When to start promoting?

[Lorine]

I am in the middle writing the follow-up to my first book and was wondering, when exactly do I start marketing/promotions for it? I was late with my debut (about three weeks prior) and don't want to run into the same issues. Then again, unless I read wrong a lot of the sites I visited wanted proof, i.e, link for availability and such.

[Christina]

Depends on the type of promotion, I guess. Usually while writing, I throw out a teaser line or progress report. I don't usually start trying to actively generate buzz (cover reveal, blurb, etc) until I have completed the first draft. Typically that gives me 1-2 months of build up.

[[deleted user]]

I started promoting my last novel on my website starting as far back as July of last year. I was certain that I'd have it finished by the end of October, and I kept saying as much. I had to keep pushing the deadline back further and further until, finally I published it just this January. It started selling from day one. Was that the result of my inept promo attempt to get it out in October? I don't know; it could have been many other things. But I can't discount it entirely. My website has little daily traffic, but over time it does mount up.

[Lorine]

Actually working on my website now. Should be done in a couple of weeks.

[Dianne]

It's the relationships you are building that are important, and they take time. If you can begin interacting with people while you're writing, that's what my mentor says works.

By the way, good luck with your book published in January - sounds like you've done something right. Way to go!

[Lorine]

Thanks Dianne! Although sometimes I feel as though I am so far behind the rest of the pack.

[Renee]

Honestly, giving it a couple months to build up hype is a good idea. I didn't know ANYTHING about promoting when I published my first book so I really had nothing when it came out. I just wanted to publish. Now I'm redoing the cover and adjusting some things on it while working on my second and third books together. Start talking about it now, that way people know it's coming. Mention it in any author interviews you do and definitely do a cover reveal. It garners interest which gets people talking about it!

[Lorine]

Renee wrote: "Honestly, giving it a couple months to build up hype is a good idea. I didn't know ANYTHING about promoting when I published my first book so I really had nothing when it came out. I just wanted to..."

Thanks for the advice. I just started working on it, I had to give myself a break...lol. Haven't done any author interviews as of yet but will look into it!

[Lola]

I would recommend to start about a month or three in advance with promoting your book. And do a cover reveal or somethgin like that once you have a final cover and blurb, also add it to goodreads as soon as possible.
And indeed making contact with other authors or readers is something you can start as early as you want already.

[Lorine]

Thanks Lola, I have made come great connections on here!