7 Funnels Every Author Needs to ACTUALLY Sell Their Books…Even if…

Even if you self-publish, you need offer pages that help your readers fall in love with you!

Even if you’re an introvert who cringes at the thought of self-promotion, you need engaging ways to connect with readers without feeling like you’re shouting from a digital rooftop!

Even if you have a traditional publisher, and even if that traditional publisher does basically nothing, you need social media posts, emails and ads that will help people realize that your book exists!!

I am the author of 4 books. And one thing I learned is that no magical book fairy shows up with a marketing team, a billboard in Times Square or a book parade.

Nope.

EVEN with a traditional publisher, the marketing basically boiled down to, “Good luck out there!”

If I wanted people to actually buy my books, I was gonna have to sell them myself.

Enter: funnels. Not the kind you bake cake in (although I highly recommend snacks during this process), but marketing funnels—aka pathways that bring readers in, get them excited, and lead them to buying your book… and maybe your next one too.

Whether you’re just starting your manuscript or you’re staring at boxes of books in your garage wondering what went wrong, these 7 book funnels are what I wish I had the first time around.

And while building these essential marketing “pathways” or funnels sounds DAUNTING (trust us, we get it!), hang tight cause we have a tool that simplifies the creation of those very offer pages, social media posts, and emails.

Our 275,000 books sold is PROOF there really IS a method to the madness of seriously selling books, and we want to share our secrets with you.

7 Landing Pages Authors Need to Sell Books

1. The Digital Product Bonus Funnel

This is my absolute favorite. People LOVE free stuff—and a bonus digital download (like a workbook, checklist, mini course, or printable) can seriously boost your book sales.

📚 “Buy my book, get this exclusive freebie” = way more sales than “Buy my book, because it’s awesome.”

I created these bonuses for each of my books and watched people line up to grab them. You can even automate the whole thing with a landing page + email delivery.

You can even automate the whole thing with a landing page + email delivery. Seriously, close your eyes for a sec and imagine creating a stunning landing page and automated email sequence to promote your book, in minutes. That is possible now with Pagewheel.

2. The Book Feature Page

Your book deserves more than just a sad Amazon link. A feature page is like a spotlight—it shows off your book cover, the big idea, what readers will get, and (of course) links to buy it everywhere it’s sold. Pssst…you can even add in the freebie from idea #1. Add in some testimonials or early praise, a sample chapter download, and boom—you’ve got a 24/7 book-selling machine.

With Pagewheel, designing a visually appealing feature page all of these funnel pages are quick and easy to create! All of the templates featured on this page are available for YOU to use to promote your book, right now, on Pagewheel – oh, and it’s only $27 to get started selling!

3. The Book Launch Waitlist Funnel

Whether you’re 6 months out or still editing Chapter 3, you can start building anticipation now.
This is a simple landing page that says, “Hey! Something cool is coming!” and collects email addresses. That way, when you’re ready to launch, you’re not screaming into the void—you’ve got people who already care.

Why do you NEED a waitlist funnel??

Too many authors wait until the last possible second to promote their books. This means that their book “builds” their authority instead of cementing it. When you have an audience ready and waiting, your book becomes the proof and the launchpad for your personal brand.

4. The Book Pre-Order Sales Page

Here’s your chance to make your book feel like a big deal. You set up a special page for pre-orders, maybe throw in that digital bonus, and start generating buzz (and actual sales) before your book even drops.

I did this with one of my books, and it helped me hit several of Amazon’s category bestseller lists the day it released. Not magic. Just a pre-order funnel.

Pssst…combine this with ideas #1 & #2…are you feeling a pattern here?

Creating a high-converting pre-order page with bonus integration is straightforward with Pagewheel – we make building offers AND offer pages a breeze. Just hit refresh to get a whole new layout or design.

5. The Author Feature Page

Spoiler alert: people don’t just want your book, they want you. This is where you tell your story, share your other projects, and let people connect with the person behind the pages.

This resource page links to everything—books, blog, podcast, social, speaking gigs. It’s your online author hub, and it builds long-term reader love. If you don’t have an author feature page yet, let us make you one – in minutes!

6. The Book Signing or Event Funnel

Whether it’s an in-person signing, a virtual Q&A, or a “launch party” Zoom with your dog making cameos, events sell books.

Grab RSVP emails, hand out freebies and have a party all with the book signing landing page! Keep it fun, make it feel like an inside look, and include a link to buy the book for anyone who hasn’t already (you’d be surprised…).

7. The VIP Reader Community Funnel

This one is for your superfans. Your email list, your private group, your behind-the-scenes peeps.

Create a free community where readers get early access, extras, and input on future projects. These folks will share your book, write reviews, and be your word-of-mouth army.

The Why Behind the Funnels

Here’s the honest truth: Publishers (even the good ones) aren’t going to hustle for your book like you will. And you don’t need to wait until your book is published to start building these funnels. The earlier the better.

So if you’re dreaming of writing a book—or already have a finished one just begging for readers—start building these 7 funnels now. I used every one of them, and they worked… even when the publisher shrugged.

Need help getting these funnels set up? I’ve got templates, guides, and bonus resources —because your book deserves more than being forgotten on page 12 of someone’s Amazon search.

Let’s make it a bestseller on purpose.