Whether you’re an author launching a new novel, a publisher promoting multiple titles, or a marketer looking to grow your book sales quickly, Facebook ads remain one of the most efficient ways to reach a vast audience. Thanks to its data-driven algorithm, Facebook can determine when, where, and how to serve your ads to the right readers—every time. (Data collection sometimes has its perks!)

However, there’s one universal obstacle that trips up even seasoned advertisers: Content—knowing what kind of ad to create and how to craft it in a cost-effective way.

Let’s explore how to develop attention-grabbing Facebook ads for books, which ad formats resonate with readers, and how AI continues to redefine ad creatives in publishing.

‍

Why Facebook Ads Work for Selling Books

Facebook’s algorithm is notoriously precise. With intriguing copy and visually appealing creatives, you can capture profitable book sales or sign-ups in record time. It’s a natural fit for authors and publishers looking to test, validate, and refine their promotional angles.

Facebook advertising allows you to:

• Identify ideal readers based on interests and demographics
• Test new ad hooks and angles almost instantly
• Scale up quickly once you find a winning message

Before Facebook, it was nearly impossible to connect with such hyper-targeted reader segments so efficiently.

‍

Three Best Ad Formats to Promote Books

Different advertising approaches work for different types of books—fiction, non-fiction, self-help, business, etc. But remember, top performers test everything. Below are three formats that consistently convert curious readers into buyers:

1. Excerpt Teaser Videos

Videos are a fantastic way to showcase a compelling section of your book. Whether it’s a shocking paragraph or a suspense-filled line, start your video with an “out of context” teaser that grabs attention. Then follow it up by revealing more details and inviting viewers to learn the full story.

Example: A quick clip of text animations reading a dramatic quote from the book. End with a CTA like, “Curious how it ends? Get your copy now.”

‍

2. Carousel Ads

Carousel ads allow you to feature multiple hooks, quotes, or even different book covers (if you’re promoting a series). This format is especially effective for authors with multiple titles or for marketers showcasing various chapters or themes.

Pro Tip: Under each carousel card, use a short summary of what the excerpt or chapter covers—enough to tempt readers to click and learn more.

‍

3. UGC-Style Ads

UGC (User-Generated Content) ads appear like organic social media posts. They might include short videos or images of readers talking about why they loved your book. Because this format looks so authentic, it tends to resonate strongly with book lovers.

Why UGC Works:

• It feels like genuine reader reviews.
• People trust peer recommendations—especially in publishing.
• It mimics real posts on Instagram or TikTok.

Think of someone holding your book, excitedly sharing how it impacted them. That’s precisely the vibe UGC ads can deliver.

‍

One Strategy That Hooks Readers Instantly

A proven method for grabbing attention is to show an intriguing or controversial excerpt from your book—completely out of context. This could be a bold statement, a shocking twist, or a particularly snappy piece of dialogue. Viewers see this snippet, think “Wait, what?” and feel compelled to click to understand the context.

How to Use This Strategy

1. Select a short but striking passage from your book.
2. Highlight it visually in a quick video or an image post.
3. Pose a question like, “Why would this character do that?” or “Imagine discovering a secret like this—what would you do?”
4. Add a CTA directing readers to learn more or buy the book to see the rest.

‍

Using AI to Create Scalable UGC Ads

Traditionally, UGC ads for books might require sourcing genuine testimonials or soliciting video reviews from readers—a hit-or-miss (and often time-consuming) process. While authentic reader reviews are gold, it can be tough to coordinate them.

Arcads simplifies this by revolutionizing how UGC-style ads are created. Choose from 300+ AI Avatars, prepare your script, and within minutes, generate high-quality UGC-like videos without ever needing to chase down readers for content.

How to Use AI to Generate Book-Focused UGC Ads

1. Draft a Script
   Write a natural-sounding testimonial or review snippet. For instance: “I couldn’t put this book down—it’s a must-read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers!”
2. Pick an AI Avatar
   Select an avatar that matches your target demographic. If your book targets young adults, choose a relatable avatar with an energetic vibe; if it’s a business/marketing book, pick a more polished persona.
3. Generate Multiple Angles
   Using Arcads, you can quickly create numerous variations of the same testimonial script with different avatars—giving you the power to test angles and personas without expensive video shoots.
4. Overlay B-Roll
   Add visuals of your book’s cover, animated text from a key chapter, or general reading clips to enhance authenticity and maintain the “reader’s perspective.”

‍

How Effective Is AI UGC for Advertising Books?

When done right, Facebook ads for books can be a quick route to hitting bestseller lists or jumpstarting a new author brand. Facebook’s algorithm is sharp enough to find potential readers, but your ad creatives must spark their curiosity.

Once you hit a profitable CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) for your book campaigns, you can scale up dramatically—buying more ad space, testing new angles, and driving consistent sales.

Arcads UGC is a secret weapon for authors and publishers. It empowers you to mass-produce engaging video ads that resonate on a personal level, all while testing multiple angles in minutes rather than days or weeks.

We’ve seen authors and publishing houses multiply their revenue using AI-generated UGC ads that speed up the creative iteration process.

‍

Conclusion

Ultimately, your success in selling books on Facebook boils down to ad creatives. When you can crank out fresh, compelling creative concepts at scale—be it via excerpt teasers or UGC-style videos—Facebook advertising becomes a straightforward path to growing your readership.

In a market saturated with new releases, these AI-driven strategies can be the difference between your book collecting dust on a shelf and becoming the next buzz-worthy title.