When Should You Begin Marketing Your Book?

As a book marketing consultant, I often hear from authors who have recently published a book and are looking for marketing advice. Regardless of whether a book is traditionally or independently published, the marketing process should begin far in advance of publication.

It's best to develop at least the outline of a marketing plan early on, and refine it as you approach the publication date. It's especially important to begin building an author platform and network right away, because it takes many months to develop a reputation and a significant number of followers and opt-in subscribers. For ideas on what to include in a book marketing plan, see www.CreateYourBookMarketingPlan.com.

Even if you have a publisher, you are primarily responsible for promoting your book. When you're seeking a publisher, you will need to include promotional plans in your book proposal to demonstrate to publishers that you understand how to promote the book once it's published.

Authors need to educate themselves about the business of publishing and book marketing so they can make intelligent choices about publishing methods, distribution, and book promotion. I advise new authors to begin by reading Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual and John Kremer's 1001 Ways to Market Your Book, but there are many other helpful books, blogs, newsletters, and classes available. Of course, I also recommend my own books and newsletter.