Building Your Promotional Platform

What to do before you publish

by

Laurel Bradley

You can and should begin marketing before you publish. I know you are asking, “Why? I don’t even have a contract with a publisher yet.” That’s okay. Building your marketing platform may help with that too. Look at publisher and agent websites. Many give advice like that listed on Folio Literary Management’s website sample query page.

 “I am writing to ask if you would be interested in representing me. I am enclosing an outline, synopsis, sample chapter(s), press clippings about my other published works, endorsements by: (1) bestselling authors; (2) celebrities; (3) experts; (4) other people who really would be useful for endorsements, and, of course, a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage if I want all of my materials returned to me.” http://www.foliolit.com/sub-basicquery.php

Here, it’s done tongue in cheek, but it’s meant seriously. Publisher and agents want to know three things: Can you write? Can you sell yourself? Can they sell you/your work? Show them you can do the first two and your chances of them deciding they can do the third greatly improve. The items listed below may not get your celebrity endorsements, but they will get your name out there and show your prospective publisher/agent that you view your writing as a business.

1. Set up a website. You will need one once you are published. Why not create one now? You’ll need a place to put your blog. You can post back-of-the-book blurbs for you upcoming books here. This is also the perfect place to list your articles and appearances.
2. Blog. Have guest bloggers. This increases traffic to your site.
3. Review books. (My article “Writing Reviews” is located on my website www.laurelbradley.com under Media, Articles.)
4. Visit your local bookstore(s) and make friends with the owners.
5. Join a writer’s group that specializes in your genre and get active. These groups are great resources for writing, publishing, and promotional information. They are also filled with people who love the genre you write.
6. Join a book club. These people read and have friends who read. They can be a great promotional army once you become published.
7. WRITE—this is very important. This provides the product you will eventually sell.
8. Take writing classes to make certain that your craft is the best it can be. It will also give you the terminology you will need when talking to others in the business. There are small things that can label you a newbie. Learn what those things are and avoid them. (My article “Dos and Don’ts List for New Authors” is located at www.laurelbradley.com under Media, Articles.)
9. Take marketing classes, especially book marketing classes so you know what your goals are and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Now is the time to learn how to write a press release.
10. Get involved on loops—make connections. You want to have name recognition.
11. Write articles and submit them to e-zines, magazines, newspapers, and your blog. Make yourself an expert.

Building your promotional platform sets you up for success. This business of words is often all about numbers. Every promotional avenue you explore before you publish is an avenue you can take advantage of after you become published to increase your sales and insure your second book will sell.

Wisconsin author Laurel Bradley’s first novel, the romantic time-travel A Wish in Time, was released February 2007 and was a finalist in the 2007 National Indie Excellence Book Awards. Crème Brûlée Upset, her contemporary romance, was released in January 2008. Bradley enjoys sharing the lessons she has learned about new technologies, networking and the importance of savvy marketing with other book enthusiasts and writers.