When does marketing begin?

When does marketing begin?

Occasionally we are asked early on when marketing will be starting and if anything can be started early, usually when the author is still in the production department.

Firstly, it’s wonderful to have such eagerness and enthusiasm and we will always welcome that.

It is important to remember that production and publicity are entirely different departments. The inside of the book, size, typeset, price, finish, colour and presentation are all with the production department. Publicists are passed an entirely finished book and our job is to assist the author in selling the book, and growing a platform and buzz. 

We will not be able to start publicising your book until we have all the information about it. Publicity officially starts when you receive a letter from us with a publication date. Before this, your book is in production or being finalised with the designers.

This being said, you can start marketing early on yourself and it will usually be hugely helpful for your book. Here are a few things you can start with

Start on social media

If you do not already have a social media presence, we highly encourage getting one. You can engage with readers, follow hashtags and grow an audience. If you need any help in setting up social media, please check out these helpful links:

Instagram how to: https://help.instagram.com/155940534568753

Twitter how to: https://www.lifewire.com/join-twitter-by-setting-up-account-3486230

Facebook how to: https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/how-to-create-a-facebook-author-page/

Follow bookstores, newspapers and fellow authors, start that buzz!

Start a list of contacts

If you know your demographic and audience, get started now. Start a list of bookstores, radio, magazines, news, libraries… maybe even book clubs, anywhere you feel could be interested. Note down their name, email and telephone number. Plan out who you feel should receive a press release. This will help our publicity team in the future.

Ask around

You can start some initial contacting now. Speak to some local media outlets such as newspapers and phone or pop in (if you can) to your local bookshop and start a working relationship. Ask if they would be interested in a feature once you’re released. Do not give any dates, simply ask if there is any interest.

We highly recommend not booking anything in, as publishing can be very unpredictable, as is the market. Events should only be booked after you’ve been given a provisional publication date.

Enlisting the help of friends and family to promote

Your friends and family are often the first step, so start early. Let them know what is coming! Get the word out there.