Book Promotion Timeline by Jordan Dane

 

9-12 months prior to release

·         Communicate with your in-house publicist what you are willing to do to augment their efforts.  They are developing their marketing plan for your book at this time. 

For example:  If you are willing to assume the cost of a regional book tour you need to let them know. 

·         Keep an open mind to any suggestions your publisher makes regarding commitments that will be helpful in promoting your book

 

4-6 months prior to release

·         Publisher should be mailing out ARC’s or bound galleys to their designated list of reviewers.  (Typically, this includes all major review publications such as Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and key online reviewers, etc.)

·         Acquire a copy of the publisher’s mailing list (IF they are willing to share it) so that your efforts will not be a duplication.

 

1-3 months prior to release

·         Supply .pdf ARC’s to those online reviewers accepting this format

·         Distribute your author hard copy ARC’s or bound galleys received from the publisher (if you receive some)

Note: Do not duplicate ARC mailings of your publisher. ARC’s are valuable so don’t duplicate submissions.

·         Start looking for online author features, spotlights, interviews, etc. and plan to have these post either right before the book is released (1 week preferably) or right after release (within 3-week window)

·         Mail promotional items to booksellers

 

At release

·         E-mail your reader list with a reminder of the book release date and include link for purchasing the book from any of the major booksellers.

·         Arrange a “Book Launch” event at your local bookseller. (This can usually be arranged with little or no cost to the author.)

·         Arrange features in your local paper, local magazines, news programs, etc. if possible.

 

Post release

·         Follow up with any special features, charity events, conferences, etc. to keep your name out in front of readers

·         Focus on promoting any bestseller lists you attain

·         Establish e-mail newsletter to your reader list to update them on your appearances, etc

 

 

 

Make Your Own Book Trailer to Save Money

 

Royalty Free Photo Links (or Small Fee for Image)

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/?sid=cee0b80c57fa7eb67cb53fe060a3d497 MORGUE FILE

 

http://www.sxc.hu/ STOCK EXCHG

 

http://www.dreamstime.com/freephotos DREAMSTIME

 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia Commons

 

Royalty Free Music & Sound Effects Files

Sound Dogs

http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?Type=&CategoryID=2008&SubcategoryID=10

 

WAV Central - http://www.wavcentral.com/

 

 

Microsoft Windows Moviemaker

“How to” Steps on Moviemaker - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/videos/create.mspx

 

 

Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/ Or visit http://www.youtube.com/Jordandanebooks to see Jordan Dane book trailers and other fun stuff.