It’s never too early to start promoting your book. Pre-publication marketing can give you a big jump-start and give your new book the boost it needs for a successful launch. We’ve compiled some proven strategies to generate buzz for your book long before release day.
Pre-Publication Marketing Ideas that Build Excitement
Create a Captivating Book Trailer
Videos reign supreme in today’s world, and a book trailer can be a great way to capture your audience’s attention and boost excitement for your release. What is a book trailer? Basically, it’s like a movie trailer, but for a book.
- For fiction (including memoir) tease the story to create intrigue and anticipation. Don’t summarize your story; choose big moments, themes, a unique plot line… something that draws people in.
- For non-fiction share how the wisdom and insight you share in your book can make other people’s lives better. Also include why you are an expert and what qualifies you to write about this subject.
- There are great tools already in place to create your book trailer. If you have a CanvaPro membership there are templates ready to go. Animoto has a free program to use and tips on, How to Make a Book Trailer.
Do a Cover Reveal
People do judge a book by its cover, so create anticipation and excitement by building up to a cover reveal.
- Unveil little bits of the cover at a time.
- Do an unboxing video when you get your proof copy.
- Host an online or in-person party where attendees get an exclusive first look at the cover.
- Give your email subscribers first look at the cover.
Begin Connecting With Your Readers to Generate Buzz for Your Book
Start Building an Email List for an Author Newsletter
An author newsletter is essential to stay connected to your readers. It allows you to stay in control of your messaging and reach all of your readers (whereas on social media, you don’t know who has seen your posts). If you already have one started, keep building it. If not, there are easy ways to get started.
- Participate in a CraveBooks List Building Giveaway for your genre and get a couple hundred reader emails. This is a fast and easy way to grow your author email list.
- Create a reader magnet. This is free digital content given to a reader in exchange for their email address. This can be an excerpt from the book (like the first 5-10 chapters, a short story relevant to or in a similar style to the book, or for nonfiction a resource document).
- Create engaging news letters that readers will look forward to receiving. Provide updates, insight into you as an author and a person, news such as where you might be making an in-person appearance, and fun extras like recipes, funny comics, book recommendations.
Create Author Social Media Accounts
Choose the platform(s) where you are most likely to find your readers – and choose the one (or more) that you enjoy and will be able to consistently post. Share your cover with a teaser quote, post longer excerpts, debut your book trailer, post other teaser videos, talk about your writing process, share photos of your book, you, your pet, your favorite things…these are just a few ideas to get you started. Be sure to engage with people who comment on your posts, too.
Generate Early Sales With Pre-Publication Marketing
Run a Pre-Order Campaign
You can make your ebook preorder available on the retailer sites long before (up to a year in some cases) you’re ready to release it. To encourage readers to pre-order your book and build momentum for your release day sales, offer an incentive.
- Readers can provide proof of their pre-order to receive a gift from you, such as a bookmark or digital artwork or a bonus scene or chapter.
- Upload an epub file for release day that includes a bonus scene or chapter, which all pre-orders exclusively receive. Then on release day, upload a new file without the bonus for everyone who purchases after.
Secure as Many Reviews Before Release Day as Possible
Reviews provide social proof to others about the quality of your book. Having reviews ready to go on launch day helps readers who haven’t heard of you before make a decision.
- Create an advanced reader team who agrees to read the book prior to release and be willing to write an honest review on release day.
- Secure quotes from other authors or book bloggers that you can add to the Editorial Content in Author Central.
- Send advanced copies to social media influencers and ask if they will read and review on their platform.
By investing time into generating buzz for your book before the release date, you set the stage for a successful book launch and long-term success. Each of the book marketing strategies covered, from creating an engaging book trailer to building a robust email list, helps to build excitement among your readers. Remember, the key is consistency and creativity in your book promotion efforts. As you build momentum, stay engaged with your readers and adapt your strategies to keep the excitement going about your upcoming book. With a well-executed pre-publication marketing plan, you’ll not only boost your initial book sales but also foster a loyal reader base eager for your future works. These pre-launch strategies are essential for authors who want to maximize their book’s visibility and impact.
