How to Self-Publish Series: How to Keep Selling Your Book Long After Launch

So you launched your book. You posted, you emailed, you celebrated…so, now what?

One of the biggest myths in self-publishing is that all of the sales happen during launch week. In reality, most authors who sell consistently are playing a long game, and the launch is just the beginning.

Let’s talk about how to keep your book selling months—and even years—after release.

The Power of Evergreen Marketing

Evergreen marketing means creating content, systems, and pathways that continue working without you constantly pushing. Instead of one big promotion spike, evergreen content creates a slow, steady stream of new readers.

Here are a few examples of evergreen assets:

• Blog posts optimized for SEO (“Books for Fans of Colleen Hoover,” “Best Cozy Mystery Novels of 2025,” etc.)

• Podcast interviews that link your book in the show notes

• A pinned TikTok/Reel telling people what your book is about

• An Amazon Author Page optimized with keywords, bio, and editorial reviews

• Email onboarding sequences that mention the book in multiple emails

• BookBub, Goodreads, and StoryGraph profiles kept fresh and updated

Remember: The average reader doesn’t buy a book the first time they see it. People need reminders, social proof, and repeated exposure. Evergreen keeps your book discoverable long after the initial hype fades.

Run Limited-Time Promos (Without Discounting Your Worth)

Promotions are a powerful strategy for ongoing visibility.

Here are some ideas that work:

• Price drop for 24-72 hours with a BookBub or newsletter swap

• Seasonal sales (summer reads, holiday gifting, Valentine’s Day romance, etc.)

• Signed-copy giveaways on Instagram, Threads, or TikTok

• Bundle: “Buy 2, gift 1” if you have multiple books

• Bonus content (“Leave a review and get a deleted scene or bonus epilogue”)

Promos create urgency; even readers who have seen your book before are more likely to buy now if there's a limited window.

You don’t need to discount constantly. You just need the occasional spark to wake up the algorithm and bring new readers in.

Expand Into New Formats: Audiobooks, Large Print, Foreign Rights

If you want long-term sales, the easiest strategy is to meet readers in multiple formats.

Audiobooks

Audiobooks are the fastest-growing segment of publishing. You can:

• Narrate it yourself (if nonfiction or memoir)

• Hire a narrator through ACX or Findaway Voices

• Distribute to Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, and libraries

For some authors, audiobooks outsell their print and ebook combined.

Foreign Rights

You don’t need a traditional publisher to sell foreign rights. Instead: 

• Work with a literary agent who specializes in rights deals

• Pitch foreign publishers directly

• Sell translation rights through platforms like PublishDrive or Babelcube

One international deal can create a whole new revenue stream—and new readers who would never have found you.

Large Print/Special Editions

• Large print for libraries and older audiences

• Special edition hardcovers for superfans

• Holiday or collector’s editions drive repeat purchases

Every new format equals new discoverability.

A successful book isn’t one that sells for one week. It’s one that stays alive.

When you combine evergreen marketing, smart promotions, and additional formats, your book can keep selling for years. That’s the beauty of self-publishing. Your book never goes “out of print,” and you control how long it lives.