Promote Your Book Like a Pro 🚀
🎙️ New episode: Eleanor Whitney wrote (& promoted!) the book on it
Hey Bleeders,
The latest episode of The Bleeders is packed with actionable advice for those of us trying to promote our books and build our platforms. I sat down with
—marketer, musician, and author of Promote Your Book, Riot Woman, and Quit Your Day Job—to unpack her philosophy on publishing and her top tips for book promotion. Trust me, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!Here’s a sneak peek into what we discussed:
Eleanor's publishing philosophy
Find your lane: Eleanor started with self-publishing and zines before moving to a small press. Whether you’re considering self-publishing, working with an indie press, or aiming for a big publisher, Eleanor stresses the importance of knowing your goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to publishing.
Community is key: Building a network around your work is essential for longevity. Eleanor advises writers to get to know and consider their audience, as well as the market norms of their genre when determining the appropriate publishing path for their work.
Do your homework: If you’re signing with a publisher, talk to other authors they’ve worked with and have a lawyer or the Authors Guild review your contract.
Publishing is hard, and publishing takes a long time… You need to love what you’re doing.
Top 5 tips to promote your book
Write the book you’re passionate about: Your enthusiasm will carry you through the hard parts.
Build community while you write: Support fellow authors, attend events, and map out the universe your book exists in.
Work backward from your pub date: Make a timeline and game plan for promotion activities. Give yourself 6–12 months to coordinate reviews, preorder campaigns, and events. Instead of a spray-and-pray pitching strategy, Eleanor recommends building genuine relationships and community.
Tailor your strategy: There are a million options, from splashy TV appearances to cozy virtual workshops. Focus on what makes sense for your book. This is where understanding your community comes in really handy.
Reflect and adapt: After launch, assess what’s working and look for ways to keep your book’s momentum alive. There are lots of ways to extend the life of your book far beyond the first month.
The cool thing about books is they don’t go away… Give yourself the grace of promoting it for a longer time.
💌 Until next time,
Courtney
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So… ROLL CALL! 🗣️
What’s your go-to book promotion tip? Let me know in the comments below—I might feature your advice in a future newsletter!
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