Free Book marketing advice in seconds using Google’s free AI Assistant Gemini

Most authors I work with don’t know exactly who their ideal readers are. Many aren’t even confident of their target genre. This makes marketing the book to readers tricky. Knowing where your book belongs on the bookshelf (your genre), including the sort of reader most likely to get value from its pages is a deceivingly simple exercise. If you haven’t already, I challenge you to try it.

Why Understanding Who Your Book Was Written for Matters

Book genre and your ideal reader avatar matters to anyone interested in partnering with you in your book journey. A bookstore, traditional book publisher or even book distributor are all likely to ask you who you think your ideal reader would be. A common answer tends to be something similar to “Everyone interested in X”. Whilst this answer saves you a few uncomfortable moments of reflection, it creates headaches for everyone else involved in your publishing project.

• How do you sell a book that appeals to everyone?
• How would the cover design look for a book with readership so wide?
• What colour and fonts or phrases would work best?

Every book genre has its own design cliché’s that your cover and interior designer will likely bear in mind when busy with your book.

Enter Gemini Google’s Free AI Tool

With this bugbear in mind, I recently found myself wondering if the free AI platform from Google, known as Gemini was capable of ingesting a manuscript directly from Word and then recommending the book’s most appropriate genre. It could.

Open a new Gemini window here.

Not only was Gemini able to accurately gauge the manuscript genre, it also had ideas on who the book’s message would resonate with. With a little prompt it was then able to suggest ideas on how to approach the marketing of this particular book nogal.

(The book used in my example is currently being published and should be available for readers soon. It is titled Understanding Reality from author Dr Jimmy Henderson.)

Piracy Concerns

Let’s get this out of the way early. Sharing your manuscript with Gemini or any AI platform may mean that your writing is used in ways we might not fully understand. The manuscript I used in this example, I was confident that the exposure of the book’s message mattered more than the risk of accidental sharing. For more information, I recommend reading Gemini’s reply to my piracy concern at the end of our chat.

Here is how the actual conversation between Gemini and I went. Copied directly from the original chat window.

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Dave

If I share a complete book manuscript with you, could you take a guess at the most appropriate genre of the book in question?

Gemini

Dave

How should I best share the book with you?

Gemini

The best way to share your book with me depends on the length and format. Since I’m a large language model, I can process text, but I have limitations on the amount of text I can handle in a single conversation. Here are a few options, ranked from best to least ideal:

1. Short to Medium Length Manuscripts (Under ~50,000 words): You can copy and paste sections of your manuscript directly into the chat. It’s best to do this in manageable chunks, perhaps chapter by chapter or even smaller sections. This is the most straightforward method for shorter works.
2. Longer Manuscripts (Over ~50,000 words): For longer works, direct copy-pasting is less practical. While I can’t directly access external files, you could still break the manuscript into manageable chunks (as described above) and share each chunk in separate messages. Just be sure to label them clearly (e.g., “Chapter 1,” “Chapter 2,” etc.) so I can keep track of the order.
3. Summarization: If the manuscript is very long and you’re primarily concerned with genre classification, you could provide me with a detailed synopsis or summary focusing on the plot, characters, themes, and overall style. This won’t give me as much to work with, but it can still be helpful for genre identification.
4. Key Excerpts: Another option for long manuscripts is to share key excerpts. Choose passages that you feel are representative of the book’s tone, style, and content. This can give me a good sense of the overall feel of the book.

Important Considerations:

• Copyright: Be mindful of copyright. Since this is a public forum, avoid sharing anything that you don’t have the right to share.
• Confidentiality: While I strive to maintain user privacy, it’s always wise to exercise caution when sharing unpublished work online.
• Formatting: Plain text is easiest for me to process. While I can handle some formatting, complex layouts might not translate well.

I recommend starting with a small section or a detailed synopsis if your manuscript is very long. We can then discuss the best way to proceed based on my initial impressions.

Dave

Ok, here comes the entire manuscript. Once I share please give me your thoughts on the genre you would recommend

Gemini

Okay, I’m ready. Please share your manuscript. I’ll do my best to give you my thoughts on the genre. Remember, this will be an educated guess, and professional genre classification is always recommended. I’ll be looking for clues in the themes, plot, characters, writing style, and target audience to make my assessment. I’ll let you know when I’ve received it all and am ready to give you my feedback.

Dave

*Pastes 31 000 words from into chat window, directly from Word*

Gemini

Based on the provided text, I would classify this book manuscript as belonging to the New Age Spirituality genre, with strong influences from Metaphysics, Science and Religion, and Self-Help.

Here’s my reasoning:

• New Age Spirituality: The book explores themes of energy, consciousness, the interconnectedness of everything, and the search for meaning and purpose. These are all hallmarks of New Age spirituality, which often draws from various traditions and incorporates scientific concepts. The emphasis on personal experience and interpretation also aligns with this genre.
• Metaphysics: The discussion of the nature of reality, the creative source, consciousness, and alternative realities delves into core metaphysical questions. The author’s background in philosophy (metaphysics) is evident in the approach.
• Science and Religion: The book attempts to bridge the gap between scientific understanding (quantum physics, systems theory) and spiritual or philosophical concepts. This blending of science and spirituality is a common characteristic of books in this category.
• Self-Help: While not explicitly a “how-to” guide, the book aims to provide readers with a new perspective on reality, potentially leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. This self-discovery aspect gives it a self-help flavor.

Other potential genre tags (less dominant, but possibly relevant):

• Popular Science: While the book discusses complex scientific concepts, it does so in an accessible way for a general audience.
• Philosophy: The book engages with philosophical ideas about reality, consciousness, and the nature of existence.

Target Audience: Individuals interested in spirituality, metaphysics, the intersection of science and religion, and personal growth. Readers who are open to exploring non-traditional perspectives on reality and are interested in quantum physics and related concepts, but don’t necessarily have a strong science background.

Marketing Considerations: When marketing this book, it would be important to emphasize its accessible approach to complex topics, its blend of science and spirituality, and its potential for personal insight. Keywords related to the above genres and themes would be essential.

Dave

Could you please elaborate on the marketing considerations shared, focussing on ideas or suggestions to easily reach the ideal readership?

Gemini

Let’s delve deeper into marketing considerations for your book, focusing on reaching your ideal readership. Since we’ve identified the genre as New Age Spirituality with elements of Metaphysics, Science and Religion, and Self-Help, our marketing strategy should target individuals interested in these areas.

1. Understanding Your Ideal Reader:

• Demographics: While not strictly defined by age or gender, readers of this genre often tend to be those seeking deeper meaning and purpose in life, often with a more open-minded and inquisitive approach to spirituality. They may be interested in personal development, self-discovery, and exploring the mysteries of the universe.
• Interests: Think about what else your ideal reader might be interested in. Likely candidates include: yoga, meditation, mindfulness, energy healing, crystals, alternative medicine, philosophy, science (especially quantum physics), ancient wisdom, mythology, and other spiritual or metaphysical topics.
• Online Habits: Where do they spend their time online? Which social media platforms do they use? Which websites or blogs do they frequent? Are they members of online forums or communities related to spirituality, metaphysics, or science?

2. Targeted Marketing Strategies:

• Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your book’s metadata on Amazon KDP (as we discussed before) but also in your marketing materials. Think about the terms your ideal reader would use to search for books like yours. Examples: quantum spirituality, consciousness, metaphysics, energy healing, spiritual awakening, alternative realities, holistic living, mind-body connection, spiritual growth, self-discovery.
• Amazon Advertising: Utilize Amazon’s advertising platform to target readers based on keywords, interests, and even comparable books. This can be a very effective way to reach your target audience directly on the platform where they are most likely to buy books.
• Social Media Marketing:
  • Facebook: Create a Facebook page for your book and engage with relevant groups and communities. Share excerpts, blog posts, and behind-the-scenes insights about your writing process. Run targeted ads to reach people interested in related topics.
  • Instagram: Use visually appealing quotes from your book, images related to the themes you explore, and short videos to capture attention. Use relevant hashtags and engage with other spiritual and metaphysical accounts.
  • Other Platforms: Explore other platforms like Pinterest (for visually oriented content) or Goodreads (for connecting with readers and book reviewers).
• Content Marketing:
  • Blog: Write blog posts on topics related to your book’s themes. This can help establish you as an authority in the field and attract potential readers to your website (where you can promote your book).
  • Guest Blogging: Contribute articles to other websites or blogs that cater to your target audience.
  • Podcast Guest Appearances: Reach out to podcasts that focus on spirituality, metaphysics, or science and offer to be a guest.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list by offering a free ebook excerpt or other valuable content in exchange for email addresses. Use your email list to keep readers updated about your book and other projects.
• Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers in the spiritual and metaphysical community to reach a wider audience. This could involve sending them a free copy of your book in exchange for a review or social media mention.
• Online Book Tours: Participate in online book tours to get your book featured on various blogs and websites.
• Reviews: Encourage readers to leave reviews on Amazon and other platforms. Positive reviews can significantly boost your book’s visibility and credibility.
• Community Engagement: Participate in online forums and communities related to your book’s themes. Engage in discussions and share your insights. Be genuine and helpful, and don’t just focus on promoting your book.
• Website: Create a professional website for yourself and your book. Include information about the book, excerpts, reviews, and links to where it can be purchased.

3. Messaging:

• Highlight the Unique Blend: Emphasize the unique combination of science, spirituality, and metaphysics in your book. This is a key selling point that sets it apart from other books in the genre.
• Focus on Transformation: Convey the potential for personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of reality that your book offers.
• Use Testimonials: Include positive reviews or testimonials from readers in your marketing materials.

By implementing these strategies and tailoring your message to your ideal reader, you can effectively reach your target audience and increase the visibility of your book. Remember that marketing is an ongoing process, so be patient and persistent.

Dave

Do I risk the manuscript being pirated if I share it with you?

Gemini

While I strive to maintain user privacy and data security, sharing any unpublished work online carries inherent risks. I am a large language model, and while I have internal safeguards, I cannot offer a 100% guarantee against all potential security breaches or unforeseen circumstances. No online platform can.

Here’s a breakdown of the risks and how to mitigate them:

• Risk of Data Breach: Although unlikely, there’s always a small possibility of a data breach on the platform I operate on. This is a general risk for anything stored online.
• Risk of Model “Memorization”: Large language models learn from the data they are trained on. While I don’t “memorize” specific texts in a way that allows me to reproduce them verbatim, there’s a theoretical risk that some phrases or ideas could be incorporated into my future responses. This is a very low risk, especially for a single manuscript, but it’s not zero.  
• Risk of Third-Party Access (Extremely Low): Access to the data I process is highly restricted. However, there is always the possibility of a highly sophisticated hacking attempt, though this is extremely unlikely.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Share in Sections: As discussed before, sharing your manuscript in smaller chunks is a good strategy. This limits the amount of your work that is potentially exposed at any one time.
• Watermark Your Work: Before sharing, consider adding a watermark to each section of your manuscript with your name, date, and a copyright notice. This won’t prevent piracy, but it will make it easier to prove ownership if your work is ever distributed without your permission.
• Register Your Copyright: Registering your copyright with the appropriate copyright office in your country provides legal protection for your work. This is a good idea regardless of whether you share your manuscript with me or anyone else.  
• Consider a Synopsis or Key Excerpts: If you’re primarily concerned with genre classification, sharing a detailed synopsis or key excerpts can minimize the risk while still allowing me to give you useful feedback.
• Use a Secure Platform for Sharing: If you choose to share larger portions of your manuscript, consider using a secure file-sharing platform with encryption and access controls. However, even these platforms have some inherent risk.

In summary: The risk of your manuscript being directly pirated as a result of sharing it with me is very low. However, no online sharing method is entirely without risk. The mitigation strategies above can further reduce those risks. Ultimately, you must weigh the benefits of sharing your work with me against the small potential risks involved.

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Before You Leave

Google’s Gemini AI assistant was able to save time by sharing insights into your book’s target genre and ideal readership. This clarity would be of value to,

• A book publisher wanting to know why they should consider accepting your manuscript submission.
• It would be of use to website designer wondering how your new author website should look and feel.
• It would be of value to a book publicist helping prepare interviews for your upcoming book launch.

The question is, are you comfortable sharing your book with an AI assistant?

PS. I was able to also ask Gemini to suggest several purchasing keywords that I could use when publishing this title through Amazon KDP. It could.

PPS. I was using Gemini version 2.0 Flash.