What to expect:
First things first:
- Research the account before sending a collaboration request.
- Make your message personal and explain why your book is a good fit for that person and their community.
- Think in advance about what kind of collaboration you would like to propose.
- When agreeing on a collaboration, clearly define expectations, timing, and format.
- Do not view collaborations as a one-time marketing activity: good contacts can support you and your book in the long term.
Good Preparation Makes All the Difference
Have you discovered a Bookstagram account that regularly features books from your genre, or found a blog whose topics are a perfect match for your nonfiction book? Then you probably want to send a message right away. But before you do, take some time to research the account.
Look at the type of content the person publishes and which books they have featured so far. Many book bloggers also state on their websites whether they accept review copies and, if so, in what format. For social media accounts, it is worth taking a look at previous collaborations.
Next, think about what you actually want to achieve with the collaboration. A review? A book feature? A joint live event? The more specific your idea is, the easier it will be to communicate it later.
Still looking for suitable contacts? Then start with our article “Book Marketing Collaborations: How to Find the Right Partners.” It explains how to find bloggers, book influencers, and other collaboration partners who are a good fit for your book.
How to Write to Bloggers and Book Influencers
“Hi, I’ve written a book. Would you like to feature it?”
That could certainly be a collaboration request – but it is not particularly personal. Bloggers and creators receive many requests like this. A message that is obviously identical to messages sent to numerous other accounts therefore does not make a particularly good first impression.
Instead, show that you have genuinely taken the time to look at the person and their content. Why do you think your book is a good fit for this particular account? Perhaps they regularly feature Cozy Crime novels and your book belongs to exactly this genre. Or perhaps you have written a guide to sustainable travel and are contacting a travel creator who regularly covers this topic.
Your request does not need to be a novel, though. Short, personal, and specific is usually the better approach. The most important information should be easy to identify:
- Who are you and what book have you written?
- What is the title, genre or topic, and publication date?
- What is the book about in a few sentences?
- Who is the target audience?
- Why is your book a good fit for this particular account?
- What kind of collaboration would you like to propose?
- Can you provide a digital or printed review copy?
Depending on your book, you can also mention relevant tropes or describe it as “for fans of …”. This makes it easier for the person you are contacting to assess whether the book is a good fit for their community.
For example, your request could look like this:
Hi [Name],
If the book sounds interesting to you, I’d be happy to provide you with a [print/PDF] review copy. I could imagine a book feature or review, for example – of course, only if that fits your account and your schedule.
Best wishes,
[Name]
You can use this example as a starting point. But remember: a template should remain exactly that – a template. Always adapt your request to the person you are contacting.
What Kind of Collaboration Are You Looking For?
Not every collaboration has to look the same. Depending on the platform, book, and collaboration partner, many different formats are possible.
Book bloggers can, for example, publish a review or detailed book feature. On Bookstagram and BookTok, additional formats such as unboxings, Reels, or videos are an option. Interviews, giveaways, joint live events, blog tours, readings, or mutual recommendations are also possible.
Instead of simply asking whether someone would “like to do something with your book,” you can therefore make a specific suggestion right away. At the same time, remain open to other ideas: the other person knows their community best and may have an idea that works much better for their particular channel.
You can find more tips on presenting your book on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms in our article “How to Showcase Your Book on Social Media.”
A Review Copy Is Not the Same as a Collaboration
When offering review copies, it is particularly important to keep your expectations realistic. Providing a book for free does not automatically mean that you can expect a positive review in return.
A review should reflect the honest opinion of the person who read the book. Even if the review is more critical than you had hoped, it is important to handle the feedback professionally. You can find more detailed advice on responding to positive and negative reader feedback and using reviews for your book marketing in our article Handling Reviews and Ratings the Right Way – Leveraging Reader Feedback for Success
You should also distinguish between offering a review copy and agreeing to a specific promotional collaboration. Especially when money is involved, products or services are provided free of charge in connection with a publication, or other forms of compensation are agreed upon, additional requirements may apply. It is therefore even more important to clarify what type of collaboration you are planning beforehand.
Clear Agreements Prevent Misunderstandings
You have agreed on a collaboration? Great! Then you should briefly put the most important details in writing. These should include, above all, the planned format, the platform, and an approximate publication date or time frame.. Also clarify what you will provide: Does your collaboration partner need a printed copy, a PDF, the cover, photos, or additional information about the book?
The more extensive the collaboration, the more important clear agreements become. For a joint live event, for example, you should establish when it will take place and who will promote it. For a giveaway, you should clarify the process and responsibilities. And for a paid collaboration, it should be clear exactly which services have been agreed upon.
Also remember advertising disclosure requirements.. Advertising in online media must be identifiable as advertising and distinguishable from editorial content. Whether and how disclosure is required depends on the specific type of collaboration. If you are planning a collaboration, make sure to check the applicable requirements beforehand.
One Collaboration Can Lead to the Next
The post has been published, you have shared it, and the collaboration was successful – now what? Thank the person you worked with and show that you appreciate the collaboration. If appropriate for the platform and in line with your agreement, you can share or repost the content and engage with reactions from the community.
It is also worth looking at the results of the collaboration. Did the post generate many comments or questions about your book? Did people visit your account or start following you? Were there clicks to your book page or even sales? Not every collaboration has the same goal, so you should not evaluate its success based on a single metric alone.
Above all, do not immediately end the relationship once the post has been published. If the collaboration was enjoyable and beneficial for both sides, it could develop into a long-term relationship.
Perhaps your next book will also be a good fit for the community. Maybe you will organize a joint reading or live event later on. Or perhaps you will continue recommending each other’s work.
Collaborations work particularly well when there is not just a follower count on the other side, but a person you genuinely enjoy working with.
Want to get started right away? With our free checklist, you can keep track of the key steps in your book marketing and tick off the items you’ve already completed one by one.
Conclusion: Successful Collaborations Are Built on Exchange
A successful book collaboration does not begin with the perfect advertising message. It begins with taking the time to understand the person you are contacting and proposing a collaboration that benefits both sides.
Make your request personal, introduce your book briefly and clearly, and explain why you are contacting this particular person. If a collaboration develops from your request, clear agreements ensure that both sides know what to expect.
And think beyond a single publication. A successful collaboration can turn into a valuable relationship that may continue to support you with your next book as well.
Sources:
- GRIN: Selfpublishing-Marketing-Guide, January 2025
- GRIN: How to Showcase Your Book on Social Media
- GRIN: Handling Reviews and Ratings the Right Way – Leveraging Reader Feedback for Success
FAQ: Autor:in werden
Keep your request short and personal.. Introduce your book with its title, genre or topic, and a brief hook. Explain why it would be a good fit for the blog or account and mention what type of collaboration you have in mind.
Important information includes details about you and your book, its genre or topic, publication date, target audience, and a brief description. Also explain why you are contacting this particular person and what you can offer.
It is best to start contacting them early. If you want your book to be featured around a specific date, make sure to allow enough time for planning. For reviews, you can offer review copies or ARCs before publication.
If you do not receive a reply, you can politely follow up after some time. For example, wait two to three weeksbefore sending a short follow-up message. If you still do not receive a response, respect their decision and look for other suitable collaboration partners.
That depends on the specific type of collaboration. Paid collaborations or other forms of compensation may require advertising disclosure. Therefore, check the current applicable requirements before starting a collaboration.
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