Marketing a Book

The title sounds a little presumptuous, doesn’t it? As if I’m some sort of big-bad publicity machine from a Big 6 publishing house.

I’m not, as you know. But I am a marketing copywriter by day, so marketing is something I live and breathe anyway.

I decided to make a list of all the marketing tasks that need to happen for the launch of Forgotten April, in no particular order because my brain can’t handle putting it in any order right now.

• Proofread and finalize files: Mobi, ePub, PDF

• Finalize cover art

• Proof and finalize interior print files, spine, and back cover for Createspace

• Upload files to Amazon, B&N, Lulu, Scribd, Goodreads

• Request book reviews

• Refresh email, refresh email, refresh email while waiting for responses from said book reviewers

• Create book trailer

• Update YouTube Channel

• Draft the product description

• Create bookmark for Exceptional Women Awards goodie bags

• Breathe

• Create page for book on website

• Add book info to other relevant pages of website

• Update website home page

• Write blog posts supporting the launch

• Update “Buy Now” tab on Facebook

• Add book trailer to Facebook welcome page

• Swap in new profile picture on Facebook

• Do Facebook status updates around launch

• Update Squidoo Lens

• Do status update in LinkedIn

• Tweet, tweet, tweet — but don’t be obnoxious

• Eat chocolate

• Update Twitter bio

• Exercise off the chocolate

• Take part in blog tour

• Create/finalize banner ad(s)

• Buy ad space on Kindle Boards, Frugal eReader, and other places

• Make a pitcher of margaritas; drink

• Draft newsletter announcement in Constant Contact/schedule

• Update Kindle Boards signature

• Feed the cat

• Announce new title on Kindle Boards

• Set up Google Alerts for book title and name

• Bathe, at some point

• Claim book for Amazon Central author page

• Write and distribute press release over the wire (for back links, mostly)

• Brainstorm creative ways to get press

• Solicit and set up cross-channel promotions with clients/vendors

• Brainstorm ways to reach out to mommy book clubs

• Solicit people to take part in Forgotten April Shout-Out Day

• Say thank you. A lot.

I have no doubt I’m forgetting items. But this is a good list to work with at this point. I have a bunch of stuff done, like the cover art, final digital files, banner ads, and the book trailer. Still a lot to do…