Marketing Tip: Marketing Plan Must-Haves – Making the Most of Your Products

Creating a marketing plan is more than just a to-do list; it’s the backbone of your strategy as an author. In this post, we’re diving into how to take what you already have—your books and other creative assets—and turn them into even more opportunities for growth. Whether you’re a fast-releasing author or someone who publishes less often, these ideas can help you stay relevant and generate more value from your hard work.

Why Planning Matters for Authors

Life happens. Whether it’s unexpected sickness, emergencies, or even global events, things can throw off your schedule. Planning ahead keeps you moving forward. By having a flexible but organized plan, you can adapt to unforeseen hurdles while staying productive. Think of it as a backup generator for your author career—it kicks in when things go sideways.

Got a new book coming out? Great! But don’t stop with just the eBook. You can stretch that one book into multiple formats and products to give your readers more options and keep your name front and center.

Turning One Product Into Multiple Assets

Publishing isn’t just about getting one book out the door. It’s about maximizing the potential of that single product by repurposing it into different formats. Think of it like getting multiple meals out of one batch of ingredients. Here’s what you can do:

• EBooks, Paperbacks, and Hardcovers: A single book can exist in multiple formats. While paperbacks and hardcovers might not bring in as much as eBooks, they can still boost sales and attract different types of readers.
• Audiobooks: Audiobooks are growing in popularity, and they provide an entirely new way to reach your audience. Even if you’re not narrating yourself, hiring a narrator to bring your story to life adds another layer to your catalog.
• Graphic Novels: For genres with strong visual elements (like sci-fi or horror), turning your book into a graphic novel can be a big win. This might not work for every genre, though—romance readers, for instance, often prefer focusing on the text.

Free Ideas to Keep Readers Engaged

Not everything has to be about immediate sales. Building reader interest and loyalty is just as important. Here are a few free (or low-cost) ideas:

• Short Stories: Expand your world by offering a short story that ties into your main series. This can be a freebie for your newsletter subscribers or a downloadable link on your website.
• Printable Bookmarks: Readers love free printables. Create themed bookmarks to go along with your series and share them via email or social media.
• Quote Graphics: Use your cover art and memorable quotes to create eye-catching graphics. Share these on social platforms or in your newsletters.
• Newsletters Series: Write a newsletter series focused on a specific character or subplot. It’s a fun way to keep readers engaged between book releases.

Products to Keep Your Brand Front and Center

If you’re looking to add sales or variety to your brand, consider these sellable options:

• Merchandise: T-shirts, mugs, journals, or posters featuring your book’s cover or custom designs are popular.
• Character Cards: Create collectible cards with details about your characters. These can be sold, printed as giveaways, or added to merchandise packages.
• Tote Bags: Readers love tote bags to show off their love for your books. Customize them to match your series!

Events and Campaigns From Your Backlist

Your older books are just as valuable as your new ones—they’re like a goldmine that’s waiting to be tapped. Organize virtual events, such as online book clubs or themed reading months, focused on your backlist. It gives readers an excuse to revisit your older works and can introduce new fans to those stories.

The Power of Box Sets

Box sets are a great way to package your books for more sales. For example:

• Bundle complete series: Readers love grabbing the entire series at once.
• Create themed sets: If you have multiple series, put the first book of each into one bundle.

Box sets don’t just boost sales; they also make it easier for new readers to jump into your world. You can even extend this idea to audiobooks by packaging them into audio box sets, giving readers more listening hours.

Don’t Overlook Your Backlist

Your backlist is more than just old titles—it’s the foundation of your income. By turning older books into new products or using them in promotions, you’re making them work harder for you. When done right, your backlist can bring in steady income and keep readers coming back for more.

Stay Flexible and Focused

Creating assets—printables, audiobooks, merchandise, box sets—can give you breathing room between major releases. This kind of strategy allows your backlist to generate sales, so each new release doesn’t have to carry all the weight of your branding and marketing efforts.

The goal? Let your backlist make money while your new releases add excitement and draw in readers.

What’s Next in the Series?

In the next part of this marketing plan series, we’ll dive into one of my favorite topics: funneling. If you’re wondering what funnels are and how they can help your author career, stay tuned. Trust me, this is a game-changer you won’t want to miss.

If you’ve got questions or want to dig deeper into any of these ideas, let me know in the comments below or visit Finding Your Indie. Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications for more tips and strategies to make your author career soar.