If you plan to self-publish a book, it's important to start building your audience well before your book's publication date. Building an audience can help you create buzz around your book, generate pre-orders, and increase your chances of success once your book is released. In this article, we'll explore several strategies for building an audience before you publish your book.
Start a blog or website
One of the best ways to build an audience is to start a blog or website. This will give you a platform to share your ideas, connect with readers, and build a community around your work. Make sure to include a sign-up form on your website to collect email addresses, so you can keep your readers updated on your progress and let them know when your book is available.
Use social media
Social media can be a powerful tool for building an audience. Choose the platforms that best suit your needs and start engaging with readers and other authors. Share updates on your writing progress, post excerpts from your work, and connect with others in the writing community. Make sure to use hashtags to increase your visibility and participate in relevant conversations to expand your reach.
Create a newsletter
A newsletter can be a great way to keep your readers updated on your progress and build anticipation for your book. Collect email addresses on your website and social media, and send regular updates to your subscribers. This is also a great way to offer exclusive content, like sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process.
Attend events and conferences
Attending events and conferences is a great way to connect with other authors, agents, publishers, and potential readers. Look for events that are relevant to your genre and audience, and be sure to bring business cards or other promotional materials to hand out.
Offer pre-orders
Offering pre-orders is a great way to build buzz around your book before it's even released. Create a landing page on your website or use a platform like Amazon or Barnes & Noble to offer pre-orders. Be sure to inform your email subscribers and social media followers about the pre-order period, and offer exclusive incentives to those who pre-order.
Build relationships with influencers
Identify influencers in your genre or niche, and reach out to them to build a relationship. This could be bloggers, book reviewers, podcasters, or social media influencers. Offer them a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review or feature, and be sure to thank them publicly for their support.
Leverage your existing networks
Don't forget about your existing networks when it comes to building an audience. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues to let them know about your book and ask for their support. Offer them a free copy in exchange for an honest review, and encourage them to share your work with their own networks.
Building an audience before publishing your book is an important part of self-publishing. By using these strategies, you can create a community of readers who are excited about your work and eager to support you once your book is released.
There is a lot more to book design. If you feel you are not ready to jump into book design, I can certainly handle it! If you have any questions, please contact me.
Having an audience helps so much with a book (or any product) launch.