In the past couple weeks, we’ve talked about practical steps you can take to begin marketing you and your book even before you’re published.

Read the first six steps here.  2/12 post

Read the next seven steps here. 2/19 post

Here are seven more!

14) Start building a newsletter list.

Even if you don’t feel you’re ready to start a newsletter yet, it’s never too early to begin building a contact list. But note: You should NEVER add someone to an email list if they haven’t opted in. Simply let people know you’re planning to begin a newsletter in the future and give them the option to subscribe.

15) Enter contests.

One of the best reasons to enter a contest is feedback, but let’s say you do well in a contest. You final. You capture the interest of a judge, who just happens to be an agent or editor. Historical fiction author Anne Mateer is a great example of this. She finaled in the ACFW Genesis Contest a few years ago and her entry caught the eye of a Bethany House editor. Now she has two books on the shelves and a third coming out this fall.

16) Think inside-out.

Are there themes or interests in your book that present great marketing opportunities? For instance, my novel Made to Last features a homebuilding TV show host. You can be sure even before the book was contracted, I was thinking about making funny Home Depot-type videos and hanging out on home improvement blogs. (I may or may not have also bought a chainsaw!)

17) Build your cheerleader list.

These are the people who are going to help you launch your book—influencers, endorsers, reviewers, word-of-mouth cheerleaders. And while you’re at it, be sure to cheerlead others just as much as you hope they will cheerlead you when you’ve been contracted. Celebrate when they’ve got good news, read and review their books, etc.

18) Consider a fundraiser.

I love it when authors link their book releases to a great cause. But what if you started early? Find a sweet cause—related to your book—and ask readers to sponsor a chapter or scene. Maybe ask for $10 per 100 words. What a fun way to engage readers in both your writing journey and a wonderful cause!

19) Offer something people are looking for.

What’s your area of expertise? What makes you unique? What do you have to offer? Be generous before you’re published and people will come back for more. Become a resource for others.

One note on this: You don’t have to necessarily offer pragmatic, how-to lessons—though if you’ve got expertise in something like that, awesome. But if you’ve got photography skills that inspire others, share your photos. If you have a knack for drawing laughs, let people come to you for comic relief. If you have the gift of encouragement, find ways to spread it.

20) Develop patience.

I’ve heard multiple variations of the same quote many times: “It takes ten, fifteen, twenty years to become an overnight success.” Frankly, I’m holding out hope it won’t be quite that long for all of us.

But implementing a stellar marketing strategy and building a platform, pre or post-published, takes gobs of patience. Choosing patience over panic is the better option every time. 🙂

Do you have any questions about these tips or the past weeks’ tips? Any of your own you’d like to add? If so, just leave a comment!

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Melissa Tagg is a former reporter turned romantic comedy author. Her debut novel, Made to Last, releases from Bethany House in September 2013. In addition to her nonprofit day job, she’s also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy. Connect with Melissa at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@Melissa_Tagg).