Whew! You’re close to completing your book, and I know it has been a tough journey at times. Congratulations!
Now comes the real work: To not just recoup your investment in writing, editing, and publishing your book, you need to market and sell it. Think of your book as your side hustle or, at the very least, your part-time job, and the time to start marketing is today.
I know you might not be finished writing your book, but marketing early—before you’ve even completed half of your manuscript—is the key to gaining the attention you need to successfully sell your published book. Ideally, you should plan for about six to eight weeks of intensive marketing activities leading up to the pre-sale phase of your book.
Remember, the average self-published author only sells 250 copies of their book, and marketing early and often, as the saying sort-of goes, will help you move past that rather depressing benchmark sooner rather than later.
Starting Points for Marketing Your Book
Here are a few ideas to help you get started paving the way for your runway to success:
1. Blog about your journey – Detail your journey such as selecting a book topic to the actual writing and marketing processes. Celebrate small victories—whether it’s completing a chapter or choosing a cover design.
2. Engage through social media – Involve your audience by asking for their feedback about cover designs, title choices, and even sneak peeks of content. This interaction builds interest and fosters a community around your book at the same time.
3. Create dedicated groups – Establish a space on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, where your target readers are likely to be most active. Engage members with live sessions, polls, and discussions about your book and related topics.
4. Implement a Content Calendar – Consistency is key in building a following. Prepare a detailed six- to eight-week content calendar that outlines daily posts, live interactions, and other activities to keep your audience engaged.
5. Produce a book trailer – Video is too valuable not to use to market your book! A book trailer can significantly amplify your message because while a picture may be worth 1,000 words, a video is worth 1 million.
6. Sponsoring a Book Club – Host regular discussions and Q&A sessions for those who purchase your book. You enhance engagement and get insight and testimonials that serve as social proof.
Leveraging AI and Technology
Use AI tools effectively to manage your time and your marketing efforts. For instance, if you only have a certain number of hours each week to market your book, ask an AI tool how you can best use your time. You’ll want to be sure the tool knows you have a variety of audiences such as new readers, loyal followers, and current or past clients. From there, generate an eight-week content calendar tailored to the platforms where your audience gathers most.
PLEASE NOTE: While the AI tool of your choice will almost certainly give you what you need, you will still need to read results to be sure it aligns with your voice, tone, and style.
Additional Ideas
Pre-Launch sales strategy – Pre-sales can help you start generating revenue before your book officially launches. Create targeted email and social media campaigns that are more conversion-focused. The goal is to drive traffic to your sales page with clear calls to action.
Hosting a book signing event – Here is an opportunity to sell books and create relationships with your audience. Start with scouting locations, and plan your promotional content carefully to be sure you speak directly to your audience’s needs and interests.
Finally, stay informed about the most effective keywords and hashtags related to your book’s topic and your industry. Use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to tap into broader audiences with tags like #booktok and #authorsofinstagram.
If you’re ready to write your book or you need an editor for your completed manuscript, please schedule a call. I’d love to learn more about your book project.