Ideally, one should plan and implement a marketing campaign many months before the actual release of their book. Set the foundation for success early on, and then be consistent with ongoing marketing long after your book has been published.

Here are seven tips to do while your book is being edited or in production and you have a little extra time on your hands as others are working on the book.

Tip #1: Check all your social media profiles and update them. Enter information in the profile indicating that your book will be published soon and add a date if you know one, and a brief overview of what the book is about.

Tip #2: Start searching all social media platforms of your target audience and join groups, like pages and subscribe. For example, you were writing a book about a dog, your target audience might be dog lovers. Take time to find out where dog lovers hang out, both physically and online. Maybe visit the actual places in your community where dog lovers go and build relationships with store owners and leaders of dog-related organizations.

On the Internet, start interacting with members of dog-related groups and just enjoy the conversation. In forums and groups, it’s best to spend several months in friendly interaction before suggesting a call to action, like buying your book. If members enjoy your comments in groups, they’ll be much more likely to buy a book from you at a later date.

Tip #3: Build your lists. Speed ​​up your efforts to add followers to your lists. Those lists can be friends and fans on Facebook, your email distribution list, and blog subscribers. Wherever you have lists, build them into larger numbers. Allocate a certain amount of time each day to list building activities to increase your connections.

Tip #4: Start asking about joint ventures with other people who have large lists. Leverage lists of synergistic people in your niche by suggesting a mutually beneficial cross-promotional partnership. Maybe they’ll promote your book launch to their lists if you include them on your blog, or if they have the opportunity to give your list a bonus when someone buys your book.

Tip #5: Write press releases and email and social media announcements to be prepared for the big launch day when it arrives. You can edit these drafts as the day draws near, but you’ll have these important promotional pieces in a ready state.

Tip #6: Create interview questions you’d love to answer on radio shows or blog interviews. Those who might interview you will appreciate that you make their jobs easier, and you get a chance to practice your answers so they sound smooth and natural.

Tip #7: Put information about your book release in the signature line of your emails, such as “Author of soon-to-be-released book titled (your book’s title).”

Remember that marketing should be part of your routine every week before and after your book comes out. Maintain a steady stream of exposure to your target market for the success of your book. Whether you traditionally publish or self-publish, you’ll be in charge of marketing your book, so start early and be persistent!