Many first-time authors mistakenly believe they need to wait until their book is published to start seeing its impact. This is not the case. There are numerous options for how to leverage your book before its published, allowing it to start making an impact and even generating a financial return. Here, we’ll explore various strategies to help ensure you’re writing the right book for the right market and that it will positively impact your business, readership, and yourself.
1. Reader Input
Involving your potential audience in the content creation process can build interest and investment in your book’s success. Here are some effective techniques for how to leverage your book before it’s published, particularly during the writing phase:
Interviews & Case Studies: Interviewing your existing clients who value your work can provide additional evidence for your book’s principles without coming across as boastful. This method not only enriches your content but also validates your insights with real-world examples. By doing this, you demonstrate the practical applications of your concepts, making your book more relatable and credible to readers.
Surveys & Polls: Use these tools to gather up-to-date insights from your potential readers. Advertise your survey in groups or forums where your ideal readers are active to ensure relevant input. This approach helps in grounding your book in current trends and issues, making it more relevant and appealing. Additionally, sharing the results of these surveys and polls within your book can add a layer of data-driven credibility to your narrative.
Crowdsourcing Content: Invite potential readers to contribute personal stories or solutions to specific challenges. This adds fresh content and widens the scope of your book. Crowdsourced content can introduce diverse perspectives and insights that you might not have considered, enriching your book’s content. Be transparent with contributors about how their input will be used, ensuring they feel valued and respected.
Co-Authorship: Co-authoring with another expert can combine readerships and expertise, though it requires clear communication and a pre-agreed framework to manage different perspectives and egos. This collaboration can lead to a richer, more comprehensive book by blending different viewpoints and areas of expertise. However, successful co-authorship depends on mutual respect and a shared vision for the book.
Explore Reader Preferences: Engage your audience in creative decisions like cover design and interior formatting through public votes. This generates free publicity and builds excitement for your book. Involving your readers in these decisions not only makes them feel invested in your book’s success but also ensures the final product resonates with them visually and stylistically.
2. Beta Readers & Advance Reader Copies (ARCs)
There are two effective techniques for how to leverage your book before it’s published, during the editing phase:
Beta Readers: These are selected members of your target audience who review your manuscript during the writing phase. Their feedback helps identify issues and improve the book before professional editing. Beta readers provide a reality check, ensuring your content is clear, engaging, and relevant. By addressing their feedback early, you can avoid major revisions later in the process.
Advance Reader Copies (ARCs): ARCs are final production copies sent to influential members of your target audience before the official release to generate buzz and gather testimonials. Unlike beta readers, ARC readers are not asked for feedback but for reviews and promotional support. These reviews can be crucial for building credibility and anticipation for your book’s release.
To effectively manage both beta readers and ARC readers, create clear guidelines and timelines for their involvement. Communicate your expectations clearly and express gratitude for their participation. Offering incentives, such as exclusive content or acknowledgements in the book, can also enhance their engagement and support.
3. Webinars
Webinars can be an excellent opportunity for how to leverage your book before it’s published. They can break down core methodologies or address common questions related to your book’s topic. Webinars offer direct engagement with your readers, allowing for real-time feedback and relationship-building. They also serve as a platform for promoting pre-orders and generating leads for potential clients.
Promoting Webinars: Combine your webinar with your overall book marketing campaign or run a separate promotion. Capture the email addresses of attendees to grow your email list and track key metrics to assess the success of your sessions. Engaging in promotional strategies, such as offering exclusive content or early access to the book for webinar attendees, can significantly boost participation and interest.
Timing: Schedule your webinar when your book is far enough along in the publishing process to have a confirmed cover design, on-sale date, and pre-order link. Consider recording sessions for those who can’t attend live. Offering recorded sessions ensures that your content reaches a broader audience, maximizing your book’s exposure.
Webinars can also be an opportunity to test new content or ideas before finalizing them in your book. The interactive nature of webinars allows you to gauge audience reactions and adjust your material accordingly, ensuring it resonates with your target readership.
4. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding can provide the financial support needed to cover essential publishing expenses and significantly boost your marketing efforts. Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Patreon make managing a crowdfunding campaign straightforward.
Creating a Compelling Campaign: Develop a clear value proposition and engaging storytelling, supported by an engaging video. Offer attractive backer rewards such as special edition copies, exclusive discounts, or bonus content. A successful crowdfunding campaign hinges on effectively communicating your book’s unique value and potential impact.
Engaging Backers: Provide regular updates on your project’s progress and maintain transparency. Publicly thank your backers to foster a sense of community and encourage them to share your project on their platforms. This ongoing engagement can turn your backers into advocates who actively promote your book.
Post-Campaign Benefits: Use the success of your crowdfunding campaign for ongoing marketing and promotional content. Acknowledge your backers publicly to further increase your book’s reach. The momentum generated by a successful crowdfunding campaign can propel your book’s visibility and pre-sales.
Crowdfunding also allows you to gauge the market interest in your book before it’s published. By assessing the level of support and feedback during the campaign, you can make informed decisions about your marketing and distribution strategies.
Next Steps
By incorporating these strategies, you can start leveraging your book’s potential even before its official release. These techniques not only help improve your book’s quality but also build anticipation and ensure a successful launch. To delve deeper into these strategies and learn more about making your book a powerful tool for your business, pre-order a copy of my latest book “THE WRITE STRATEGY: A No-Nonsense Guide to Boosting Your Thought Leadership Through Publishing”. Discover how to transform your book into a game-changer for your career!
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