Launching a book can feel like a make-or-break moment — and the truth is, the most successful launches start long before launch day.

Building buzz isn’t about shouting the loudest — it’s about connecting with readers, giving them a reason to care, and making them part of the journey.

Here are seven creative (and doable) ways to build excitement before your book launches — without feeling salesy or stressed.

1️⃣ Share Your Writing Journey

Bring readers behind the scenes — post updates on your progress, share snippets, or reveal your writing rituals. People love feeling like insiders and cheering you on.

Quick Idea: Post a “day in the life” reel or a timelapse of you editing with your favourite beverage.

2️⃣ Do a Cover Reveal

Make your cover reveal an event! Tease little pieces of it on social media, then reveal the full design with a countdown.

Quick Idea: Post a blurred cover image and ask followers to guess the colours or title.

3️⃣ Offer Sneak Peeks

Share a favourite paragraph, a chapter title list, or a behind-the-scenes story about why you wrote the book.

Quick Idea: Turn a powerful quote from your book into a shareable graphic.

4️⃣ Build a Launch Team

Invite a small group of readers, friends, or followers to join your launch team. Give them early access in exchange for honest reviews and help spreading the word.

Quick Idea: Create a simple Google Form for sign-ups and send them a welcome email with next steps.

5️⃣ Collaborate with Others

Partner with other authors, bloggers, or podcasters in your niche. Guest posts, interviews, or joint giveaways can expand your reach.

Quick Idea: Pitch yourself to 3 podcasts your ideal reader listens to and offer a helpful, not salesy, topic.

6️⃣ Create Fun, Shareable Content

Short videos, graphics, or quizzes can get readers excited and sharing.

Quick Idea: Use Instagram polls or quizzes: “If you were writing a book, what would it be called?”

7️⃣ Serve Before You Sell

Give away helpful, free content related to your book’s topic. It builds trust and primes readers to buy later.

Quick Idea: Offer a free checklist, guide, or devotional that ties into your book.

You don’t need a huge budget or a big following to build buzz — just consistency and a little creativity. Each step you take builds momentum and gets your book into the hands of more readers.

💡 Want a full, step-by-step roadmap to go from idea to launch day without the overwhelm?