Before You Write, Plan to Sell
Craft a killer marketing plan that turns your book into a bestseller, not a dust collector.
Most authors don’t fail because they’re bad writers. They fail because they had no plan to sell the book.
They pour months into the manuscript, then start thinking about readers after they’ve hit publish. By then it’s too late. You’ve already lost the plot.
A decent book marketing plan should come first. Before the outline. Before the cover. Before the daydreams about interviews and book tours.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. But it needs to be sharp, specific, and written with your reader, not your ego, in mind.
Preview hoto by Morgan Housel on Unsplash
Here’s a taste of what’s inside a real book marketing plan:
1. Author mindset
Before you start typing, ask yourself what you believe about selling. If the words “marketing” or “audience” make your eye twitch, fix that first. Confidence in your message matters more than confidence in your prose.
2. Your goal
What’s this book for? Leads? Royalties? Influence? Clarity here keeps you from veering off course halfway through chapter six.
3. Monetisation strategy
You’re unlikely to retire on book royalties. If you’re hoping this opens doors to paid speaking, clients, media, or something else, decide that now. Otherwise, your book is an expensive way to stay anonymous.
4. Metrics for success
Amazon rank might only be part of the strategy. Pick real metrics: email signups, review count, sales by a certain date. Track them like a grown-up.
5. Reader profile
Who’s the book actually for? Be specific. “Busy professionals” and “women 25–55” aren’t audiences, they’re marketing white noise.
6. Their problems and desires
What do they want help with? What would make them say, “Where has this book been all my life?” Figure that out and write to it.
7. Existing solutions
You’re not writing into a vacuum. What’s already out there? Books, tools, ChatGPT answers, influencers with 300k followers. Know your competition or you’ll end up writing the same thing, slightly worse.
8. Your edge
What makes this book different? Don’t waffle. If you can’t say it in a sentence, your reader won’t remember it either.
9. Your platform
Where will you find your audience? You don’t need to be on every platform, but you do need to show up. Pick one or two and commit.
10. Key messages
What will catch their attention? What line will make them stop scrolling and click? Think in headlines, not chapter titles.
11. Launch strategy
Winging it is not a plan. Decide how you’ll build interest, gather preorders, and create momentum. Your future self will thank you.
12. Review strategy
Reviews don’t just appear. You’ll need a system to get them, early and often. The sooner people see proof, the more they’ll trust it’s worth their time.
Here’s the reality:
Writing the book is hard. Selling it doesn’t have to be, if you do this part properly.
Better to start with a plan than to end up with a book that never leaves your desktop.
You don’t need a massive team.
You don’t need 10,000 followers.
You just need a smart plan, and the courage to follow it.
Want your book marketing plan done for you?
Foundation subscribers to Author Growth get access to everything in the archive plus a custom 20+ page book marketing plan. Subscribe now or you can purchase the book marketing plan here.
Built around your goals, your audience, and your voice - so you can stop guessing and start writing with purpose.
You’ll get a simple form to fill out. I’ll do the heavy lifting. You get clarity and confidence.
I’ve done this for over 100 authors and helped them launch to success.
Let’s make sure your book ends up in readers’ hands, not just your hard drive.
To your publishing success,
Fleur
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Work with Fleur
If you’re ready to take your author journey further, I’d love to help. Whether you need clarity on your publishing path, hands-on book marketing support, or guidance to grow your author platform, you don’t have to do it alone. Explore my author services below and start building your platform with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
The Indie Author Hotline - Subscribe and I’ll answer your questions via DM or voice note within one working day, so you don’t have to wait for a weekly coaching call.
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