How to Set Up a Pre-order Campaign for Your Book

Do you want your book to sell well before it is out? Do you want buzz and sales at the same time? Then you must plan your book marketing the right way. Pre-orders help you lock in sales. They help build talk around your book. They also help you rank on charts before the launch day.

Pre-orders let you make a name. They help you get seen by more people. They make sure your book has a strong start. But to get all this, you need a plan. You need a step-by-step way to do it. And that is what this guide will teach.

Key Takeaways

• Book marketing needs pre-orders to boost sales and rank.

• The right book promotion plan builds hype and trust.

• Smart steps bring more pre orders before launch.

Why Does Book Marketing Need a Strong Pre-order Plan?

Book marketing works best when you start early. Many writers wait too long. They wait till the launch day to push their book. But by then, they have lost time. They have lost sales. They have lost reach.

A pre-order gives you an edge. It helps you set a sales goal. It helps you push your book to more eyes. And it helps you make sure your book stands out when it is out. Many top writers use this plan. It works for them. And it will work for you, too.

Think of your book as a product. No brand waits for the day of launch to sell. They sell before it is out. They make people want it. You must do the same.

Did you know? Books with pre-orders often hit top charts faster than books with no pre-orders.

How to Set Up Pre-Orders on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble

Now that you know why pre-orders matter, here’s how to set them up on major platforms.

Amazon (KDP)

1. Log in to KDP.

2. Click “Create a New Kindle eBook” or “Paperback.”

3. Fill out book details.

4. On the “Pre-order” section, choose “Make my book available for pre-order.”

5. Set a launch date (up to 12 months in advance for Kindle).

6. Upload your manuscript and cover (you can upload a draft).

7. Submit your book. Amazon reviews and lists it within 72 hours.

Note: Paperback pre-orders are not supported natively. Use workarounds like eBooks2go if you need to print pre-orders.

Apple Books

1. Use Apple Books for Authors.

2. Create an iTunes Connect account.

3. Upload your book using iTunes Producer or a preferred aggregator.

4. Set a release date in the future and check the pre-order box. This ensures your eBook will be made available for pre-order.

5. Upload your cover and placeholder file if the book is not ready.

6. Your pre-order link becomes live once processed.

Barnes & Noble Press

1. Sign in at press.barnesandnoble.com.

2. Choose eBook or print.

3. Fill out metadata and upload your file or placeholder.

4. Set your future release date and select “Enable pre-order.”

5. Once approved, your listing will show a “pre-order” button.

Best Ways to Use Book Promotion for Pre-orders

A smart book promotion plan helps you sell more. It also helps you keep readers excited. But how do you do that?

First, pick the right date. Give your book at least 6 weeks before launch. More time means more reach. Less time means less sales.

Then, make a plan. Use emails, ads, and posts to talk about your book. Share a sneak peek. Share your book cover. Share what makes your book special.

Here is a smart book promotion plan you can use:

Step	What to Do	Time Before Launch
1	Share book title, cover, and theme	8 weeks
2	Offer a free chapter to readers	7 weeks
3	Set up ads and book blog posts	6 weeks
4	Start pre-orders with special perks	5 weeks
5	Run a giveaway and push last-call sales	2 weeks

With this, you can push your book and keep sales going till launch.

How to Get More Pre Orders Without Paid Ads

Not all writers have a big budget. That is why you must use ways that cost less but work well.

One strong way is email. Start a list early. Send book updates. Give special deals to your readers. Make them feel part of your book.

Next, use book groups. Many book lovers look for books in book clubs. Share your pre-order link there. Ask them to spread the word.

Also, reach out to blogs. Many book blogs love new books. Ask them to write about your book. Give them a sneak peek. This helps you get seen by more people.

Did you know? Books with email sign-ups see 40% more pre-orders than books with no list.

Pro Tips to Boost Pre-orders with BookBub and Goodreads

Use BookBub Pre-order Alerts: If you have followers on BookBub, you can send an automated alert when your book is available for pre-order. You must be on their platform and distribute through retailers they support.

Ask ARC and beta readers to post reviews on Goodreads and BookBub: Goodreads lets users add your book to shelves and leave early impressions. BookBub allows early reviews for pre-release books. This builds social proof.

Reach out for blurbs: Don’t limit blurbs to just other authors. Reach out to:

• Niche media outlets (e.g., City Book Review)

• Past clients or public figures

• Influencers in your genre boost your credibility and authority.

How to Use Social Media for Book Promotion

Social media is a gold mine for book sales. But you must use it the right way. You must make readers want your book.

First, share updates. But do not just post a link. Share a story. Share a fun fact about your book. Share why you wrote it. This makes people want to know more.

Then, go live. Readers love to hear from writers. A live Q&A helps you build trust. It makes your book feel real.

Also, team up with other writers. Cross-promote each other’s books. This helps you reach new people.

Try these:

• Post book quotes with a link to pre-order.

• Run a poll to ask readers what they love most in a book.

• Share your book journey and behind-the-scenes shots.

• Offer a signed book to one lucky reader.

• Use book hashtags to reach more eyes.

The Right Time to Start Pre-Orders

Timing matters. If you start too soon, readers may lose interest, and if you start too late, you may lose sales.

The best time is 6 to 8 weeks before launch. This gives you time to push book promotion. It also helps you build strong hype.

Week 1-2: Share your book title and theme.
Week 3-4: Open pre-orders and offer a free sneak peek.
Week 5-6: Run ads and do book giveaways.
Week 7-8: Push last-call pre-orders and tease launch plans.

A good plan keeps your book fresh in the reader’s mind.

How to Use Reviews to Boost Pre-Orders

A book with strong reviews gets more sales. People trust what others say, and if they hear good things about your book, they will want to buy it.

Ask beta readers to post early reviews. Give them a free copy. In return, they will write about it.

Also, ask for blurbs. A strong line from another writer adds trust. Share these lines in your book marketing posts.

Do not wait for the launch to get reviews. Get them early and push them into your book promotion plan.

Final Thoughts

A strong pre-order plan sets the stage for a big book launch. Book marketing is not just about ads. It is about trust. It is about reach. It is about timing.

Plan ahead. Use book promotion tricks that work. Keep pushing pre orders till launch day.

If you need help with your book marketing, reach out to eBooks2go. Get expert help and sell more!