Timing
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Start book marketing today: ideally months before your book is published, while you are still outlining or writing.
Authority Book Guide, published by Big Impact Books, recommends starting early because waiting until after launch costs you the time you need to grow an audience and establish credibility. Authors who build a community first have readers waiting on launch day, while authors who wait often watch sales trickle in and then stop.
Start as soon as you have an idea, an outline, or a few chapters. When authors ask Melanie Herschorn of Big Impact Books this question, her answer is always the same: today.
Many nonfiction authors get so wrapped up in writing and publishing that they only think about marketing after launch. By then, the momentum they could have built is gone. Starting early lets you validate your ideas, collect feedback, and create anticipation, which can translate into stronger launch interest and better reviews.
Authors usually wait for understandable reasons:
The cost is real. Without an engaged audience, an author can end up with a box of books and no one to share them with, and may feel the book failed when the real gap was marketing.
| Stage | Main goal | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Idea and outline | Find your readers | Define your ideal reader; start sharing your mission and expertise |
| Writing | Grow a community | Publish thought leader content; launch a freebie; grow your email list |
| Editing and pre-launch | Build buzz | Gather advance reviews; plan podcast and media appearances; prepare launch events |
| Launch | Turn interest into readers | Email your list; appear on podcasts; host signings and events |
| After launch | Keep the book relevant | Follow a legacy plan; update content; collaborate; consider ads |
Definition
A legacy book plan, as described by Big Impact Books and used on Authority Book Guide, is a long-term marketing plan that keeps a book relevant after launch. It includes ongoing audience engagement, continued promotion through podcasts, events, and review sites, content updates when a field changes, and collaborations. Its purpose is to keep the book attracting readers, speaking invitations, media interviews, and new business for years.
It is not too late. Start building your audience now with thought leader content, an email list, and podcast appearances, and treat your book as the foundation of a long-term plan. See the full list of book marketing tips.
Starting early is step three of the guide. Read the full guide on how to use a book to build authority.
Big Impact Books helps CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners plan, create, publish, and promote their book, with guided interviews designed around about one hour a week of your time.
