Last week we discussed part 1 of the Book Marketing and Publicity Countdown Checklist. If you missed it, you can read about it here. Today, looking at part two.
When it comes to marketing and publicizing your book, having a list can really help. This week, we’re taking the next step.
Four months before publication:
- Launch your website
- Launch your blog
Both of these items are huge and obviously if you’re launching them now, you’ve been working on the design and the content for some time. Most everyone has a website, or should have one, but not everyone has a blog. That said, most writers and authors do because, well, that’s what they do. They write. An exception might be ghost writers since writing is not necessarily something they love to do.
Let’s begin with your website. You may already have had a site, but in honor of the book, you need to update some items in honor of the release of your book. This might include having an opt in, which we discussed briefly in the last edition of Savvy Sunday News. An opt in is a gift you give visitors to your site to invite them in to get to know you better. It also allows you to continue to market to them and/or fill them in on all your “book news.” to entice them, what is something your reader would really love to have that you are able to give? That should be your opt in.
Other items to add include:
- Endorsements
- Testimonials
- Photos of your book cover
- Media page or news room page (Where the above items can be placed)
What is a media page or newsroom and what goes in it? I am asked that question all the time. Some people create their own media room which is where they put everything about themselves. It’s a “Wall of Fame,” if you will. In this context, we want a news room or media room that is helpful to any earned media interested in covering you.
(Earned media = any media you get that involves someone else, as opposed to any content generation you create yourself, e.g., your blog, podcast, video, etc.)
Make it really clear that this is where media goes to get what they need by calling it “News Room” or “Media” or “Media Room” in your navigation bar.
The other action item to address four months prior to publication is to launch your blog. As with your website, if you already have one, then this is the time to be sure your posts begin talking about the key messages in your book. You can also write about all the behinds the scenes stuff regarding the process of writing your book, and share all the pieces that, for whatever reason, didn’t make it into the book. Give it that “behind the scenes” kind of feeling because everyone enjoys being the fly on the wall reading about your experiences. Your readers love that and it may help them to become raving fans. They want to have an inner glimpse of you and who you are. Share that with them.
Only two action items this month, but they’re big ones. Take the time to look over your website and blog and be sure everything is consistent with your overall, most important key messages. Good luck!
To you success!
Joanne
P.S. When you’re ready, it may be time for a media strategy session. Let me know and we’ll talk.