I notice patterns when talking to authors about their book marketing plans. Most dread the idea of having to promote their work, “I just want to write!” What they don’t realize is they had been promoting their work throughout our conversation they just didn’t see it that way. Anytime you are sharing information about your book (book promotion), asking me about my work (networking), posting on social media (platform), and so on, you are marketing. To me the bigger issue isn’t that authors are uncomfortable with promotion, it’s that it’s overwhelming.
Let’s face it, once you get a book published, that makes you a rock star because that’s very difficult to do. So, really, you can do anything, but you can’t do everything. Here’s the second pattern I see. It’s not the actual marketing that gives authors anxiety, it’s that they waited too long to start and are overwhelmed by what to do and when. Below are some timeline suggestions to help you get organized. In the Authors Posse newsletter and discussion groups we go into depth on the topics that are musts for every author (websites or building email lists for example). After you’ve covered your “musts”, do what you can with the rest, and after that, relax. You are working on marketing simply by reading this post (marketing research). Go you!
Best,
Nanette
1 to 2 Years Out From Publication
- Launch a website
- Start a newsletter
- Order business cards
- Start your launch/street team (anyone you can think of that would be willing to share your news with their networks)
- Social Media
- Promote fellow authors
- Write reviews for fellow authors (post on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N)
- Join relevant associations and be active (SCBWI or Authors Guild)
1 Year Out
- Set a budget
- Make a monthly marketing calendar
- Make lists of opportunities for reviews, awards, lists, and bloggers
- Make lists for book festivals and guest speaking opportunities
- What will your publisher be doing – start the dialogue now
- Develop an educator’s/reading guide or downloadable activity kit
- Join a debut group (if this is your first book)
- Plan your cover reveal
- Solicit endorsements
- Create a book trailer
- Hire an intern
- Join Authors Posse if you haven’t yet
6 Months From Release
- Create a press kit (includes: hi res photo(s), bio, cover photo, book blurb, any praise to date)
- Make a SWAG plan
- Design SWAG once you have your cover
- Interview book publicists
- …
Looking for more Book Launch Ideas?
- Join my Newsletter to download the rest of the post as well as receive ideas quarterly.
- Join Authors Posse and get access to our private Facebook Group full of published authors where you can ask questions and find support.
- Follow Authors Posse on Twitter for weekly book marketing advice @authorsposse
- Create a press kit (includes: hi res photo(s), bio, cover photo, book blurb, any praise to date)
- Make a SWAG plan
- Design SWAG once you have your cover
- Interview book publicists
- Release your cover
- Create Author Visit flyer PDF for schools, libraries, & bookstores
- Develop an ARC release strategy
- Plot out your book release tour
- Set up author pages on Amazon, Goodreads & Library Thing
- Promote preorders
- Contact local press
- Guest post on blogs
- Set up media interviews
- Begin networking with local bookstores, libraries & schools
3 Months From Release
- Send out ARC copies (bloggers, launch team, ect)
- Plan your launch party
- Confirm author appearances
- Develop a contest and giveaway strategy
- Keep your eyes open for reviews of your book
- Finish writing all your guest blog posts
- Post any good news (reviews, ect.) everywhere (website, SM)
- Consider a new list of places to pitch for paid author visits (museums, nonprofits, community organizations), and pitch them!
1 Month From Release
- Reconfirm author appearances
- Finalize launch party plans
- Work with your launch team
Book Launch Week/Day
- Launch contest and give aways (Social Media, Goodreads, Library Thing)
- Toast your success at a launch party
- Designate a friend as photographer
- Share everything on Social Media
- Enjoy!
3 Months to 1 Year Post Release
- Send thank you notes to everyone!
- In person and online school visits
- Library author visits
- Bookstore author visits
- Continue to guest blog and set up speaking opportunities
This is a great list! I really appreciate having something to check off as I prepare for my launch.
Thank you! And you know you’re already ahead of the game, right? I interviewed 6 author publicists last quarter and their number one challenge was authors who started too late. So yay you!