Book Conception to Marketing - The Complete List
Every author asks: "What comes next?" Here's the answer. Every step from idea to ongoing sales.
You don't have to do every step perfectly. The more steps you do the more sales you will make. Some steps are more important than others, we can help with all of them.
Conception & Planning
- Idea generation
- Concept validation (is this a book or an article?)
- Audience identification
- Competitive research (what else exists in this space?)
- Decide traditional vs. indie publishing path
Writing
- Outline or structure development
- First draft
- Let it sit (cooling period)
- Second draft (structural revision)
- Third draft (line-level editing)
- Fourth+ drafts as needed
Feedback & Revision
- Beta readers
- Incorporate feedback
- Developmental editing (professional or trusted readers)
- Revise based on developmental feedback
- Copyediting (grammar, consistency, flow)
- Final author review
Production
- Proofreading (final error catch)
- Cover design (hire professional or buy premade)
- Interior formatting for print
- Interior formatting for ebook
- ISBN acquisition (if self-publishing)
- Copyright registration
- Print proof review
- Ebook file testing
Publication Setup
- Choose distribution channels (Amazon, IngramSpark, etc.)
- Create product listings
- Write book description/back cover copy
- Select categories and keywords
- Set pricing
- Upload files
- Final review before going live
Pre-Launch Marketing
- Build email list (if you don't have one)
- Create author website/landing page
- Gather advance reviews
- Line up launch team
- Create marketing materials (graphics, excerpts, etc.)
- Plan launch sequence
- Schedule social media content
- Reach out to book bloggers/reviewers
Launch
- Publish book
- Announce to email list
- Social media push
- Contact media/podcasts if applicable
- Monitor reviews and respond appropriately
Post-Launch Marketing
- Maintain consistent social media presence
- Email newsletter to list regularly
- Seek additional reviews
- Run promotions/sales periodically
- Paid advertising (if budget allows)
- Guest posting or podcast interviews
- Build relationships with readers
- Collect testimonials
- Update marketing based on what works
Long-Term
- Write next book
- Cross-promote between books
- Build series or catalog
- Maintain author platform
- Analyze sales data
- Adjust strategy accordingly
- Repeat
The Reality: Most authors screw up by skipping steps 33-40 (pre-launch marketing) and wondering why nobody buys their book on day one.
You don't need to do every step perfectly. You need to do enough of them well enough that readers find your book and decide to buy it.