Blog Tours for Authors: What They Are & How to Use Them for Your Book Launch
If you’re getting ready to launch a book, you’ve probably heard people mention blog tours as a marketing strategy.
But what exactly is a blog tour… and is it actually worth your time?
In this post, we’re breaking down what blog tours are, how they work, and how you can use them to promote your book (without wasting time or money).
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What Is a Blog Tour?
A blog tour is a promotional strategy where your book is featured across multiple blogs over a set period of time—usually one to three weeks.
Each day of the tour, your book is highlighted on a different blog.
Depending on the blogger, that feature might include:
- A book review
- An author interview
- A Q&A
- A guest blog post you write
- A spotlight post with your book cover, blurb, and buy links
Some bloggers will also:
- Post reviews on Amazon or Goodreads
- Host a giveaway for their audience
Others may simply feature your book without leaving a review—and that’s completely normal.
How Blog Tours Work
Think of a blog tour like a virtual book tour—except instead of traveling to bookstores, you’re “visiting” different blogs.
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Bloggers are scheduled on specific dates
- Your book appears on a different blog each day
- Each post is slightly different depending on the blogger’s format
- You engage with readers by responding to comments
Most blog tours include:
- Your author bio
- Your headshot
- Links to your website and social media
- Links to purchase your book
Tip: Plan to be available on the days your posts go live so you can reply to comments and interact with readers.
Should You Use a Blog Tour Company?
You have two main options when setting up a blog tour:
1. Hire a Blog Tour Company
There are companies that will organize everything for you—finding bloggers, scheduling posts, and managing the tour.
Pros:
- Saves time
- Less coordination on your end
- Access to established blogger networks
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- You may have less control over which blogs are selected
2. Set Up Your Own Blog Tour
You can also DIY your blog tour by reaching out to bloggers yourself.
What this involves:
- Researching bloggers in your genre
- Following them and getting familiar with their content
- Reaching out with a personalized email
- Coordinating dates and content
When pitching bloggers, mention:
- Why you like their blog
- How your book fits their audience
This small step makes a huge difference.
How to Choose the Right Bloggers (This Matters A LOT)
One of the biggest mistakes authors make is not paying attention to audience fit.
Your blog tour should align with:
- Your genre
- Your target readers
- Your author brand
For example:
If you write sweet romance, you don’t want your book featured on blogs that primarily promote darker or unrelated genres.
Not only will it not convert readers—it may also feel off-brand to promote.
My Personal Experience with Blog Tours
If you’re traditionally published, your publisher may set up a blog tour for you.
While that can be helpful, you may not always have control over which bloggers are selected.
In my experience:
- Some blog stops were a perfect fit
- Others didn’t match my genre or audience at all
And honestly? Those mismatched blogs were ones I didn’t feel comfortable promoting.
That’s why—whether you’re indie or traditionally published—it’s important to make sure your blog tour aligns with your brand.
What to Consider Before Starting a Blog Tour
Before you commit, ask yourself:
What’s your budget?
Blog tour services can range from affordable to very expensive.
Do you have the time?
Even with a company, you’ll still need to:
- Answer interview questions
- Write guest posts
- Respond to comments
How long will your tour run?
Most tours last:
- 2 weeks
- 3 weeks
How many blog stops can you expect?
This varies a lot—some tours have many participants, others only a few.
Are Blog Tours Worth It?
Blog tours can be a great way to:
- Promote your book
- Gain exposure to new readers
- Get reviews
- Build relationships with bloggers
But here’s the truth:
You don’t need a blog tour for every single book launch.
They tend to work best for:
- Full-length novels
- New series launches
- Bigger releases
You may want to skip them for:
- Novellas
- Prequels
- Re-releases
Final Thoughts
Blog tours can be a fun and effective way to get your book in front of new readers—but only if they’re done strategically.
The key is making sure:
- The blogs fit your genre
- The investment makes sense for your goals
- You have the time to fully participate
If you approach it thoughtfully, a blog tour can open the door to new audiences and give your book launch a solid boost.
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is a multi-published author, speaker, and writing coach. She writes sweet contemporary, inspirational, and historical romance and loves teaching aspiring writers how to write quality fiction. Read her inspiring story of how she published her first book and launched a successful writing career.