Start Marketing Your Book Today-Whether You've Finished It or Not!

Although everyone thinks about book marketing AFTER they've published a book, smart authors start before they even go to press. Especially as a first-time author, if you start marketing your book at least six months before it's done, then you can build an audience of readers who are ready to buy as soon as the book becomes available.

Here's a few ways to get started now.

1. Build a Web Site
When you publish your book, you'll need a web site to promote it and sell it. Although your book may not be finished, you can start building the web pages and getting traffic. Your web site can be as simple as a blog, or if you already have a business web site, just add book sales pages and information to what you already have. Or you can build a web site specifically to market your book. Just make sure you web site content appeals to your intended book audience so you can get people excited about your book's release. In other words, give people a reason to come back and buy your book.

2. Publish Articles
Writing and publishing articles, both online and in print, is an excellent way to build a buzz around your book-even before it's done. People will see a sample of your writing, your expertise, and the solutions you can offer. And articles, especially ones posted on article distribution sites online, tend to end up in a variety of places and reach a broad audience of people who may never have heard of your book otherwise. This is something you should start now, particularly if you want to publish articles in print magazines, because their lead times can be six months or more.

3. Build a List
When it comes to book marketing, a list of people interested in who you are and what you do is priceless. Start building a database of names, e-mail addresses, and mailing addresses of everyone you know and meet who wants the kind of information your book provides. To grow your list, add an opt-in box to your web site, offer a free sample of the book, and network at events. Then as soon as you're book is ready, you can send everyone on your list a note to let them know.

Grow Your Readership Today
Your book doesn't have to be finished-you can start promoting it today. You can put together a web site, publish articles in magazines and sites that your audience likes to read, and encourage people to get on your list and stay in touch. When you build excitement about your book now, you'll grow a following of readers who can't wait to buy it hot off the press.