9 Best Social Media Marketing Tips for Independent Bookstores to Attract More Readers
- Hookle
- May 31
- 6 min read
Table of Contents
Bonus Tip: Manage All Your Socials in One App
In today’s digital world, independent bookstores need more than just beautifully curated shelves and passionate staff to thrive. A strong social media strategy can help attract new readers, engage loyal customers, and build a vibrant community around your store.
A strong social media strategy helps attract new readers and build a vibrant community
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your efforts to the next level, these practical tips will help boost your online visibility and drive more foot traffic.
But before we dive into the tips, let’s walk through some key basics of social media marketing for bookstores.
What is Social Media Marketing for Bookstores?
Social media marketing for bookstores is all about building an inviting and engaging online presence that resonates with your community of readers. It includes sharing new arrivals, promoting author events, highlighting customer reviews, and offering book recommendations or reading inspiration.
Social media marketing is all about building online presence that resonates with your readers
With the help of tools - especially AI - scheduling posts and curating content becomes easier, allowing bookstore owners to focus on delivering great customer experiences while effortlessly increasing visibility and growing their business.
What Platforms Are Best for Bookstores?
Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are excellent choices for independent bookstores. These visual platforms are ideal for showcasing beautiful book displays, sharing behind-the-scenes content from your shop, and featuring happy customers or reading recommendations.
TikTok also offers a great opportunity to share fun book-related content like quick reviews, literary trends, or cozy reading nooks. And whether you have a physical store or operate online, maintaining a Google Business Profile will enhance your online credibility and help local readers find you more easily.
Start with one or two platforms, master them, and expand as you grow
The key is to start with one or two platforms, master them, and expand as you grow. Managing multiple channels? With the right content creation and management tools, you can maintain a consistent and engaging online presence that attracts more readers and strengthens your bookstore’s brand.
Unsure which channels to focus on or considering expanding your reach? Check out our blog post on how to choose the right platforms for your bookstore!
9 Practical Social Media Tips for Your Bookstore
Here are some actionable tips to help you enhance your bookstore’s online presence and create a positive, engaging experience for both your loyal customers and new readers.
1. Post Book Recommendations
Waterstones Chiswick in the UK shared a fantastic example by featuring their best-selling books and staff recommendations - a simple yet powerful way to engage readers.
Curate your own weekly or monthly recommendation posts with staff picks, trending titles, or themed reading lists. Add short blurbs, mention who the book is ideal for, and tag relevant authors or publishers to increase reach and credibility.
2. Use Google Business Profile
This one’s a must! A complete Google Business Profile helps local readers find and trust your bookstore quickly. It’s often their first impression - so make it count!
Clearly list your opening hours, book genres or specialties, and contact info. Add inviting photos of your shop, display shelves, and reading corners. Link your socials, and encourage happy customers to leave reviews - those star ratings build trust fast!
Keep your bookstore profile fresh with regular updates
Share posts about new arrivals, upcoming events, staff picks, or seasonal reading recommendations. You can publish directly through Google’s tools, or save time with an app like Hookle, which lets you post to your Google Business Profile and all your other social channels in one go.
Haven’t set up your profile yet? It’s free, easy, and one of the best ways to boost your local visibility. Get started here!
3. Highlight Local Authors
Exclusive Books from South Africa nailed it with a short TikTok-style “Add to Cart” video that showcased a local author in a fun and engaging way - a perfect example of creative promotion!
Feature local talent through spotlight posts or mini-interviews
Feature local talent through spotlight posts, quick Q&A sessions, or mini-interviews. Highlight their books, share their stories, and tag them along with local literary communities. It’s a great way to celebrate local voices while expanding your bookstore’s reach.
4. Promote Events & Readings
Cassykay Books posted a fantastic clip promoting their upcoming in-store event featuring six fantasy authors - complete with food, drinks, and a welcoming vibe. A great, inviting way to build excitement and community!
Use social media to promote events like book signings, storytime sessions, or launch parties
Use social media to promote events like book signings, storytime sessions, or launch parties. Create Facebook events, share behind-the-scenes prep, and use countdown stickers on Instagram Stories to build anticipation and drive attendance.
5. Share Customer Reviews
Flutterbuy Books shared a 5-star review from a happy customer on their Google Business Profile - what a great way to show appreciation and build trust with potential readers!
Turn positive customer feedback into compelling posts. Whether it’s a glowing Google review or a kind message on Instagram, this kind of social proof reinforces your bookstore’s credibility and helps attract new customers.
6. Celebrate Your Milestones
Once Upon A Book_TT, an online bookstore, shared this clip celebrating their 4th birthday. What a great and heartwarming way to connect with their community!
Personal touches strengthen loyalty and show the human side of your bookstore
Celebrate occasions and milestones - whether it's your store’s anniversary, a new location, or hitting a sales goal. Share behind-the-scenes moments, thank your customers, and make them feel part of your journey. These personal touches strengthen loyalty and show the human side of your bookstore.
7. Use Hashtags Strategically
Book Cellar NYC shared a great example of using strategic hashtags like #NycBookStore and #UpperEastSide to reach their local audience effectively.
Hashtags help new readers discover your bookstore
Hashtags help new readers discover your bookstore. Use a smart mix of niche tags (#IndieBookstore), local tags (#NYCReads), and trending ones (#BookTok) to expand your visibility. Keep it focused - 5 to 8 hashtags per post is usually the sweet spot.
8. Share Book Trivia or Fun Facts
WORD Bookstores, an independent bookstore with locations in Brooklyn and Jersey City, shared an awesome clip of bookstore fun facts - this time focusing on accessibility. A clever and meaningful way to inform and engage their audience!
Share fun facts about books, authors, or the world of bookstores to educate and entertain your followers. These quick insights are great for boosting likes, shares, and comments while positioning your bookstore as both knowledgeable and inclusive.
9. Post Consistently
Running a bookstore means busy days helping customers, organizing events, and keeping your shelves stocked - leaving little time for social media. The trick? Plan ahead.
Start with a simple content calendar
Set aside a bit of time each week - or even just once a month - to plan and create your posts. Batching content in advance helps your bookstore stay active online without the stress of daily posting.
Even better, use a tool like Hookle (shown above) to schedule posts across all your platforms. That way, your marketing keeps working in the background while you focus on connecting with readers and running your store.
Manage All Your Socials in One App
Maintaining a consistent and professional presence across multiple social media channels can be time-consuming - especially when you're busy organizing events, managing inventory, and helping customers find their next great read. That’s where social media management apps like Hookle come in.
Hookle is built for busy bookstore owners like you
This simple yet powerful mobile app helps you create, schedule, and publish content across all your social platforms - including your Google Business Profile - from one place. Hookle also provides smart post ideas, performance tracking, and easy-to-use AI support to make your social media marketing more authentic, efficient, and stress-free.
Don’t just take our word for it - download Hookle for free today and take the stress out of social media while confidently growing your bookstore’s community.
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