Professional Development – Pre-Publication Book Marketing – How to find readers before your book launch

It may seem counterintuitive to think about book marketing before your work is out in the world, but the truth is this is often the best time to start finding potential readers and building a following. Particularly on social media and other digital channels, where effective book marketing is all about building relationships and community around your work, taking some time to establish your author platform in these early days is a worthwhile use of time and will reap dividends further down the line when you’re launching your book.

Programme

• Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish, Events & Outreach Assistant, SoA (5 mins)
• Presentation by Anna Caig (45 mins)
• Comfort break (5 mins)
• Q&A with audience (20 mins)
• Summary and closing comments (5 mins)

Who is this workshop for?

This session is suitable for debut authors thinking about book marketing for the first time, but also more established authors working towards the launch of the latest in a longer catalogue of work.

What will this workshop cover?

• How to establish your author brand when you’re still writing your book
• Marketing strategy for pre-publication authors
• What messages and content work well to engage potential readers before your book is launched
• Taking potential readers on a journey – how to make readers feel invested before they’ve read a page
• Planning for an effective book launch

Send us your questions in advance

If you would like to send questions in advance, email lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Book Marketing’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.

The line -up

Anna Caig – communications specialist

Anna Caig has worked in communications for 18 years, specialising in media relations, reputation management and strategic marketing campaigns. She began her training business to support writers to build their brand and reach more readers. She now works with traditionally, indie and self-published writers, as well as helping creatives in any discipline find a wider audience. Since setting up Anna Caig Communications, she has worked with over 250 authors to help them spread the word about their work in a way that is authentic to why they write in the first place.

Anna tutors on the MA Journalism course at The University of Sheffield and is the former Head of Communications at Sheffield City Council. She writes crime and historical fiction, and reviews books for the Sheffield Telegraph and on her blog.

Website: www.annacaigcomms.co.uk    | Twitter: @AnnaCaig

Need to know

Before the event

• Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
• If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
• Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation, and reminder emails

During the event

• This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
• This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
• Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript option
• This event is 90 minutes

After the event

• Hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
• You’ll be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel

Booking

Book your place by using the registration below.

All SoA @ Home Festival Professional Development sessions are free to SoA Members but, if you can afford it, we recommend a minimum £5 donation to the Authors’ Contingency Fund to help us support authors facing financial hardship during the health crisis. DONATE HERE