Yikes! Your Book is Coming Out Soon!

You come up with an idea and write your heart out. You read it to friends, family, and critique groups. You meet the editor that loves your story and gives you a contract for a book deal. Sigh...life is good.

The illustrator does an amazing job creating fabulous images for your text and makes the characters irresistible. Your book will come into the world soon. It's such an exciting time! But wait...

Your book is coming out soon! What will you do to be sure you aren't the only one buying it? What point is your story if no one reads it? Who will buy any of your other books if this one doesn't sell? 

Figuring out your book launch is an anxious time. There are so many options for letting the world know that your book exists. You can promote on social media, throw a book launch party, have book signings, buy swag, do book giveaways, and beg friends to write reviews for you. It's easy to have paralysis of analysis, trying to figure out which ways to spend your time and resources to best market your book.

You have to be careful you don't over-promote and make everyone sick of hearing your news, but be bold enough to share so people are aware. The ultimate goal is that word of mouth would spread organically to the target audience of people who would want your book. You hope those who support you, as a person, will support your creative work too.

The best way to get this kind of support is to support others. When a friend has a new product or book, buy it or write a review for him/her. When you are on social media, share others' posts and comment and like others' news. When someone hosts you on his/her blog, interview him/her in return. The publishing world is smaller than it appears. Taking the time to get to know and support others on their writing journey will develop important relationships.

There are lots of things you can do to help your sales. From buying ads to doing book tours. The most important thing though, is to build relationships so people will care about you and your books. If you have ideas on how to build relationships in the creative world, please share!