At what point in your writing journey do you start promoting your book?

[emma]

At what point in your writing journey do you start promoting your book?

[Tomas, Wandering dreamer]

As someone who is a slow writer and working on a series, I plan to start when book 3 is nearly done (I'm now entering the late stage for book two). Simply because series are easier to promote (you have the potential to sell the sequels in addition to the first book) and because with the amount of books out there, people may easily forget you if the gaps between books are long.

[B.A.]

When you believe you are around the 6 months to publishing date. You want to start inexpensive ads, Finding bloggers or podcasters who will help promote your book. If you have an email list, keep them up to date and release a few fun things about the book. Just start building interest in the book(s). You want to get your marketing set up with what you plan on doing. If you have friend with email lists, get them to promote to their lists. Join a joint promotion when the book comes out if it is free or 99 cents.

Check out David Gaughran, he gives away a lot of free information on marketing. Tim Grahl is another one who is a professional marketer that has what you need to do an when.

If it is a series, do like Tomas and wait until you have at least 3 books done. Most readers don't want to wait for a year for the next book in a series.

[D.S.]

emma wrote: "At what point in your writing journey do you start promoting your book?"

At the mere thought of it, begin to talk, write, and post on social media about it. Tesla sold cars before they were even finished building them. The idea is to have your readers waiting for the book.

[Eileen]

If it's your first book, and you have no reputation in the field in which you are writing, wait until you're done. I write historical fiction and joined a number of Facebook groups interested in the era in which I am writing. That helped make my name familiar to people in those groups who might be interested.

[JAKe]

Eileen,
Did you find joining those Facebook groups in your genre helped you to sell books you wouldn't have otherwise?