Marketing a Book with NOTHING to Show Yet?!
(Pre-sale stragegy)
If you prefer video format - here’s a video about the topic on YouTube
My Debut Fantasy Novel is scheduled to be published on the 31st of October 2025. According to my publisher’s timeline - we will work on the book in separate chapters (pun intended). This means that for example: my cover will be done by July. The pre-orders will start at the beginning of August or end of July.
So this left me with one, really big problem: How does one market their book and build a momentum when there’s nothing I can really show for the book except for the signed contract!?
Well, it turns out that the answer is: A LOT.
So, let me show you what I have done so far to market my book, while I don’t have much to actually… SHOW.
Social media following:
I took an approach of “collecting people” first. This means that my current instagram is focused on BookStagram content. I am also considering reviving my YouTube for the same purpose. Yes… I have TikTok, but… meh.
Why would I promote other people’s books while I have my own?
Well… hear me out. The types of books I read (along with my general looks and animated personality) fit a really interesting niche. You guessed it - the niche is basically my “perfect reader”. Those people already read the stuff that I will want to sell them later.
This also allows me to tag other authors and set up a relationship with them (I may have reached out to one of my fav authors to ask if he’d like to read my ARC (Author’s review copy). He agreed!
While I will later start posting about pre-sale etc… I will already have a relationship and connection with them before I have stuff to show them. While yes, I do also post updates about my own book, and send them to…
The website:
Ok, I may be cheating in a way… I already had a pretty impressive social media following. Heck, I have over 3.000 people in my newsletters.
Hence I understood how important it will be to create a website that will collect more interested people into… my newsletter. It’s cool to talk about your book, but let’s face it - if someone doesn’t do anything (or has no action) - they will forget about it.
This is why my website has a “pre-order and release reminder” just at the beginning.
See, I want to give people an actionable thing to do. If they like the general vibe, things I talk about on my socials, maybe read through the content on my website… THEY HAVE AN ACTION that will keep them in the loop.
What goes to that website?
Well, I made a full video about it, there’s also an article (below) so I won’t bore you here.
Substack
I decided for substack as opposed to a simple blog. Mostly due to my sick aesthetics, but also for the possibility of a further reach. Funny enough - I copy those posts into my blog for SEO purposes, but the main “blog life” happens on substack.
I am writing about book publishing, writing, world-building, etc. I will also write more about my book. This is a similar approach to the one I have currently on social media. This is also more natural for me. I like spreading love to different things instead of making “BUY MY BOOK!” content only.
But I will ask you to check out my pre-orders. It’s dark fantasy with folktale monsters, magic, runes, and multiple POVs (you can read more on the website).
Substack is a good place for people, who want to own their audiences (and don’t trust algorithms, meta, etc… meta stuff seems to go downhill anyway).
It also allows me to have separate topics in the publication, so if you don’t want to get the book club stuff, but only my publishing journey - you can.
Let’s just say I love possibilities.
You may be shocked to see pinterest as one of the ways I am helping to market my book - Crown Of Shadows - before I even have a book cover. Because… how on earth is this helping?
Well, this idea came from “a need”. My sister is one of my alpha readers. While I am a person that hallucinates vividly while reading - she is not. She often asked me how things look and if I can show her examples. So I made pinterest boards. I also made boards for different characters.
This helps me in a couple of things:
I have visuals that are also linked to my website
I have content for some of the reels or short-form videos that I can prepare and later start pushing when pre-orders are LIVE
I can put them as a QR code inside of the book for “those that need inspiration”.
It allows me to present SOMETHING when people ask me for the general mood of the book.
I made a video about how Pinterest can benefit you as an author, and you can find it in the description as well as here in cards.
Goodreads
I have set up my Goodreads account (add me as a friend!) as one of the first things to secure my name as an author. If you have one already - GET ACTIVE. Goodreads is a great place to go through reviews, find ARC people that will review your book well, and also… to set up your existence. Some people may follow you or click you just because your review was great… then boom! You also write a book. If they follow you (or befriend you) - they will get your updates.
Also, Please click “want to read” on my book. It helps to spread the word!
Yes, great idea.
Tome app
This one is new. It’s a social media platform about BOOKS. I have set up my account not so long ago and currently test it. Since it’s new - it’s not perfect. But jump on that wagon when it’s fresh.
My approach? Just like everywhere else.
Conclusion?
Marketing your own work even before you have much to show for it is not only POSSIBLE it is NECESSARY to start your empire!
While it’s not the easiest of tasks - I am sure that you are absolutely capable. Even sharing your story is something that you can share with others and build a community of people that will get excited to see your work!
Don’t wait until the last moment. Start building NOW!
Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts! Cannot wait to discuss it with you!
If you prefer video format - here’s a video about the topic on YouTube
