One of the best things about the publishing industry is how multifaceted it is; a lot of different people doing a lot of different things. In a field that exemplifies delegation, dividing and conquering, and team-working making the dream-working, it’s more important than ever to outline who handles what. While a lot of marketing and publicity work happens on the publisher’s side of things, there’s plenty that authors can do early on to set their title up for success. Here’s an introduction to what you can get started on your end:
As the author, you are the best advocate for your book. You know it better than anyone else, and you know who will love it. So in the early stages after acquisition, you can focus on getting your book out there on your end. Which really means putting yourself out there. Consider which platforms your audience are most likely to use, and start getting to know them. The best way to understand social media is to use it yourself. Start following bookstagrammers, other authors you read, local bookstores, and so on. Build your online community early so that it’s steady and thriving by the time pub day comes! But don’t forget to brush up on the basics: when’s the last time you updated your website? If it’s due for a makeover, start there. And be sure to link to your socials!
Speaking of community, lean on your circle! Contacts are one of the strongest assets an author can share with their publishing team, particularly in the early stages. Start a spreadsheet, organized by how you know folks (or want to know them!). Do you have ideas for relevant colleagues who might be interested in a blurb? Or your favorite independent bookstore you’d love to collab with? Jot down your thoughts on different contacts. When your publishing team is ready to reach out, we’ll be well prepared. And that goes for other ideas you have, from readings to interviews to guest appearances. Do some digging to be sure what’s a good fit for your book, with the intent to reach your target audience. It’s never too early to gather ideas for post-pub events, features, or media. In fact, brainstorming is a fantastic way to get the ball rolling. An author who understands the feasibility of certain ideas—and has done their research!—and still comes prepared with an open mind and enthusiasm, is always appreciated.
Your publisher is putting in consistent, concentrated efforts to market your book, not to mention the overlapping responsibilities of editorial, operations, design, and so on. Particularly in a press like Ooligan, there’s a lot of moving parts. But there’s stuff we can do, and there’s stuff you can do. Hopefully this gives you an idea of how to get started!
And remember, marketing doesn’t end at publication. Building these best practices early not only gets you in the habit of posting, sharing, collaborating, and more, it maintains momentum so that you can keep it up before, during, and after pub day. This is only the beginning!