Book Promotion Timeline to Guide Your Publishing Journey to Success

Posted by Pam on Mar 6, 2012 in Blogging | 5 comments

The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious.” Marcus Aurelius

You’ve written a book. You got it published.

You thought that was hard?

Honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Did you know a best seller takes more than good writing?

It takes about a solid year of pre-promotion, PR planning and platform building. 

Not sure what to do first or when?

Here’s a list that we give our clients to keep them on track:

One year to six months before the book is out

1. Establish a board of directors and list of prayer partners
2. Build website & blog
3. Join and be active in your Writers Group
4. Look into attending ICRS/CBA, National Black Book Festival or Book Expo
5. Create a marketing plan on how you plan to sell the books
6. Write book synopsis/description
7. Write fact information sheet/ compile media list for book galleys
8. Solicit endorsements for other authors, experts and “celebs”
9. Have professional PR photo taken
10. Secure a distributor/fulfillment plan
11. Collect samples of other authors’ PR pieces or do online research
12. Take another author to coffee to pick their brain about PR ideas
13. Check on upcoming conferences, fairs, conventions for booth space
14. Begin your aggressive online strategy: Tumblr, Facebook, Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

 Three months before the book is out

1. Compile media list for press releases (see rtir.com)
2. Compile direct mail list of friends, relatives, associates, etc.
3. Update author bio
4. Compile list to receive review books (get the Christian Writers Market Guide on Amazon)
5. Design author/speaker/new book flier and/or brochure
6. Write press release & media alert
7. Decide about hiring a publicist or PR coach
8. Write and submit magazine articles
9. Send galley copies if your publishing house is not going to do it
10. Mail review copies to those you know can help get the job done
11. Network (0nline & offline) to create book signing opportunities
12. Find tie-in opportunities: homeschoolers, retirement communities, conventions. church events
13. Work on news and feature write-ups for press
14. Establish relationships with other speakers for co-op selling  (you sell their book and they sell yours at their back room table when they speak)
15. Compile endorsement page and quote review page post on website/blogsite

Two months before the book is out

1. Write cover letter to send with galleys for book reviews
2. Plan launch party at book store or at a hotel/hall
3. Create Book Trailer and load up on YouTube
4. Secure speaking engagements
5. Design & print extra PR materials: postcards, bookmarks, T-shirts, pens, etc.
6. Contact local newspaper columnists and community newspapers / write columns

One month before the book is out

1. Send pre-publication announcements to media, friends, organizations, libraries
2. Schedule media interviews with local radio and TV stations (get list from publicist)
3. Write several professional talks based on your book
4. Develop key contacts with the influencers in your specialty field

3 weeks before the book is out

1. Get the word out that you’re available to speak. Network.
2. Brand like crazy online and off line – network with others and get them excited about the book launch
3. Create an e-newsletter for your fan club and interested friends

2 weeks before the book is out

1. Call key contacts with the influencers in your specialty field & invite them to participate at your book signing/launch
2. Hire a photographer and/or a psalmist for your event
3. Get an “award” ready for the person who has been most instrumental with you getting your book out (your mom)

1 week before the book is out

1. Confirm details of book launch
2. Personally invite media (again)
3. Make appointments for personal grooming (hair, nails, make up, wardrobe)

Continually

1. Pray a lot. Keep pushing on doors. Relentless promotion for a book is the key to success and sales.

 

This whole process can be overwhelming if you’re not organized and don’t have a team or some friends and other authors to support you.

Need help with your launch or “re-launch?”

See www.LaunchlikeaSuperstar.com and get caught up.

You can do this!

Pam Perry is a PR coach and social media strategist. She is co-founder of Perry + Williamson and CEO of Ministry Marketing Solutions.  See all about her at: http://www.about.me/pamperry

(Oh, she loves comments and folks who ask a lot questions about book publicity and pronotion)