Lessons On Marketing (#1)

Writing a novel draws most writers into a new world. It is the creative spark that starts the ball rolling and lands each of us, at some point, on the path to the Land of Publishing. Think of yourself like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She didn't know the tornado (novel) would land her far far from home (your comfort zone in the normal world). When you write that first manuscript and want to see it published, it's already too late. The winds have picked up and they're heading your way.

You'll be swept up and carried to the land of Publishing and find yourself lost in a sea of information. You'll meet writer friends along the way who will help you, but the time will come when you near Oz (the Land of Print).

At this point you will need to consider marketing and promoting yourself and your (soon-to-be) book. There are many things you can do to start marketing your not-yet-published masterpiece.

Dorothy didn't have the ruby slippers for nothing, right? She needed those to continue on her journey, and these tips will help you on yours. I will put them in list form, so they're easy to refer back to.

Dorothy followed the Yellow Brick Road with friends to help her along the way. And that's what I'd like to do - help you along the way.

Pre Published - Lay the Foundation

1. Start a website or blog. (or both) Keep it simple, clean, and professional. Check out other writer's sites and take notes.

2. Watch what published authors are doing and how they're doing it and take notes.

3. Plan ahead. I can't stress this enough.

4. Have an author photo done and ready to go.

5. Start following and getting to know other writer's blogs and book review blogs. (You need both.)

6. Join Goodreads, Library Thing, Twitter, and Agent Query. (There are tons of sites to join - pick your favorites and jump in!) You may not think you have the time, but if you drop in once a week for a few minutes you'll learn the ropes and meet people.

7. Start saving money for marketing. Even if you can tuck away $5 a week, it will help. You will need to pay for things like printed material and postage. Having some money tucked away will be helpful.

8. Make lists of people, places, businesses, groups, and organizations that you plan to tell about your book. Update this list as more people and places come to mind.

9. Search for possible venues near your area that might host events for you like book fairs, events of note in your community, the farmers market, the county fair. Keep a calender of events and note their dates and deadlines for signing up. (This will save you tons of time when you're in full marketing mode - trust me.)


Many of you may already know all of this, but you'd be surprised at just how many people ask me these questions. My next post will be on marketing steps during the publishing process. And the final one in the series will be on marketing after your book is published. I hope they help guide you along the way.

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On a side note I'm visiting over at The AnaRissa Chronicles today with a short guest interview. If you'd like to drop by and visit, we'd love to have you.