How to Sell More Books During the Holidays

It’s officially the “ber” months (September, October, November, and December) and publishers are getting ready for the top sales months of the year. Surveys revealed that nearly 50% of U.S. customers start their holiday shopping during or before the month of October; therefore, it’s extremely important to begin updating your titles for the holiday season as soon as possible!?

Given that over 60% of shoppers purchase their holiday gifts online, updating and perfecting your metadata for the holiday season is CRUCIAL! There are many ways you can cater your titles to become more discoverable and enticing during the holiday season. We’ve put together a quick list of ideas to help book publishers increase their holiday sales this year.?

Ho-Ho-Holiday Keywords for a Bestseller Sleigh Ride!

Easily overlooked but often the most important metadata to update for the holiday season. Holiday-themed keywords should take priority during these months; be sure not to bury them at the bottom of your list. You don’t want to risk marketplaces dropping them off your keyword list and missing out on all the top searches from consumers.?

Your keywords will differ depending on your titles, but here are some ideas for keywords commonly used by shoppers in search engines during the holiday season.?

• Gifts for women / men / children / teenagers
• Christmas gifts for her / him
• Christmas gift ideas
• Christmas budget
• Cheap Christmas presents
• Christmas recipes
• Stocking stuffers

Also! Don’t forget about incorporating Fall/Halloween-themed keywords for any books that feature fall-related themes.?

• Fall recipes
• Thanksgiving recipes
• Ghost story
• Halloween Children’s book
• Spooky book
• Fall reads

Create Festive Secondary Images

Add a bit of Christmas cheer to your product image! As more shoppers turn to online platforms for their gift purchases, it’s essential to have eye-catching images that stand out. Here are some creative ways to spruce up your holiday secondary images:

• Wrap Your Book — Add a Christmas bow to your book cover to digitally wrap it. This simple touch allows your product to stand out against the competition and easily be created through Canva, a free and user-friendly design tool.
• Place a cute Santa Hat in the top corner of your book image for a playful holiday touch.? Also easily accomplished with Canva.?
• Add festive lights around your book cover to make it an enticing holiday choice!
• Design a virtual gift tag featuring a holiday message or special offer, like “Perfect Holiday Read” or “A Gift for You.”
• Holiday Background — Feature your book against a cozy holiday scene, like in front of a crackling fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa or next to a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. This can help convey the warmth and joy of the season, making your book more appealing.?

Include Holiday Hashtags

Social media posts with hashtags receive higher engagement than those without, and the holidays are the perfect time to take advantage of that. According to a post from Jane Friedman’s blog , here are some holiday hashtags that have stood the test of time. Consider including the current year to make your hashtags more timely:?

• #ChristmasReading
• #ChristmasPresents
• #ChristmasTraditions
• #ChristmasMood
• #ChristmasShopping
• #ChristmasGiftIdeas
• #StockingStuffer
• #WishList
• #HolidayRomance
• #TisTheSeason
• #SeasonsGreetings
• #ChristmasShopping
• #BlackFriday
• #CyberMonday

The holiday season presents a golden opportunity for publishers to boost their book sales and reach new audiences. With thoughtful planning and creative execution, you can capture the holiday spirit and maximize your book sales, ensuring your titles stand out amid the seasonal hustle and bustle.?

Happy holidays and happy selling!