As part of a Blog Tour organized by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, I am happy to have Michele Lynn Seigfried as my guest as she shares her insights on the multitude of tasks that authors should consider when planning their next book release.
A Marketing Timeline for the Busy Author
by Michele Lynn Seigfried
So you’ve written a book. How are you going to sell it? Ideally, you should be selling that book from the moment you started writing it. Marketing is hard work! Extremely hard work! Especially if you’re like me, holding down a full-time job and have one or more babies to take care of! (The adult varieties of babies count too!).
There is no right or wrong way to publicize your book. Below is a general pre-launch timeline that I use for marketing new books. One that won’t make you want to blow your brains out! I try to focus on only one task per week (when I can), so that I don’t get overwhelmed.
Time in Advance
of Book Launch Task
26+ weeks: Write & edit your book. Periodically post on social media to include your readers in your writing process and to create hype. You can include excerpts, announcements, polls, or ask for help with characters names or your book title! The social media sites I use are my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tsu, and Goodreads.
25 weeks: Finalize your book’s title. Announce it on Social Media.
24 weeks: Add info about your book to your website.
23 weeks: Create a book synopsis. Include it on your website and social media sites.
22 weeks: Solicit testimonials for use on your cover, webpage, and sales outlets.
21 weeks: Select your book launch date.
20 weeks: Set your marketing budget. Decide how much you want to spend on paid advertisements, book reviews, writing competitions, etc.
19 weeks: Send testimonials, artwork, etc., to your cover designer.
18 weeks: Order ARC copies.
17 weeks: Send out ARCs to professional reviewers, beta readers, and media outlets.
16 weeks: Create a video book trailer or hire someone to create one. Post it on YouTube, your webpage, and social media.
15 weeks: Do a Cover reveal. Ask or hire bloggers to help you. Post the cover on your website and social media.
14 weeks: Add your book to Goodreads. Add the cover and the video trailer.
13 weeks: Send your book out for awards. Decide which ones are in your budget and are available in the time frame you are seeking.
12 weeks: Put your book on Amazon for kindle presales. Add the presales link to your website and social media.
11 weeks: Set up a virtual book tour like this one!
10 weeks: Seek out more reviews. Ask people to post their reviews on Amazon after your book is launched.
9 weeks: Create or update your Amazon Author Central profile.
8 weeks: Contact libraries for appearances, schedule book shows.
7 weeks: Order marketing materials (such as bookmarks) and/or giveaway items.
6 weeks: Set up giveaways: Rafflecopter, Goodreads, Amazon, or your own. Consider using a giveaway during your virtual book tour to attract more visitors during the tour.
5 weeks: Write press releases and create a media kit with your new book information and author information.
4 weeks: Put one or more of your other books on sale or free for kindle. Consider paid marketing opportunities to announce your sales if that’s in your budget. Submit your sales to the multitude of websites that will not charge you to market your free or cheap book. Do a blast email with the sales info to your email list and to announce the new book that’s coming.
3 weeks: Answer interviews and write guest posts for your virtual blog tour and your own blog.
2 weeks: Post the first chapter of your book on your website. Send out social media posts letting readers know it’s there.
1 week: Post, tweet, post, tweet. Let the world know your new book is coming.
Launch Day: Change your website from saying “pre-order” to “now available.” Post other links where your book is available (Barnes and Noble, Kobo, etc.).
Post on social media.
I hope you’ll find this marketing timeline useful! Best of luck on your new book!
Major Crimes 
Released just last week, Major Crimes is the fourth installment in the Jersey Shore Mystery Series by Michele Lynn Seigfried.
Buckle up for hours of laughter, romance, and excitement with this Jersey Shore Mystery. When handsome detective, Bryce Kelly, is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he finds himself on the run and in hiding. Can amateur sleuth, Chelsey Alton, and a few quirky friends help him find the real killer and prove his innocence before it’s too late? If you love mysteries, don’t miss this humorous whodunit!
Giveaway
Click the link below to enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card from the author:
A Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Author
Michele Lynn Seigfried is the author of humorous, cozy mystery novels and a children’s picture book author/illustrator.
Michele was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 17 years in two different municipalities.
She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey.
In combining her love of writing with art, Michele began writing and illustrating children’s picture books in 2013. She has won several awards for her novels.
Author Links:
Website: www.michelelynnseigfried.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig
Email: MicheleSeigfried@gmail.com
Google+: www.google.com/+MicheleLynnSeigfried
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/micheleseigfried
Cassidy's Bookshelves 
Impressive time line!!!
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Thanks Christa!
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Thank you Cassidy for hosting me on your blog today!
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My pleasure
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Very helpful!!! (Though I think I’m behind…)
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