The Book Marketing Readiness Quiz

Your Author Website

•  Do you have a website solely devoted to your author brand/book?
• Is your website branding consistent with your overall author brand (i.e. do you use consistent colors, fonts, etc.)?
• Is your new book listed prominently on your website with links to pre-order or purchase on every page?
• Do you have a professional-looking headshot?
• Do you have an area on your website designated for sharing media coverage?
• Do you have a newsletter, blog, or any other sign up option to start building/growing your email list?

 Social Media Presence

•  Are you consistently active (at least three new posts, etc. a week) on at least one social media platform?
• Are your social media platforms branded consistently with your website and other pages?
• Do you regularly engage with your followers (asking questions, promptly responding to comments, etc.)?
• Do you stay abreast of current social media trends?
• Does your author website and/or websites link to your preferred social media accounts and vice versa (social media platforms link back to your websites)?
• Have you researched which social media platform is best for your book?

Media Positioning

• -Do you keep up with current events and news?
• Are you prepared to comment on current events or news that may be related to your book, expertise, background, etc.?
• Have you identified your unique selling propositions (i.e. what sets you apart from the competition)?
• Have you done a competitive analysis of books similar to yours to identify how they are being marketed and what type of media coverage they have secured?
• Are you aware of related holidays, awareness days, seasons, etc. that could be beneficial as a hook for pitching the media?
• Do you have experience talking about your book and its message(s) in public and/or had media training?

 Your Network

• Do you have an existing network of professionals, fellow authors, and/or fans or supporters?
• Do you have a plan to cultivate and expand your network?
• Do you have a newsletter focusing on you as an author, your book(s), events, media coverage etc. that you regularly distribute?
• Have you developed an email list of fans and others interested in your book?
• Do you connect with and communicate to your network at least one time a month?
• Are you a member of any industry/professional development/ author organizations?

Collaboration

• Do you have the time and energy to invest in book marketing (i.e. you can be flexible when it comes to scheduling potential interviews, you can make time for a weekly check-in with your publicity team, etc.)?
• Do you have a short list of ideal media outlets you’d like to target, based on your specific book and background?
• Are you willing to write byline articles, op-eds and opinion pieces if the opportunity arises?
• Are you willing and able to travel for worthwhile media opportunities, if necessary?
• Are you committed to open communication and brainstorming with your publicity team and to consider all ideas presented to you?
• Are you prepared to regularly amplify media coverage received by sharing widely (reposting, retweeting, sending the link to your newsletter subscribers, etc.)?