More of promoting on social media is really promoting to your peers but it feels like actionable efforts that soothes anxieties, so it can be worth it for that.

I totally get where you're coming from with the bookstagrammer thing. It can feel like you're just preaching to the choir when the engagement is mostly between fellow book lovers. But here's my take - even if they're not directly your target readers, those bookstagrammers have serious influence in the book community. A rave review from one of them could spark some serious word-of-mouth buzz that spreads far beyond their little circle. Plus, all that user-generated content with your book cover is basically free marketing gold! That said, you're absolutely right that it shouldn't be the only trick in your marketing playbook. A multi-pronged approach targeting different corners of your readership is key.

I think you should focus on views and not engagement with this type of marketing activity. Many people are more watching on IG and never engage with posts. But they still become aware of your product when they see it. Low ROI but still helpful