Hello Authors,

You post on social media.

You have a website.

Your books are on Amazon.

Maybe you’re sending a newsletter.

You’re visible.

But here’s the question:

Can a reader who doesn’t already know you find you?

That’s where discoverability comes in.

Visibility puts you in front of the people who happen to see your content.

Discoverability helps the right people find you when they’re actively looking for something they want to read.

And as we move into the holiday buying season, this is a good time to make sure you’re not accidentally making your books difficult to discover.

Let’s look at five ways to make it easier for readers to find you.

1. Discoverability vs. Visibility

Visibility and discoverability work together, but they’re not the same thing.

When you post a Reel and your followers see it, you’re creating visibility.

When someone searches for “sweet second-chance romance with older characters” and discovers your book, that’s discoverability.

Visibility says:

“Here I am.”

Discoverability says:

“When you’re looking for this kind of book, here’s how to find me.”

You need both.

Why it matters: Social media posts disappear quickly. Discoverable content can continue leading new readers to you long after you create it.

2. Use the Words Your Readers Use

Authors sometimes describe their books differently from readers.

You may think:

“This is a story about rediscovering oneself after a major life transition.”

Your reader might be searching:

“Women’s fiction about starting over after 50.”

Both can describe the same book.

But which one is your reader more likely to type into a search box?

Think about:

• Genre
• Tropes
• Themes
• Character types
• Emotional experience
• Problems your nonfiction book solves

Listen to the words readers use in reviews, comments, book groups, questions, and conversations.

Those words can help you describe your books in ways readers immediately understand.

Why it matters: The closer your language matches your reader’s language, the easier it becomes for the right reader to recognize your book.

3. Create Searchable Content

Not every piece of content needs to disappear after 24 hours.

Create content people can discover weeks, months, or even years later.

That might include:

• Blog posts
• Pinterest pins
• YouTube videos
• Podcast episodes
• Book pages on your website
• Newsletter archives
• Helpful articles

Instead of a title like:

“Some Thoughts About My New Book”

try:

“5 Reasons Friends-to-Lovers Romance Readers May Love [Book Title]”

The second title tells readers—and search engines—what the content is actually about.

Why it matters: Searchable content keeps working after you’ve moved on to your next post.

4. Be Where Readers Look for Books

You don’t have to be everywhere.

But you should understand where your readers look for their next read.

Depending on your audience, that could include:

• Amazon
• Goodreads
• BookBub
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• Google
• Libraries
• Book clubs
• Reader newsletters
• Genre communities
• Podcasts

Ask yourself:

Where would someone who likes books like mine go looking for another one?

That’s more useful than asking:

“What’s the hottest social media platform right now?”

Why it matters: Discoverability isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being findable in the right places.

5. Create Multiple Paths to Your Books

Imagine someone discovers one of your Pinterest pins.

Where does it lead?

Or they find your YouTube video.

Can they easily find your website?

What happens after someone reads one of your blog posts?

Can they find your newsletter?

And once they’re on your website, how many clicks does it take to find your books?

You want to create multiple paths:

Pinterest → Website → Book

YouTube → Website → Newsletter → Book

Google → Blog Post → Book Page

Social Media → Newsletter → Book

Book 1 → Book 2 → Book 3

Readers won’t all discover you the same way.

Give them more than one path.

Why it matters: Every path creates another opportunity for a reader to enter your world.

How This Supports Your Readership

Visibility helps people notice you.

Discoverability helps people find you.

Clear reader language helps them recognize that your book is for them.

Multiple pathways help them move closer to your books.

And the relationships we talked about last month give them a reason to stay.

That’s how these strategies begin working together.

3 Action Steps

1. Search Like a Reader

Pretend you’ve never heard of yourself.

Search for the type of book you write—not your name or book title.

What words would your ideal reader use?

Write down five phrases that describe what they’re actually looking for.

2. Update One Piece of Content

Choose one:

• Book description
• Website book page
• Pinterest pin
• YouTube title
• Blog title
• Social profile
• Newsletter description

Add language that clearly tells readers what you write and who it’s for.

3. Trace Your Reader Discovery Trail

Pick three places where someone could discover you.

Follow each path.

Ask:

Can they easily get from here to my book?

Fix at least one broken, confusing, or missing connection.

BYR Featured Author Challenge

This month, we’re going on a Reader Discovery Hunt.

Complete your three Action Steps, then come back and tell me:

• What did you search?
• Could you find yourself?
• What did you change?
• Did you discover a broken path?
• What surprised you?

You don’t need to suddenly appear at the top of Google.

The goal is to make it easier for the right reader to find you.

I’ll select one participant for an upcoming BYR Featured Author Spotlight so we can celebrate the work you’re doing to build your readership.

See you on the net,

LaShaunda Hoffman