Opinions! I need opinions here.
Tell me what you think about advanced promo.
I was always a little skittish about promoting a book too soon. I learned this from other authors who had learned the hard way that if you spilled too much info about your upcoming release too soon, you stood the chance of having the release delayed or, in some horrifying cases, pulled out from under you completely.
I've known authors whose books were tied up production for months when their editor left their publisher and they found themselves with a new editor who asked for sweeping changes to a project that had been only weeks away from publication. I've known authors who spent money on fliers, ads, even radio spots announcing their book launch only to have the launch delayed by weeks or months.
With self-publishing, I have only myself to rely on, which takes away some of the guess work. I know no one will ask me to rewrite half my book a week before its debut. I know my launch dates are as set in stone as I can make them, and if I don't deliver as promised, I know where I live, so I can show up on my doorstep and demand an explanation from myself.
Nevertheless, I still worry that I won't be able to pull all this off as flawlessly as I imagine. So my question is, for a January release, when would you start to promote your book in earnest? I don't mean just mention that it's coming out, but releasing cover art, possibly exerpts or other snippets to whet readers' appetites?
I always felt, if I saw something about a book that looked interesting, any promo was wasted if I couldn't immediately go and buy the book because odds are I would forget about it if I had to wait months to get it.
So, hit me with your best promo advice - do or don't, is six months in advance too soon?
4 comments:
If you figure out the answer to this question, let me know.
I hate doing promo work. It's anti-my personality --so I'd say to leave it for a few months, but I don't think I'm particularly good at it, so I wouldn't take my own advice, lol.
I think there's a fine line btwn building buzz, and coming across like the women who want to spritz you with perfume at the department store....I just don't know how to walk that line.
My I'm helpful....
I'd say start now with little things - a hint dropped here, a mention there. Even this post is a little promo. It's a way for people who know you through Killer Chicks to learn you have a book coming out. (Which I didn't know, and now I want more info, so this worked.) If you have a title for it, sneak that in somewhere. Then as you go through the steps to getting your book published, write little posts about your journey. When you get a cover, post that. (Or if you already have one, wait a couple months from now and post it.) Build buzz a little bit at a time.
But try to make it feel like it's growing of its own accord. Not like you're trying to get people to buy used cars or attend those irritating Vegas condo pitch meetings. (If you've never been exposed to one, they're awful.) More like you're talking to friends about something awesome that is happening to you - which you are.
All easier said than done, I know. And I've never done it myself, so this is just advice from seeing how other authors have done it.
JB, in my book, [pun intended] promo is a four-letter word. I actually feel guilty about tooting my own horn most of the time, which is silly, I know, but I literally have a fear of drawing attention to myself.
B.E., you may have the solution - just do what I'm doing on not worry so much about timing. I know people agonize over the 'right' way to promo, but I'm a firm believer that less is more...and [bwahahaha] I've intrigued you, haven't I?? :)
I've heard six months is a good time to start, but three months is where the "in earnest" comes in. Movie trailers are very much the same. Best of luck! :)
Post a Comment