I get it—launching your book digitally can feel like shouting into an empty void. Setting up an online book tour without a clear roadmap can be nerve-wracking and frustrating.
But don’t sweat it! Stick around, because I’m about to walk you through a step-by-step process that’ll show you how to plan an online book tour that people actually come to, enjoy, and talk about afterwards.
Ready to turn your digital launch into a fun, buzz-worthy event? Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- Set a clear schedule and coordinate ahead with platform hosts, bloggers, and influencers—include interactive activities like Q&As or book readings.
- Pick platforms readers use most—such as Facebook Live, YouTube, Instagram, or book blogs, and offer a mix of live-streamed and recorded content.
- Partner with authors or bookstores to gain more viewers through joint events, social media promotions, and giveaways.
- Keep your content fun, interactive, and varied—short readings, quizzes, or creative live activities help keep attendees engaged throughout.
- Encourage reviews by directly and politely prompting your audience to share feedback or offer incentives like giveaways.
- Upload event recordings afterwards to platforms like YouTube so readers can watch later, increasing your book’s ongoing visibility.
Step 1: Set Up Your Virtual Book Tour
First off, setting up a virtual book tour means organizing online appearances on various websites, social media platforms, or digital newsletters. Think of it like a traditional book promotion but without moving from your comfy couch.
Start by planning the duration and number of events you want to include—typically, successful tours run for about two weeks to a month. Make a clear schedule and contact hosts like bloggers, podcasters, and influencers a couple of months in advance, giving everyone plenty of time to prepare.
Think beyond just author interviews; try setting up fun activities like live Q&As, virtual signings, or book readings. Author Pierce Brown nailed this approach and got 12,000 unique viewers over five online sessions and even sold an impressive 1.8 books per attendee, with an engagement rating that hit 94% positive feedback!
Make it easy for everyone involved by creating promo materials like branded graphics, short video invites, and posting schedules. If you need inspiration for crafting that perfect pitch or bio, check out some helpful short author bio examples.
Step 2: Pick the Right Online Platforms for Your Tour
Not all platforms are equally good for your virtual tour, so pick wisely to find where your readers like to hang out. Popular choices include Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube, and dedicated book blogs.
Try mixing up platforms to reach different audiences because surprisingly, virtual tours can boost your global fanbase by about 847% compared to traditional bookstore stops!
It’s smart to lean into the popular live-streaming options, as a whopping 84% of people want a virtual way to attend events. But don’t forget about pre-recorded content either, since 64% find value in viewing content on their own schedule.
Also, test run all your tech beforehand—only around 3% of virtual tour participants complain about technical issues, but you don’t want your event to be one of those unlucky few.
Step 3: Partner With Authors and Bookstores to Boost Your Audience
Teaming up with likeminded authors or independent bookstores can expand your reach, build your audience, and create a fun, community vibe.
For instance, if you’re launching a fantasy novel, look for authors in a similar genre or bookstores known for promoting fantasy literature. Reach out directly or use platforms like Goodreads or Instagram to build these connections.
Collaborations can involve joint online events, Instagram takeovers, shout-outs in newsletters, or even combined giveaways. This friendly cross-promotion not only widens your reach but also strengthens your network, giving your book a better chance to catch attention and increase book sales online through platforms like Amazon.
Lastly, make sure to keep communication open and organized so each partner feels appreciated and everything stays hassle-free.
Step 4: Plan Engaging Content That Readers Love
Creating engaging content is what makes people stick around for your virtual book tour—and it doesn’t have to feel like work.
Start by thinking about activities that readers actually enjoy, not the ones that make you yawn (no one wants yet another generic webinar).
For example, schedule interactive sessions like short readings from your book, fun quizzes related to the story, or themed challenges inspired by characters or plot lines.
If you’re feeling adventurous, use some funny writing prompts to create quick impromptu stories together with viewers live—involving them in the creative process can turn casual fans into dedicated readers pretty quickly.
Another tip—keep content length manageable and diversify the format (mix up live streams with shorter, pre-recorded videos or social media “stories” to keep things interesting).
And always encourage interaction by asking people questions and responding live—this helps hold attention, and builds a real connection with your audience.
Step 5: Use Virtual Book Festivals to Reach More People
Virtual book festivals have become a big deal recently and can significantly boost how many people see your book (in fact, virtual events typically reach 312% more attendees than traditional in-person events, and cost 70% less to produce).
Get involved by researching popular online literary festivals like BookConline or YALLSTAYHOME to find an audience interested in your genre.
If your genre is a bit niche–like dystopian fiction—you could even create a themed event yourself, using useful tools like this dystopian plot generator to come up with interactive storytelling games on social media.
Make sure to participate actively in festival discussions and panels, which gets your name and book title in front of lots of new potential readers.
Another practical tip: Have your online author profiles and social media accounts ready and updated, so festival attendees can quickly find and follow you.
Step 6: Encourage Reviews and Conversation During Your Virtual Tour
One big advantage virtual tours have is they encourage reviews and real-time conversations, leading directly to more book sales and genuine reader connections—like Pierce Brown experienced with his virtual tour that averaged 1.8 books per attendee and a stunning 94% positive feedback rate.
How to make it happen?
Ask your viewers directly (in a friendly way, of course) if they liked what they read and prompt them politely to leave an honest review online, especially on Amazon or Goodreads.
You can also host incentivized giveaways where readers post photos and short reviews online for a chance to win signed copies or merchandise.
Be open and conversational during events—encourage chat participants with simple questions like “What did you think about chapter four?” or “Who’s your favorite character and why?”
The more conversation and reviews your virtual tour generates, the more your book’s visibility grows—it’s simple math.
Step 7: Keep Your Tour Recordings Available Online for Ongoing Promotion
You’ve done all that hard work—so why let your virtual event footage disappear after the tour ends?
Keeping recordings of your virtual book tour publicly available (think: YouTube channel playlists, embedded in blog posts, IGTV videos, or your author website) gives you ongoing exposure and continues to draw new readers long after your event ends.
Remember, around 64% of people actually prefer pre-recorded events they can watch at their convenience, so providing permanent recordings caters nicely to those viewers.
To make your recordings stand out, use clear descriptions, SEO-friendly titles that include your book title and relevant keywords, and thumbnails matched to your events’ brand/style.
Pro tip: After each virtual event, post short clips with engaging highlights or funny moments on social media—it’s easy, shareable content that can hook even more viewers and send people back to watch full recordings.
Keeping your virtual tour alive online also lets new readers catch up with your content anytime, steadily growing your readership without extra effort on your part.
FAQs
To choose your best platforms, identify where your target readers usually gather online. Popular options include Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and dedicated book communities like Goodreads. Select 2-3 platforms that align closely with your book genre and audience preferences.
Reach out directly to fellow authors or bookstores already active online. Offer mutual promotional opportunities, such as guest appearances or cross-promotions. This helps expand your audience because each partner introduces you to their existing followers and readers.
Create opportunities for engaging directly, like Q&A sessions or giveaways. Politely ask readers to leave reviews after they attend an event. Making yourself accessible online builds a genuine connection, motivating attendees to actively participate and share feedback.
Absolutely keep your recordings available online. Upload event videos to platforms like YouTube, your website, or social media profiles. These recordings extend your tour impact by allowing new readers to discover and share your book content over time.
