If you’re preparing a book proposal and hoping that it will catch the attention of commissioning editors, you’ve probably noticed that most of them ask for one specific section that often feels intimidating: marketing ideas. For many writers, this raises immediate questions. Isn’t marketing the publisher’s job? Why do I need a marketing plan when I’m here to write a book?
The truth is, adding marketing ideas to your book proposal can significantly influence the commissioning decisions. In today’s publishing industry, commissioning isn’t just about whether a book is well written; it’s also about whether it can realistically reach its readers. Marketing ideas help editors see that pathway clearly.
Let’s break down why marketing matters and what commissioning editors are actually looking for.
Why Marketing Ideas Matter in Book Proposal Commissioning
When commissioning editors evaluate a proposal, they’re wearing several hats at once. They’re thinking about editorial quality, audience, positioning, sales potential, and long-term visibility. A strong marketing section reassures them that your book has a life beyond the manuscript. Including marketing ideas shows that you understand the publishing industry as a collaborative ecosystem. It also signals that you’ve thought about who your readers are, where they spend time, and how your book can be discovered, which shows you’re aware of how books find their audience.
For editors, this awareness can tip a proposal from “interesting” to “commissionable.”
What Editors Are Really Looking For
One common misconception is that a marketing plan needs to be exhaustive or technical. In reality, commissioning editors are looking for clarity, they want to see that you can answer questions like: Who is this book for? Why will they care? And how might they hear about it?
Good marketing ideas often build on what you already have. Your subject matter, your background, your networks, and your interests all play a role. For example, if you write about mental health, education, culture, or contemporary social issues, editors want to know which communities already engage with your work and how that connection can grow.
Marketing Ideas vs. A Full Marketing Plan
It’s important to distinguish between marketing ideas and a formal marketing plan. In a book proposal, you’re not expected to outline budgets, timelines, or advertising strategies. Instead, you can talk about positioning and possibilities.
Your marketing ideas might include potential media angles, speaking opportunities, online platforms, professional associations, or communities that would naturally be interested in your book. If you’ve done public talks, workshops, or written articles related to your topic, this is where they belong. Think of it as showing intent rather than execution. You’re demonstrating that you’re willing to participate in how to market your book, not that you’ll manage every little detail yourself.
How This Strengthens Book Pitching
When it comes to book pitching, marketing ideas add weight to your overall proposal. You’re no longer just saying, “This book should exist,” but also, “This is how it can reach readers.” That distinction makes your book proposal stand out from the rest. A clear marketing idea also helps editors to advocate for your book more confidently.
Your job isn’t to promise overnight success. It’s to show that you’re engaged and ready to be part of the process. In today’s publishing landscape, that awareness can make all the difference.
