Follow my blog at https://bookkahunachronicles.com and subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@DonSchmidt for no-nonsense insights from a publishing professional with four decades of industry experience.

Let me ask you something up front.

You spent months—maybe years—writing a book. You polished it. You edited it. You revised it repeatedly until your manuscript felt like your soul in paper form. But here is the kicker… the book has not even launched yet, and you are wondering:

“How can I make money before publication day?”

The answer? Pre-sale tactics. Real, working, boots-on-the-ground strategies that can put actual dollars in your pocket before a single printed book hits your doorstep.

I have worked in this industry for 40 years. I earned a Masters in Publishing Science from Pace University. I have seen what works. I have seen what fails. And now, with the voices of first-time authors ringing in my ears from a recent survey I conducted, I am here to tell you that yes—money can come in before your launch. You do not have to wait.

So let us break it down. This is not fluff. This is actionable. This is the truth behind pre-sale tactics that pay.

1. The Power of a Pre-Order Campaign

Let us start with the most obvious but often poorly executed strategy: the pre-order campaign.

Authors tend to think that putting a book on Amazon for pre-order is the whole strategy. No, it is only the tool. The strategy is what you do with it.

Your goal should be to build excitement. Drive urgency. And offer incentives.

That means tiered pre-order bonuses. That means saying to your audience:

  • Pre-order the ebook? Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes PDF.
  • Pre-order the paperback? Get a signed bookmark.
  • Pre-order the hardcover? Get a 30-minute Zoom session with the author—yours truly.

The psychology behind this is simple: people love feeling like insiders. They love a deal. And if you build enough value around your book before it even exists, they will hand over their credit cards.

What to Do Today:

  • Set up your book for pre-order on Amazon, IngramSpark, or a direct-sales platform like Payhip or WooCommerce.
  • Create a simple pre-order landing page.
  • Promote incentives with countdowns, social media posts, and email blasts.

2. Crowdfunding with Purpose

I know what you are thinking: “Crowdfunding? That is for people who do not have a publisher.”

Let me tell you something: Crowdfunding is not about begging for money. It is about community building and early sales.

Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to offer your book as a reward for backers. You can package bundles, digital exclusives, signed editions, live Zoom readings, merchandise—and people will back it if your story resonates.

I have seen authors pull in $5,000… $10,000… even $50,000 pre-launch. They did not have a massive audience. What they had was clarity, authenticity, and a solid pitch.

What to Do Today:

  • Create a crowdfunding page with a compelling story and reward tiers.
  • Include a video pitch that shows your passion and personality.
  • Use your blog, mailing list, and social platforms to drive traffic.

3. Sell Access, Not Just a Book

If your book teaches something—marketing, wellness, productivity, business—you are not just an author. You are an expert.

Why not launch a webinar or masterclass series based on the content of your book?

Let us say your book is about productivity hacks for solopreneurs. You could start offering paid Zoom sessions where you walk people through one tactic per week. The content already exists—it is in your manuscript. You are just repackaging it early.

This turns your book into an experience, not just a product. And it creates a sense of community around your launch.

What to Do Today:

  • Outline 3–5 core lessons from your book.
  • Set up a registration page for your workshop series.
  • Charge a small fee. Offer the book as a bonus for signing up.

4. Partner with Affiliates and Influencers

You might not have a big platform. But guess what? Other people do.

Affiliate marketing is one of the most overlooked pre-sale tactics for authors. Create a commission-based system where influencers, bloggers, or fellow authors earn a percentage of every pre-order they drive.

You handle fulfillment. They handle promotion.

It is a win-win.

Do not think you need big names. Start with five people in your niche with loyal followings. You would be surprised what can happen.

What to Do Today:

  • Set up affiliate tracking via BookFunnel, ThriveCart, or Gumroad.
  • Reach out personally to your network with an offer and clear instructions.
  • Provide swipe copy and graphics to make sharing easy.

5. Limited Edition Signed Copies

Scarcity sells. Always has. Always will.

Offer a limited number of signed and numbered copies for early supporters. This is where you can get creative: include handwritten notes, custom packaging, stickers, or a collectible cover variant.

This is not just about profit. It is about turning casual fans into raving superfans. The kind who will carry your book into every coffee shop and tell their friends about it.

What to Do Today:

  • Set a limit (for example: 100 signed hardcovers).
  • Announce to your audience with urgency.
  • Take payment via PayPal or a direct checkout page.

6. Bundle Your Book with a Service

This one is for my nonfiction authors especially.

Your book is likely part of a larger skillset or solution. Maybe you are a career coach. Maybe you are a health specialist. Maybe you are a social media wizard.

Here is the play: bundle your book with one of your services. Offer a special package where people can get the book and a 30-minute consultation at a bundled price. You get paid now. They get extra value.

This works incredibly well if your goal is to land coaching clients or build your consultancy on the back of your book.

What to Do Today:

  • Pick one service to bundle with your book.
  • Create a product package and promote it to your audience.
  • Limit it to 10–20 slots for urgency.

7. The Founders Circle Concept

This is something I have advised authors to do when they are launching with zero budget but a whole lot of heart.

Start a Founders Circle—a small community of early supporters who believe in your message. These are the people who get special access, insider updates, and maybe even their names listed in the back of the book.

You charge a small one-time fee or recurring monthly membership for this VIP access.

What you are really doing is building a tribe. A street team. And they will carry your message far beyond what you could do alone.

What to Do Today:

  • Set up a Founders Circle sign-up with a description of benefits.
  • Include exclusive content, shoutouts, and bonus materials.
  • Use Patreon or a simple email-based system to manage it.

8. Start Consulting or Speaking Based on the Book

You may not think of yourself as a speaker. You may not see yourself on a stage. But here is the deal:

If you wrote a book, you have authority.

And people will pay for your expertise before that book even drops.

Offer to speak at local business groups, libraries, podcasts, webinars, or virtual conferences. Charge a modest fee, and use these opportunities to mention your upcoming book. You are getting paid to promote your own product.

That is how the smart authors do it.

What to Do Today:

  • Identify 5–10 organizations or groups aligned with your topic.
  • Reach out with a short speaker pitch.
  • Mention your pre-order campaign during every appearance.

9. Create a Digital Companion Product

Digital products have no inventory cost and endless profit potential.

If your book includes tips, steps, or processes—build a companion worksheet, checklist, or notion template and sell it now.

You can price it low ($5–$15), drive people to your list, and upsell the book later. This gets revenue flowing and builds your audience.

And remember: people love bite-sized value.

What to Do Today:

  • Pull one chapter’s content and build a worksheet or PDF.
  • Host it on Gumroad, Payhip, or your own site.
  • Promote as a “starter toolkit” to build hype for your book.

10. Leverage Your Blog and YouTube Channel

Let me be clear: Content is not just content. It is marketing. It is pre-sale fuel.

If you blog (and you should), start breaking apart your book into digestible blog entries. Give a taste of the value. Drive people toward your pre-order or services.

Same goes for YouTube. Short videos explaining a concept from your book can pull in subscribers and warm leads.

And the CTA should be simple: “Pre-order the book now and get bonus access.”

That is it. Clean. Clear. Effective.

What to Do Today:

  • Plan a content calendar of 4–6 posts or videos tied to the book.
  • End each post with a strong call to action.
  • Invite readers to join your email list for updates and bonuses.

Final Thoughts: You Are Not Powerless

Here is the truth many authors do not want to admit: pre-sales are not about luck. They are about action. About confidence. About showing the world that your book has value before it launches.

You do not have to wait for a traditional publisher to validate you.

You do not have to cross your fingers on release day and hope.

You can build momentum now. You can make real money now.

You can be the kind of author who launches with a wave, not a whimper.

And if you need help? You know where to find me.

Call to Action:

If you found value in this post, do me one favor—follow my blog at https://bookkahunachronicles.com and subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@DonSchmidt. I have walked this publishing road for 40 years, and I am here to help you navigate yours.

Do not wait for launch day. Start making money now.

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