Setting A Marketing Timeline

Well you’re on your writing journey and feel overwhelmed about everything there is to do. Writing draft one, editing, publishing your release, and everything in between, there is a lot to think about. That’s why setting a timeline is important to the marketing process.

I will be discussing page 4 of my newly released Book Marketing Planner in today’s post. You can check out the previous posts that discuss other pages in the planner. And if you haven’t already, you can purchase the paperback on Amazon or in the Bound to Writing Shop in paperback or digital download.

What is a Marketing Timeline?

A timeline is setting specific dates to accomplish particular goals in your writing and publishing journey.

Why Set a Timeline?

By setting a timeline, you have an end date. This may help keep you motivated if a deadline is a motivator. However, I like to use timelines to help prepare me for the next steps. This is even more true when it involves working with other people.

What Other People?

Your timeline will include the editing phases, book cover creation, and formatting. Unless you’re doing this all yourself which isn’t advised, you will need to involve others in your process. By setting a timeline, you can communicate with the other people involved when there services can be expected.

What is Part of the Timeline?

Editing

Draft completion
Send to Editor
Send to Beta Readers
Starting the Book Cover

Formatting

Complete Final Edits
Reveal the Cover
Reach out to ARC Readers

Pre-Release

Complete Final Edits on Physical File
Complete Final Edits on eBook File

Release Day

There are also blank spaces to include anything you wish to include in your timeline.

What is a Realistic Timeline?

Remember to always be realistic with your timeline. Everything takes more time than you think so keep that in mind when setting your timeframe. If you rush to get things done, you’re more likely to have more errors and could set yourself up to have many negative reviews. So it’s best to take your time.

Realistically, you will want to give yourself time to write your book. This could be anywhere from a few weeks to months to years. You know yourself best. Then for editing you can expect that to take a month or longer depending on the type of edit you’re getting.

You’ll also want to alot for extra time in case something gets backed up. For example, say you set your expected to be completed draft one on May 2nd. Plan a few extra days of wiggle room, say May 9th where you plan to send it to your editor. This can provide you with a cushion of time on the off chance something comes up and sets you back.

By creating a timeline, you’re able to communicate with yourself and others exactly where you want to be at a given time for your project. It’s at the beginning of the planner so you can easily reference it at any time. And remember give yourself some wiggle room because life happens.

Happy Marketing!