Beginning Steps of Marketing
Don't Feel Like Reading? Head over to my YouTube Channel where I break down The Very Beginning & Very Unintimidating Steps of Marketing or watch it here:
Ah, marketing. The word alone is enough to make me want to throw up. You’ve poured your heart and soul into creating your book, but now comes the daunting part: actually selling the damn thing. And guess what? Since we’re self-publishing, the responsibility of marketing falls squarely on our shoulders. Yep, cue the nausea. But before you reach for that brown paper bag, let’s talk about some of the very beginning, very easy steps to get you started on this wild marketing ride.
Step 1: Social Media – Pick Your Poison
Alright, let’s start with the basics. Social media is the beast you’ll need to tame if you want to get your book in front of eyeballs. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be everywhere at once. Are you vibing with YouTube and Pinterest? Great, lean into those. More comfortable sticking with Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook? That works too. Just pick your platforms and focus on them. No need to spread yourself thinner than you already are.
Step 2: Consistency is Key (Yep, You’ve Heard This Before)
Now, I know, you’ve heard the word “consistency” so many times it’s basically lost all meaning. But hear me out—being consistent with your content and having a cohesive brand is crucial. Why? Because people are creatures of habit. They like knowing what to expect and when to expect it. If you’re all over the place, posting once in a blue moon and switching up your style, your audience won’t know what to make of you. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds sales. Simple as that.
Step 3: Decide What (or Who) You’re Marketing
Here’s a fun little identity crisis for you: Are you marketing your book, or are you marketing yourself as an author? If you see writing as a career (and not just a one-off passion project), consider focusing on marketing yourself. Sure, your book is your baby, but if you play your cards right, you could be doing more than just selling books—you could be consulting, coaching, or even becoming the next big thing in the writing world. Think big, my friend!
Step 4: Get Yourself a Website – Yes, It’s That Important
If you don’t have a website yet, stop reading and go buy a domain. Seriously, GoDaddy is waiting. A website is like your online home base—a place where people can find out more about you, your book(s), and whatever else you’ve got cooking. And here’s a little tip: when buying that domain, think ahead. I made the mistake of buying a domain just for my book, only to realize I wanted to market myself too. So now, I’ve got two domains, one that I probably won’t do anything with. Save yourself the trouble (and money) and think long-term.
Step 5: Content Creation in Bulk – Because You’re Busy as Hell
Let’s face it: life is busy. Whether you’re juggling a full-time job, parenting, or both (ok… rockstar!), finding time to create content can feel impossible. That’s why bulk content creation is your new best friend. Block out a few days each month, get yourself camera-ready, and churn out as much content as you can in one go. Don’t like speaking on camera? No problem. Head over to ChatGPT and it’ll whip up a script faster than you can say, “marketing sucks.”
Step 6: Start Marketing Early – Like, Way Early
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that you can never start marketing too early. I’m talking six months before your book even hits the shelves. Start building your community, growing your following, and offering valuable resources like newsletters, freebies, and more. The clock is ticking whether you start now or not, so you might as well use that time wisely.
And that’s it for now, folks! If you need a recap (or just prefer to hear my voice), head over to my YouTube channel where I break down all this stuff. And don’t forget to subscribe—I’m committed to bringing you nothing but valuable content for aspiring authors.
Chow!
