Selling books in today’s digital world means more than just having a link to Amazon. Whether you’re a self-published writer or working with a traditional publisher, the way you share your book links can directly affect your sales.
Smart links offer a modern solution that makes it easier to reach readers, wherever they are. Here’s how authors can use smart links to increase visibility, drive sales, and better understand their audience.
What is a Smart Link?
A Smart Link is a versatile, trackable link that takes users to a customised landing page. Unlike a regular URL that simply points to one place, smart links can offer:
- Multiple purchase options (e.g. Amazon, Waterstones, Apple Books)
- Country-specific redirection
- Click tracking and analytics
- Branded design and custom messaging
Smart link providers like PUSH.fm allow authors to create beautiful, professional-looking links that can be shared on social media, email newsletters, blogs, and more.
Why regular links fall short
Many authors use a direct Amazon link or link to one specific platform. While that may seem convenient, it often limits potential sales. Not every reader shops on the same site or uses the same device. By giving your audience choices, you reduce friction and increase the chance they’ll actually buy the book.
Let’s say you post a link to your book on Amazon UK—but your followers include readers in the US, Australia and Europe. A smart link can automatically detect their location and direct them to their local Amazon store or another retailer entirely. That means fewer lost sales and a better reader experience.
Key benefits of using Smart Links as an author
- Reach more readers globally
Smart links help you reach international readers by auto-directing them to the most relevant store in their region. - Give readers more options
Not everyone wants to buy from Amazon. Some prefer independent bookshops, Kobo, Google Play Books, or physical retailers. A smart link can list all these options on one page. - Track your marketing efforts
With smart links from platforms like PUSH.fm, you can track how many people clicked, where they came from, and which platforms are working best for you. - Use in multiple campaigns
Create specific smart links for social media ads, email campaigns, or book tours. This helps you measure which channel drives the most sales. - Boost professionalism and trust
A clean, branded smart link page gives off a more polished impression than a string of random URLs. It shows that you take your book promotion seriously.
Real-life examples
- An author launching a new thriller creates a PUSH.fm Smart Link that includes buttons to buy the book on Amazon, Apple Books, and Waterstones. She shares this link in her Instagram bio, email list, and on her blog.
- A poet with a global following uses smart links to create region-specific landing pages. Readers in Canada see Canadian retailers, while readers in the UK are taken to UK bookshops.
- A self-published fantasy writer runs a paid Facebook ad campaign using a smart link that tracks how many clicks come from each advert variation.
How to get started
Creating a smart link is simple. With a tool like PUSH.fm, you just:
- Sign up for an account (it’s free for basic use)
- Choose your link type (for books, a ‘Fan Link’ or ‘URL Link’ works well)
- Add your destinations (Amazon, Apple Books, etc.)
- Customise your page with your book cover, title, and branding
- Share your link across your marketing channels
You can even create different links for each book in your catalogue, or for different promotional campaigns.
In a crowded market, small changes can lead to more sales—and using smart links is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your author toolkit. By offering readers a smoother, more flexible experience, you not only improve your conversion rate but also build trust with your audience.
Platforms like PUSH.fm make it easy for authors to take control of their marketing and better understand what’s working. Whether you’re launching a debut novel or promoting your tenth release, a smart link can help you get more eyes—and clicks—on your book.
