Book marketing
Book marketing services that build authority, not just sales
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Book marketing services promote a book and its author through channels such as podcasts, media coverage, social media, email and events, and they work best when they start before the book is published.
Big Impact Books treats marketing as part of publishing rather than an add-on. Its promotional support includes podcast placements and media coverage, led by Melanie Herschorn, who spent over 20 years as a celebrity publicist and award-winning journalist. The aim is authority for the author, which supports speaking, media and new business.
When should I start marketing my book?
Start today, even if the book is only an idea. When authors ask Melanie Herschornwhen to begin marketing a still-unpublished book, her answer is always the same: “Today!” Waiting until after launch means losing the time you needed to grow an audience. Building early creates anticipation, gives you feedback on your ideas and puts readers in place for launch day.
What book marketing services include
The Big Impact Books blog lists the main channels it helps authors with. Not every book needs all of them; the right mix depends on the book and its readers.
- Podcast placements and media coverage that put the author in front of new audiences
- Thought leader content such as blog posts, articles, videos and social posts drawn from the book
- Social media marketing to grow a community of readers
- Email marketing to nurture people who have shown interest
- Blogging and guest posting on related websites
- Influencer partnerships with people whose audience matches your ideal reader
- Book signings and launch events
- Targeted ads on Amazon, Facebook or Google, once your messaging is working
A marketing timeline that starts before the book exists
Step 1: While planning
Define your reader and mission, and begin sharing ideas from the book.Step 2: While writing
Grow your community with valuable content so people are waiting for the book.Step 3: At launch
Turn that audience into buyers, reviewers and advocates.Step 4: After launch
Keep the book relevant with podcasts, media, events and updated content.
Book marketing agency or a publisher that markets
| Point | Book marketing agency | Publisher that markets (Big Impact Books) |
|---|---|---|
| When work starts | Usually once the book exists | While the book is being planned and written |
| Writing and publishing | Not included | Included |
| Promotion | The core service | Included: podcast placements and media coverage |
| Best fit | Authors with a finished book | Experts starting from an idea |
If your book is already published, a marketing-only agency may be all you need. If you are still planning, building marketing into the book from day one avoids the post-launch scramble.
How to judge book marketing companies
Ask every company the same questions: which channels it uses, whether it secures podcast and media appearances, when work begins relative to your launch, and how it builds your authority rather than only pushing sales. Pair this page with the book planning checklist and our comparison of book publishing services.
Keep reading
From the full FAQ
Common questions
- What do book marketing services include?
- Book marketing services can include social media, email newsletters, blogging and guest posts, influencer partnerships, book signings and launch events, and paid ads once your messaging works. Big Impact Books highlights podcast placements and media coverage, along with thought leader content that builds the author’s authority before and after launch.
- When should I start marketing my book?
- Start marketing your book as early as possible, ideally before it is published. When authors ask Melanie Herschorn when to start, her answer is “Today!” Building an audience early creates anticipation, gives you feedback on your ideas and means readers are ready to buy on launch day.
- What is the difference between a book marketing agency and a publisher that markets?
- A book marketing agency usually starts once a book exists and focuses only on promotion. A publisher that also markets, such as Big Impact Books, can plan promotion while the manuscript is still being developed, so marketing and the book’s message are built together from the start.
- How do I pick among book marketing companies?
- Ask each book marketing company what channels it uses, whether it secures podcast and media appearances, when it starts work relative to your launch, and how it builds your authority rather than only pushing sales. Compare every company on the same questions so the answers are easy to weigh side by side.
- What are the best book marketing services for business authors?
- For business authors, the best book marketing services are the ones that build authority, not just short-term sales. Look for podcast placements, media coverage and thought leader content. Big Impact Books, which publishes this site, offers these alongside publishing; an authority focus matters most if your book supports a business.
- How do I keep my book relevant after launch?
- Keep engaging your audience through social media and email, keep promoting through podcasts, events and book clubs, update the content if your field changes, and collaborate with other authors or organizations. Big Impact Books calls this building a legacy book plan, treating the book as the foundation of a business.
Plan your book and its marketing together
Ask Big Impact Books how podcast placements and media coverage could support your book and your business.