We’re nearing the end of our series on book proposals! So far we’ve talked about the Overview, the Author’s Bio, and the Competitive Analysis. Today we’ll tackle the Marketing Plan.
This is a biggie, because publishers (and therefore literary agents) are more concerned with author platforms than ever. In addition to having the basics – an author website (a non-negotiable), social media, and so on – it’s important that you have a way of illustrating how you are currently interacting with potential readers/book buyers. This is what you have been doing, what you are doing now AND what you will be doing in the future.
Many authors make the mistake of focusing on the future, but promises made frequently do not turn out as promises fulfilled. If an agent or editor is going to fight for you, they are going to need some ammo – this is where the marketing plan comes in.
To begin with, list of all of the media you have done in the past and will do to promote this book, such as:
Radio/Podcasts
Print
Television
Internet/Online
Also important to include:
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. (any social media presence)
Size of your mailing list
Awards/Recognition
LinkedIn
Website
Blogging/guest blogging
Speaking/Special Sales
Workshops/Seminars
Paid/Free Speaking
Webinars/Teleconferences/Facebook lives
Consulting
Connections to VIPs in the industry
Media training you have
There is no page limit, but usually ends up being a few pages long. And make sure you are consistently updating this – if you have five more speaking engagements (even if they are done virtually), make sure you add those.
As I said before the #1 thing to keep in mind here is this: it’s not about what you’re GOING to do, or CAN do – it’s what you HAVE done and what you’re doing RIGHT NOW! This is not something that is done AFTER the book is published – while it is being written and edited, while it is being published, AFTER it is being published, on and on.
Worried about not having a lot of media? Try these tips:
Pitch yourself to the media – tie your book into current events/issues
Use resources like HARO, PitchRate, and SourceBottle – these are sites where reporters’ post requests for sources for their articles. You can respond to them – if they elect to use your quote, advice, etc., this will count toward your list of media!
This may sound harrowing or overwhelming, but just know that you probably have more than you think you do. Look at other authors who admire and see what they’re doing and how they are reaching their readers – then copy them! (That doesn’t mean literally copy the words they are using, of course – just mirror the actions they are taking.)
You can do this! You’re going to have a killer book proposal in your hands before you know it. (https://turn-the-page-book-coaching-editorial.ck.page/products/author-platform) Make your Marketing Plan happen.
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