In a world where trends come and go in the blink of an eye, one social media platform is having a lasting impact on the publishing industry. Enter BookTok, the literary haven of TikTok, where books take center stage and readers become influencers.

BookTok has taken the literary world by storm, with readers and creators alike sharing their love for books through engaging videos. This unique blend of creativity and community has led to a surge in book sales and has publishers rethinking their marketing strategies.

So, what exactly is BookTok and how is it changing the game?

Exploring the BookTok Phenomenon

BookTok is not just a place for book enthusiasts to share their passion, but also a powerful force within the publishing industry. BookTok has been credited for helping authors sell over 20 million books in 2021, according to NPD BookScan data per the New York Times². Some books that became popular on BookTok saw an average 75% spike in sales after promotion on the platform, according to Scribd³. Even Hollywood is taking notice of the BookTok effect, with some of the most popular reads being adapted into movies and TV series, such as “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover and “Daisy Jones & the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid⁴.

So, what makes BookTok so influential and appealing? Here are some of the reasons why BookTok is changing the book industry:

Getting Started with BookTok

To join BookTok and become a part of this vibrant community of book lovers, you can follow these steps:

1. Download TikTok: Start by downloading the TikTok app on your smartphone or tablet. You can find it on your device’s app store.
2. Create an Account: Open the app and create an account. You can do this by providing your email address or phone number. Choose a username that resonates with your personality or the niche you plan to focus on within BookTok.
3. Follow Relevant Hashtags: To discover BookTok content, search for and follow popular or relevant hashtags. Some examples include #booktok, #bookrecommendations, #bookreview, and #bookhaul. This will help you find videos that align with your interests.
4. Follow Creators: Follow BookTok creators who inspire you or share your reading preferences. Some popular BookTok creators to consider following include @aymansbooks, @thebookkech, @kevintnorman, @stonemaidens, and @moonsrarebooks. These creators often share book recommendations, reviews, and creative book-related content.
5. Watch and Learn: Spend some time watching BookTok videos to get a feel for the content and style that resonates with you. This will help you understand what works well on the platform.
6. Create Your Own Content: Armed with your books and creativity, start making your own videos. You can use trending sounds, challenges, or create your unique content. Whether it’s book reviews, recommendations, bookshelf tours, or reading vlogs, BookTok welcomes diverse book-related content.
7. Optimize Your Videos: Use relevant hashtags, captions, and tags to make your videos more discoverable and engaging. This will help others with similar interests find your content.
8. Engage with the Community: Interact with fellow BookTok users by leaving comments, liking videos, duetting (reacting to others’ videos side by side), stitching (responding to videos by adding your own perspective), or messaging them. Building connections within the community can be rewarding and help you grow your following.
9. Enjoy the Community: Lastly, remember to have fun and enjoy your time on BookTok. It’s a platform where book enthusiasts come together to share their love for literature, so embrace the sense of community and passion for books that BookTok offers.

By following these steps, you can become a part of the BookTok community and share your passion for books with a like-minded audience. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just getting started, BookTok offers a platform to connect with others who share your love for literature.

Viral Trends and Challenges on BookTok

One of the features of TikTok is that it allows users to create and join viral trends and challenges based on sounds, songs, or questions. BookTok is no exception, as there are many TikTok book challenges and trends that invite users to show off their book collections, preferences, opinions, and recommendations. For example, some of the popular BookTok challenges are:

• What’s this person reading right now? This challenge asks users to hide the cover of the book they are reading and reveal it at the end of the video.
• You and Your Books. This challenge asks users to answer questions about their reading habits and tastes using a catchy song.
• Sync 30 Photos and Introduce Your Bookstagram Account. This challenge asks users to showcase their book photography skills and promote their Instagram accounts.
• Hyper Specific Book Tag. This challenge asks users to show books that fit certain criteria, such as a book they bought the day it came out or a book that made them feel like the author had crawled inside their brain.

These challenges not only create fun and engaging content for viewers, but also generate buzz and curiosity for the books featured in them. Many users report that they have discovered new books or added them to their reading lists after watching BookTok videos.

Community Building on BookTok

Another reason why BookTok is changing the book industry is that it builds a community of readers who connect with each other over their love of books. BookTok is not just a platform for sharing reviews or recommendations, but also a space for expressing emotions, opinions, jokes, memes, fan art, theories, and more related to books. BookTok allows users to interact with each other through comments, likes, duets, stitches, live streams, and direct messages. Users can also follow their favorite creators or hashtags to stay updated on the latest book news or trends.

BookTok creates a sense of belonging and identity for readers who may feel isolated or misunderstood in their offline environments. Many users say that they have found friends or mentors through BookTok who share their interests and passions. BookTok also fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion by featuring books from different genres, authors, perspectives, and backgrounds. Users can learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives through books.

BookTok’s Impact on Authors and Publishers

A third reason why BookTok is changing the book industry is that it supports authors and publishers by boosting their visibility and sales. BookTok can help authors and publishers reach new audiences who may not be aware of their books or may not have access to them in their local bookstores or libraries. BookTok can also help authors and publishers create loyal fans who will spread word-of-mouth recommendations or buy more of their books.

BookTok can also provide valuable feedback and insights for authors and publishers on what readers like or dislike about their books. Authors and publishers can use this information to improve their writing or marketing strategies. Some authors and publishers have even joined BookTok themselves to interact with their fans or potential readers directly. For example, author Adam Silvera has his own TikTok account where he posts videos about his books or answers questions from his followers.

Must-Reads from BookTok: Top Recommendations

If you are looking for some books to read that are popular or trending on BookTok, here are some of the top 10 BookTok books you should add to your reading list:

Title	Author	Genre	Description
Song of Achilles	Madeline Miller	Historical Fantasy	A retelling of the Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus, the lover of Achilles.
Red White and Royal Blue	Casey McQuiston	Romance	A fake friendship turned romance between the first son of the United States and the prince of England.
The Night and its Moon	Piper C.J.	Fantasy	The first book in a four-part series that touches on subjects such as race, abuse, and LGBTQ+.
The Perfect Marriage	Jeneva Rose	Thriller	A lawyer defends her husband who is accused of murdering his mistress.
Beach Read	Emily Henry	Romance	Two rival authors swap genres and fall in love during a summer at the beach.
The Midnight Library	Matt Haig	Fantasy	A woman who attempts suicide finds herself in a library where she can live different versions of her life.

How to use BookTok for book marketing?

BookTok can be a valuable marketing tool for authors, especially those who write for young adult audiences, as they can reach potential readers, create engaging content, and build relationships with influencers. Here are some tips on how to use BookTok for book marketing:

• Create a TikTok account: The first step is to create a TikTok account and profile that represents your author brand and personality. You can use your name or pen name as your username, and add a catchy bio that describes who you are and what you write. You can also add a link to your website or other social media platforms where people can find more information about you and your books. You can also use your book cover or logo as your profile picture, and customize your profile with colors, fonts, stickers, etc. that match your style and genre.
• Create engaging content: The next step is to create engaging content that showcases your books and attracts your target audience. You can use various types of videos, such as book trailers, book teasers, book excerpts, book reviews, book summaries, book comparisons, book recommendations, book quizzes, book challenges, book trends, etc. You can also use various effects, filters, stickers, music, sounds, captions, hashtags, etc. that enhance your videos and make them more appealing and fun. You can also use humor, emotion, suspense, curiosity, etc. to hook your viewers and make them want to read your books. You can also show your personality and voice as an author and connect with your viewers on a personal level.
• Post regularly: The next step is to post regularly and consistently on TikTok to maintain your presence and visibility on the platform. You can use a content calendar or planner to schedule your posts ahead of time and ensure that you have a variety of content to offer. You can also use analytics tools or features to track the performance of your posts and see what works best for your audience. You can also experiment with different times and days of the week to post your videos and see when you get the most views and engagement. You can also follow the trends and challenges that are popular on BookTok and join them if they are relevant to your books or genre.
• Build relationships: The final step is to build relationships with other BookTokers and influencers who can help you promote your books and reach a wider audience. You can interact with other BookTokers by following them, liking their videos, commenting on their videos, dueting or stitching their videos, joining their live streams, etc. You can also collaborate with other BookTokers by creating joint videos or campaigns that feature each other’s books or genres. You can also reach out to influential BookTokers who have a large following or authority in your niche or genre and ask them to review or recommend your books to their followers. You can also offer them free copies of your books or other incentives in exchange for their honest feedback or endorsement.

Conclusion

BookTok is a subcommunity on TikTok that focuses on books and literature. It is changing the book industry by creating viral trends and challenges, building a community of readers, supporting authors and publishers, and influencing book sales and adaptations. If you want to join BookTok, you can follow some tips on how to get started and check out some of the most popular BookTok books to read.

BookTok is not only a fun and entertaining way to enjoy books, but also a powerful and innovative way to promote books. Whether you are a reader, an author, or a publisher, you can benefit from BookTok in many ways. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your books, your phone, and your creativity, and join the BookTok revolution!

BookTok FAQs

1. What is the TikTok algorithm and how does it affect BookTok videos?

• The TikTok algorithm determines video distribution and exposure on the app. It considers user engagement, hashtags, sounds, and more. It affects BookTok videos by deciding their visibility on the For You page (FYP).

2. How can I find BookTok videos or creators to follow?

• Use TikTok’s search function and hashtags like #booktok, #bookrecommendations, or #bookreview. Browse videos and follow creators like @aymansbooks, @thebookkech, and @kevintnorman.

3. How can I make my own BookTok videos or start my own BookTok account?

• Download TikTok, create an account, choose a username, and start making videos about books. Use relevant hashtags and engage with other users to grow your presence.

4. How does BookTok influence book sales and adaptations?

• BookTok creates buzz around books, leading to increased sales and even adaptations. Some books have seen a 75% sales spike after going viral on BookTok. Examples include “Song of Achilles” and “Red White and Royal Blue.”

5. How can I support authors and publishers on BookTok?

• Support authors and publishers by buying books from reputable sources, leaving reviews, following their social media accounts, and engaging with their content. Some authors, like Adam Silvera, are active on BookTok.