group of book lovers who share their affinity for literature on TikTok. They make book recommendations, review plots, introduce readers to new authors, and discuss reading trends using the hashtag #BookTok. Brands in the literary niche can take advantage of the BookTok frenzy by working with influencers. Even brands not in the publishing industry can join the trend with our BookTok influencer marketing ideas.

Research shows:

• Two million posts with #BookTok have garnered eight million views in the last 120 days. 
• Almost 60% of young adults (age 16-25) say BookTok has helped them discover a passion for reading, according to the Publisher’s Association.
• BookTok has one of the largest social communities.

Books that trend on #BookTok get noticed. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hidalgo,” written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, for example, was published in 2017 with little fanfare until it landed in the BookTok community. Years after it was published, the book hit the bestseller list, almost unheard of in the publishing community. 

7 Booktok influencer marketing ideas

Book humor or entertainment

Don’t underestimate the playful side of readers. They like a little humor, too. Consider teaming up with an influencer to add a little levity to a reader’s life. This TikToker points out five things that can irritate readers, like breaking the spine of a book:

An influencer could point out the different types of readers or create a funny book-themed meme. 

Book recommendations

Partner with BookTok influencers to suggest books to their audience. There are so many ways to make book recommendations. For instance, this influencer suggests several book series that she likes:

Influencers could recommend a book in a certain genre, like their favorite thriller, or suggest a favorite book from a particular author. This bibliophile (a fancy name for a book lover) shares book recommendations based on movie preferences. 

Book review

Are you trying to promote a specific book? If so, send the book to an influencer to read and review. If you’re trying to generate excitement about an upcoming book release, be sure to send it to influencers months ahead of the release date to give them enough time to complete their reading mission. 

Need some examples? This book influencer does 60-second book reviews that offer quick plot highlights: 

There are other options, too. This influencer gives book star ratings while this influencer reviews and ranks books by Colleen Hoover, known to BookTok fans as “CoHo.”

Interview an author

One of the best ways for authors to sell books is to make guest appearances. Book signings and workshops are great, but a simple interview with an influencer can garner a lot of engagement. On Mikayla’s Book Nook, she interviews author Frieda McFadden, a practicing physician and thriller writer.

You might assume that only influencers with mega audiences can land interviews with authors, but Mikayla has 35K followers. Authors know book influencers have a direct line to readers, so they’re often willing to talk with micro-influencers.

As with most content, interviews can take many different forms. Mikayla’s interview was 30 minutes, while this book influencer, John Marrs, who has 4K followers, did a 60-second interview with author Colleen Hoover.

Help authors promote their book

If your brand works directly with authors, you could collaborate with an influencer in the niche to offer promotional tips. A book marketing coach shares some promotional ideas to build hype around upcoming releases, for example: 

TikTok is full of marketing help specifically for authors. From tips on working with influencers to marketing hacks for indie authors, you can educate writers on the best ways to reach readers.  

Share a book nook

Ask influencers to share their cozy reading spots. Do they curl up near a fireplace? Do they have a corner of their room dripping in twinkling lights and covered with fluffy pillows? 

This influencer sets up a new reading corner and shows her fans as she puts it together:

Influencers can create a book nook for kids or help them color-coordinate their book shelves.

DIY furniture to store books

Partner with a creative home decor or DIY influencer to share how to restore an old bookcase or create a piece of furniture to store their favorite books.

If your brand has ties to the book world, it’s time to join the BookTok revolution. Search for the perfect book influencer on IZEA Marketplace to get your campaign underway.