I asked this question in a workshop recently. People hesitated. They looked at one another. Then someone took a deep breath and said it all depended on whether the person with the book contract was a fiction writer or a non-fiction writer.
She explained that fiction writers had probably already finished writing the book, so could wait for feedback on the manuscript. A non-fiction writer might barely have started writing, so now needed to get on with writing the book.
I don’t see such a distinction.
The thing to do as soon as you get that contract signed is to start marketing.
- Even if you don’t know what the book will be called: start marketing.
- Even if you’re not sure when it will be published: start marketing.
Then think about your business and where the new book, or the first book, will fit into your overall strategy for business development. You should know this already, of course, because you will have written the book to fit in with your larger business plan. At least, I hope you will.
Whatever your answer to that question, here are some things to be getting on with as soon as you have your contract.
Get your message out
Ger a press release or media release out to the local paper or to the regional press.
In it, stress your success. Stress the fact that you are local and whatever you can think of that would appeal to someone flicking through next week’s paper.
Start promoting yourself (not your book)
If you’re a non-fiction writer, that’s easy. You are an expert in a particular field. You are knowledgeable about a subject that people want to read about. Seek out the journals that your potential audience reads. Start submitting ideas for features that will be of interest to the readership. Get your name known before your book comes out. Make sure you mention your forthcoming book at the end of each piece you write.
If you’re a fiction writer, then you’ll need to be a bit more creative. You’ll also need to be clear about the people you are writing for. If you write for teenagers and young adults, then which of their magazines could you contribute to? Will you write fiction or non-fiction for this audience? What are the topics that are related to your novel – location, situation and so on? Where could you write about similar issues?
In all cases you are aiming to make sure your name is known to your potential audience before your book comes out.
Update your website
If you don’t have a website, then get a website.
You need an online presence. Snap up the domain name for the title to the book (once you know what it is), if you can.
Get some useful content up there. Make sure it’s related to your book and relevant to your audience.
Get your site search engine optimised. That means make it friendly to the web spiders.
Start making links to other sites, too.
Adopt a positive approach
Remind yourself you are an expert.
Remind yourself that you do have something valuable to say to your audience.
Remind yourself that people are interested in what you have to say.
Remind yourself that you can add value to people’s lives.
Think about the best ways you can serve your potential audience and do so.
Ask yourself: what next?
This book contract is only the beginning. What other products and services could you offer to your audience? How else could you add value to your audience?
Above all ask yourself the following question:
How could you use this book to build your career in business as a writer?
About Margaret Adams
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