On the Podcast: The Empowered Author, When Should You Start Promoting Your Book?
Show Notes
When Is It Really “Go Time” for Book Promotion?
Authors often ask: When should I start promoting my book? Too soon, and you risk audience fatigue. Too late, and you miss the chance to build excitement.
In this episode, Jennifer Crosswhite walks through the key milestones that help you determine the right time to shift from writing mode into marketing mode—and how to create a plan that keeps your energy and excitement sustainable through your book’s entire life cycle.
Key Topics Covered:
- How early to start book promotion (and what to focus on at each stage)
- The difference between building awareness and selling your book
- What kind of content to post pre-launch vs. post-launch
- How to warm up your audience before asking for a sale
- Common author timing mistakes that drain energy or waste momentum
Author Takeaways:
- 💡 Start early with connection, not sales. Build relationships and share the why behind your story before you ever share a preorder link.
- 📅 Map your launch backward. Look at your release date and plan milestones—like cover reveal, ARC team, or email list growth—so you can ramp up smoothly.
- 🔁 Promotion isn’t a one-week event. It’s a cycle that should serve your readers long after launch day.
- ❤️ Consistency beats intensity. A steady rhythm of authentic engagement builds trust and results in long-term readers.
“The biggest mistake I see authors make,” Jennifer explains, “is waiting until their book is almost out before they start talking about it. By then, it’s too late to build real anticipation.”
Episode Highlights:
“Promotion is about building relationships, not just making announcements.”
“The earlier you can start creating curiosity, the easier your launch will be.”
“You don’t have to do all the things—you just have to do the right things at the right time.”
