You’ve written the book. You’ve edited it, formatted it, and uploaded it to your platform of choice. You’ve made a few Instagram posts, scheduled some promo emails, and maybe even joined a few Facebook author groups.

And then… crickets.

Unfortunately, this is where many debut authors hit a wall. Not because their book isn’t good. Not because their cover isn’t beautiful. But because they’ve only shared it with their followers, and not their network.

Let’s talk about the difference—and how using your full network is one of the best launch strategies you already have access to.

Followers vs. Network: What’s the Difference?

Your followers are the people who are aware of your author persona online. They might know you from TikTok, Instagram, your newsletter, or a book group.

Your network is everyone else who knows you in real life:

Friends
Family
Coworkers
Church or community groups
Book clubs
Former classmates
Your hairdresser, your chiropractor, your barista, your mail carrier
Fellow writers or published authors you know personally

These are the people who already like and trust you—and they often want to support you, they just don’t know how. You have to tell them.

Why Sharing With Your Network Matters

Your network is your foundational audience. If you're self-publishing, you don't have a publishing house pushing your book out into the world. You are the PR team, the marketing director, the social media manager, and the author.

That doesn’t mean you have to be on every platform every day. It means you need to build excitement and awareness from the ground up. Start with who already knows you.

Here’s why your personal network is so powerful:

They’re loyal.
People who care about you want you to succeed.
They’re likely to share.
A friend who buys your book is also more likely to tell three other people about it.
They normalize your work.
When people see you showing up consistently, they begin to take your author career seriously.
They can become super fans.
A few enthusiastic supporters from your inner circle can do more than 10K passive Instagram followers.

How to Share Your Book With Your Network

You don’t need to turn into a door-to-door salesperson. Think of this as building genuine excitement and inviting people into your journey.

Here are some easy ways to start:

Send a personal text or DM

Something as simple as “Hey! I just released my book and wanted to share in case you’d be interested!” can go a long way.

Email your contacts

Don’t worry if you don’t have a fancy email list yet. Send a personal note to a few dozen people you know, especially those who love to read.

Talk about your book in conversation

Next time someone asks, “What have you been up to?” don’t downplay it. Say: “Actually, I published a book recently!”

Celebrate publicly

Post about your writing journey on your personal Facebook, not just your author page. Share the ups and downs, and let people be part of it.

Gift or donate your book

Bring it to your local library, your hair salon, your dentist’s waiting room. Let people see it and talk about it.

Yes, It’s Okay to Talk About Yourself

I know… promoting your work can feel awkward. But this is your career, your business, your dream. If you don’t share it, who will?

You don’t have to be pushy or salesy. You just need to be proud. The people who know you are more likely to care, and more likely to help spread the word.

The Ripple Effect of Telling Everyone

Imagine this:
You tell your book club about your release.
Someone in the group shares it with their cousin.
That cousin reads it and posts about it on Instagram.
Their friend picks it up and writes a review.
That review leads to two more people buying the book.

This is how momentum builds.

It all starts with you telling your book club. Or literally anyone in your circle.

The Importance of Sharing Your Book with Your Network (Not Just Your Followers)

When Visibility Feels Vulnerable

Here’s the truth: many authors stay small because visibility is scary. Putting yourself out there means opening yourself up to opinions, criticism, and judgment.

But it also means giving people the opportunity to cheer you on. It means your dream doesn’t have to be a secret. It means building a community that believes in your work as much as you do.

Don’t let fear keep you from taking up space. You’re allowed to show up fully as an author and invite others to come along for the ride.

A Strategic Start: Make a List

If this all feels overwhelming, start with a list of 25 people or 2-10 people. Think of everyone who might be excited to hear about your book. Then, one by one, reach out.

You don’t need a huge audience to make an impact. You just need the courage to talk about your work.

Bonus Tip: Ask for the Share

When you do tell people about your book, don’t be afraid to say:
“If you enjoy it, I’d love it if you left a review or shared it with a friend.”

People often want to help but don’t know how. Make it easy and clear.

Your Book Deserves to Be Seen

Publishing a book is a massive accomplishment. Don’t let it sit quietly on Amazon, hoping to be found. Stand behind your work, share it with your people, and trust that your story has value.

The more you tell others, the more your book will make its way into the hands—and hearts—of readers.

If you’re unsure how to organize a book launch, build your network, or create a plan for sustainable marketing, that’s what I’m here for. Inside the Story Flow Collective, I walk authors through every part of the process, from writing to release day and beyond.

Join the waitlist or reach out with questions. I’d love to support your journey!

P.S. Letters From Story Flow is your bi-weekly resource for authors who are ready to grow their careers with clarity and ease—without relying on hustle-heavy strategies that don’t feel like you.

If you're ready to build a sustainable author business, connect with readers, and get expert guidance that actually meets you where you are, click here to join me!

The Importance of Sharing Your Book with Your Network (Not Just Your Followers)