Many authors start thinking about marketing the week their book comes out. By then, much of the opportunity has passed. The first weeks after release are when online stores pay the most attention to a new title, and books that arrive with reviews, an audience and a plan get a far better start. Here is how to prepare.
Three months out: get the foundations right
- Know your reader. Write down who your book is for, what else they read and where they spend time online. Every later decision depends on this.
- Finalise your cover and blurb. These are your most important marketing tools. Test them on people who read your genre.
- Set up an author presence. A simple author website and one social media platform you will actually use are enough to start.
- Start an email list. Even a small list of interested readers is more valuable than a large following on a platform you do not control.
Two months out: build your early readers
Reviews give new readers the confidence to buy, so you want them in place as soon as possible after launch. Recruit an early reader team: friends of friends, readers from your email list, members of book clubs and online groups in your genre. Send them an advance copy and ask for an honest review when the book goes on sale.
Reach out to book bloggers, bookstagrammers and BookTok creators who cover your genre. Personal, specific messages work far better than mass emails.
One month out: prepare your listings and local opportunities
- Perfect your store listing. Your description, categories and keywords decide whether readers find your book on Amazon and other stores.
- Pitch local media. Local newspapers, community radio and podcasts love a local author story. Prepare a short press release and author photo.
- Talk to bookshops and libraries. Many independent bookshops and local libraries support local authors with stock, events or displays.
- Plan a launch event. In person or online, a launch gives people a reason to buy on a specific day.
Launch week: concentrate your effort
Focus your announcements into the same few days: email your list, post on your channels, ask your early readers to post their reviews, and hold your launch event. Concentrated activity gives your book the best chance of being noticed by store algorithms.
After launch: keep momentum
Marketing does not end on launch day. Keep asking readers for reviews, look for speaking and guest article opportunities, and consider a price promotion a few months later to reach new readers.
You do not have to do it alone
A plan is easier to follow when someone has built it for your book. Our book marketing service covers store listing copy, keywords, review outreach and a week-by-week launch plan you can follow.