Many authors put most of their marketing energy into their newest book. However, that often means overlooking one of the most reliable ways to increase long-term book sales: your backlist.
Your backlist includes every book you’ve published before your most recent release. These books are already written, edited, and available for purchase, which makes them some of the easiest assets to market. When promoted strategically, backlist titles can continue attracting new readers, boosting income, and strengthening your author platform over time.
In this post, you’ll learn 12 easy ways to promote your backlist using practical, low-effort book marketing strategies that work for both indie and traditionally published authors. Whether you’re self-published or working with a publisher, these backlist promotion ideas will help you market older books more effectively—without burnout.
12 Easy Ways to Promote Your Backlist
1. How to Promote Your Backlist by Mentioning Older Books in New Promotions
One of the easiest ways to learn how to promote your backlist is to reference older books when marketing new ones. Usually, when readers come across your newest book, they want to read more of your work. Mentioning related backlist books guides them to your older books, and potentially extra sales.
2. Promote Older Books by Creating a Clear Reading Order
Creating a clear reading order helps promote older books by reducing confusion for new readers. Having a reading order is like a suggested starting point, which makes it easier for readers to choose a book and continue through your backlist.
3. Refresh Book Descriptions as a Backlist Book Marketing Strategy
Refreshing your book descriptions is an effective backlist book marketing strategy because it improves clarity, relevance, and discoverability. Small updates to your opening hook or keywords can help market older books to today’s readers.
4. Use Your Newsletter for Backlist Promotion Strategies
Your email list is a great place to carry out backlist promotion strategies. Featuring one older title at a time allows you to reintroduce books to subscribers who may not have seen them when they were first released.
5. Share Excerpts and Quotes as Easy Backlist Marketing Content
Sharing excerpts or quotes is another easy way to promote your backlist without creating new material. These short pieces of content highlight the value of your backlist books and encourage readers to learn more.
6. Repurpose Existing Content to Market Older Books
Repurposing blog posts, emails, or social media content is a practical way to learn how to market older books. Existing content can be refreshed and tied back to relevant backlist titles with little effort.
7. Create a “Start Here” Guide for New Readers
A “Start Here” guide is an author marketing strategy that helps new readers navigate your backlist. By clearly recommending a first book, you remove decision fatigue and increase the likelihood of continued engagement.
8. Update Back Matter to Sell More Backlist Books
Updating your back matter is an often-overlooked way to sell more backlist books. Adding links and recommendations at the end of each book encourages readers to move directly to another title.
9. Tie Backlist Titles to Seasons or Timely Topics
Seasonal connections support evergreen book marketing by giving older titles renewed relevance. Tying your backlist books to holidays, themes, or life stages keeps them visible throughout the year.
10. Pin and Highlight Backlist Titles on Your Website
Pinning and highlighting backlist titles on your website is one of the most effective book marketing tips for authors. Featured books help new visitors quickly understand what you offer and where to begin.
11. Bundle Related Backlist Titles for Increased Visibility
Creating bundles is one of the most practical book marketing ideas for indie authors. Grouping related backlist titles increases perceived value and introduces readers to more of your work at once.
12. Answer Reader Questions Using Your Backlist Content
Using your backlist to answer reader questions is a low-effort book marketing strategy that builds authority. When your books address real questions, they become natural recommendations rather than sales pitches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backlist Promotion
What is a backlist in publishing?
A backlist refers to all the books an author has published before their most recent release. These older titles remain available for sale and can continue generating income when promoted strategically.
Why is backlist book marketing important for authors?
Backlist book marketing is important because it allows authors to earn from books that are already written and published. Promoting older books helps increase long-term sales, attract new readers, and build a sustainable author platform.
How can I promote my backlist without spending a lot of time?
You can promote your backlist by mentioning older books in new promotions, sharing excerpts, refreshing book descriptions, and repurposing existing content. These are low-effort book marketing strategies that are effective and easy to maintain.
How often should you promote your backlist?
There is no fixed rule, but many authors benefit from featuring one backlist title every few weeks. Consistent, gentle promotion keeps older books visible without overwhelming readers.
Does backlist promotion work for both fiction and nonfiction authors?
Yes. Backlist promotion works for both fiction and nonfiction authors. Fiction writers can guide readers through series or themes, while nonfiction authors can connect older books to current questions or seasonal topics.
How do I sell more backlist books as an indie author?
To sell more backlist books as an indie author, focus on clarity and accessibility. Create a clear reading order, update back matter with links, highlight books on your website, and guide new readers to a recommended starting point.
Is backlist promotion only for authors with many books?
No. Even authors with two books have a backlist. If you’ve published more than one title, promoting older books helps readers discover more of your work and increases overall sales potential.
Can backlist promotion help new readers find my work?
Yes. Backlist promotion helps new readers by giving them multiple entry points into your catalog. A clear “start here” recommendation reduces confusion and encourages continued reading.
How does backlist promotion support long-term book sales?
Backlist promotion supports long-term book sales by keeping older titles relevant and noticeable. This evergreen book marketing approach helps authors build momentum over time rather than relying only on new releases.
What is the easiest way to start promoting your backlist today?
The easiest way to start promoting your backlist is to choose one older book and take one small action—such as sharing a quote, updating the description, or mentioning it in a newsletter or post.
Final Thoughts
Your backlist is not something to revisit only when sales are slow or a new book launches. It is a long-term asset that can support your writing career consistently when given regular attention.
The key to effective backlist promotion is simplicity. You do not need complex marketing systems or constant promotions. Small, intentional actions—done consistently—help readers discover your older books and encourage them to keep reading.
If you have more than one book published, you already have a backlist worth promoting. Start with one title, choose one strategy, and build from there. Over time, these easy backlist marketing efforts can lead to stronger visibility, steady sales, and a more sustainable author platform.
More to Read
- What Is a Backlist
- We Need to Talk About the Backlist
- Authors Guild Members Show Importance of Backlist and Back-in-Print Book Sales
