How to Sell More Books With Just 20 Minutes a Day
By Timothy Foster, Founder of Market Your Industry (MYI)
Every author I’ve ever worked with has said some version of the same thing:
“I know I need to market my book… but I don’t have the time.”
Listen — I get it.
Most authors are juggling family, jobs, deadlines, and real life. You didn’t become a writer because you wanted to run a full-time marketing department.
But here’s the truth:
You can grow your audience, sell more books, and build real momentum —
in just 20 minutes a day.
You don’t need 3-hour content planning sessions.
You don’t need to post 10 times a day.
You don’t need massive budgets.
What you do need is consistency, clarity, and a simple daily routine that works.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
1. Start With the One Thing Readers Care About Most: Story
Not your story — their story.
The story they want to experience when they pick up your book.
You only need a few minutes to share something that builds connection, like:
A line from your book
A piece of inspiration behind a character
A moment that shaped your writing
A quote that reflects your book’s message
A quick teaser that sparks curiosity
Readers don’t need long essays from you.
They need something that makes them feel closer to your world.
Spend 3 minutes posting one meaningful thing that draws them in.
2. Use Short-Form Video to Stop the Scroll
You don’t need a studio.
You don’t need fancy equipment.
You don’t even need to show your face if you don’t want to.
You do need motion — that’s what stops people from scrolling.
Spend 7 minutes creating a quick video:
Flip through your book
Show your writing space
Capture a moody visual that matches your genre
Pair a quote with trending audio
Share a one-sentence hook
Clip a few seconds from your book trailer
Even a 6–10 second clip counts.
Remember:
Short-form video is the #1 way readers discover new authors in 2025–2026.
3. Engage With Readers and the Community
This step is where the magic happens.
Spend 5 minutes:
Replying to comments
Leaving thoughtful replies on bookish posts
Engaging with BookTok/Bookstagram creators
Sharing someone else’s post (authors who share get shared)
Thanking a reader who tagged you
Commenting on a video that fits your genre
Why it matters:
Social media rewards conversations, not broadcasts.
Every time you engage, you signal to the algorithm:
“Hey, I’m here, I’m active, and I’m part of this community.”
That signal expands your reach far more than posting alone.
4. Make One Simple Ask
Spend your final 5 minutes making a tiny, easy request of your audience:
Ask for a follow
Ask readers to share your post
Ask them to join your email list
Ask them to leave a review
Ask if they’d like a sneak peek of your next chapter
Ask if they want you to make a special video
Ask them to recommend similar books
Readers want to support authors they feel connected to —
you just need to invite them in.
What This 20-Minute Routine Creates Over Time
If you did nothing else but follow this simple routine, here’s what would happen over 30 days:
Your visibility would grow
Your engagement would grow
Your follower count would grow
Your email list would grow
Your book page visits would grow
Your sales would grow
Not because you’re doing more…
…but because you’re doing the right things, consistently.
Marketing is not about intensity.
It’s about frequency + intention.
Twenty minutes a day gives you both.
The Most Important Lesson: Your Book Doesn’t Need More Time — It Needs More Consistency
If you can’t spend hours every day promoting your book, that’s okay.
But your book still deserves to be seen.
A simple 20-minute routine:
builds your brand
strengthens your relationship with readers
keeps your book visible
keeps you top of mind
stops you from fading into the noise
positions you as an active, engaged author
creates sales momentum over time
Twenty minutes a day is enough.
It truly is.
And if you pair this routine with a strong cinematic book trailer or short promo video, your visibility multiplies even faster — because now you have an asset that works for you even when you’re not online.
Small effort.
Big payoff.
That’s the goal.
