What is BookTok?
BookTok is a TikTok segment dedicated to books, authors, libraries, bookworms, and everything of the kind. Like any other developed community, it has its slang, trends, celebrities, and traditions.
To be honest, it is a relatively new phenomenon — the hashtag #booktok appeared in 2020, while TikTok itself was released in 2016. As this social medium is incredibly popular, especially amongst post-millennials, it has great marketing potential, which was immediately used by booksellers, publishers, and young authors.
BookTok peculiarities
TikTok videos are limited to 60 seconds (180 for uploaded recordings), but they are usually shorter. That's totally not enough to explain a book's plot, throw a Q&A session with your followers or speculate on the finest details.
BookTube is about long, profound videos with speakers. Bookstagram treats you with outstanding photos and book compositions, sometimes with descriptions, sometimes not. BookTok's thing is short, witty videos with brief and lapidary captions.
Another critical moment is that, since the audience is mainly young, it can't help but influence the content of reading lists. BookTokers prefer Young Adult literature; other genres include LGBTQ+, gothic, fantasy, rom-com, historical fiction, etc.
The whole community got formed not only because bookworms wanted to set up their reading clubs online — YouTube or even LiveJournal formats fit this aim much better. BookTok is excellent for promoting books, and its ROI can be outstanding.
Briefly, each bookish platform has its own "specialization" and vibe, and if you want to become a part of a reading community, it's worth comparing them and finding the one you belong to.
TikTok book influencers
@aymansbooks is the acknowledged queen of BookTok. She focuses on reading recommendations, humor, and reviews.
Some other segment celebrities are @thebooksiveloved, @ezeekat, @abbysbooks.
Actually, you can become a part of this community even if you are not an avid reader and your account has nothing to do with this topic. Just search for "bookish" hashtags and follow the channels you like.
Popular books on TikTok
BookTokers love contemporary fiction, rom-coms, and the Young Adult genre. You're quite unlikely to find here a review on "War and Peace" or Nietzsche's philosophical treatises (though "rarely" doesn't mean "never").
Lately, BookTokers are fond of "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig, "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley, "The Atlas Six" by Olivie Blake, and others. Follow popular accounts, and you'll always know what is trending at the moment.
How to become a BookToker?
Easily. Just remember that competition is high, so if you want to gain followers, you have to attract them with quality content. You can use the built-in editor to record your video in the app. Still, it may be a good idea to shoot your recording in advance and edit it with the help of other video editing services.
And stay tuned! The article with BookTok video tips and hints is coming!
