Why you should promote your article the year it's published

By Sean Scarisbrick and Cassandra Garcia

This post originally appeared on Sage Perspectives blog

Publishing is just the start. Promote your article the year it’s released to boost visibility, citations, media coverage, and career impact. From CV updates to conference invites, early promotion ensures your work stays relevant and reaches the right audience.

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You’ve published your article—congratulations! The first year of publication is your golden window to make noise, build momentum, and maximize impact. Here’s why timing is everything:

Time-Sensitive Wins You Don’t Want to Miss

• Add It to Your CV This Year

Your CV is a living document, and a new publication is a major milestone. Including it in this year’s version keeps your academic profile current and competitive—especially if you're applying for grants, fellowships, jobs, or promotions.

Be sure to add your paper to your researcher profiles, and if you haven't already, create a research profile to begin establishing your online presence early in your promotion journey.

• Year-End Wrap-Ups and Highlights

Many institutions, departments, and labs compile annual research highlights. Recently published articles could be eligible for inclusion in:

• Department newsletters

• University press releases

• Annual reports

• Social media roundups

Don’t miss the chance to be part of your institution’s narrative for the year. Get in touch with their press or publications office to discover opportunities to promote your work.

• Grant and Funding Applications

Most grant applications ask for recent publications. Disseminating your research now ensures it’s top-of-mind and easily accessible when reviewers assess your research output.

• Conference Season Relevance

Conference organizers often seek panel speakers who can present timely research. By promoting your recent work, you can build a reputation and stay relevant, thereby increasing your chances of being invited to join a panel. Additionally, if you are seeking funding to attend a conference, showcasing your recent scholarship can highlight your active engagement in the field and strengthen your case for support.

• Media and Public Engagement

Journalists and scholarly communicators are always looking for groundbreaking research. Promoting your article early increases the chance of media coverage while your findings are still novel. Submit pitches to publication outlets yourself or get in touch with journalists/communicators directly. Be sure to note any policy or practical implications of your research and any calls to action for researchers or the public when pitching or discussing your article. Building a story around your article will further its appeal.

Long-Term Benefits Start Now

• Early Citations

The sooner your peers read your work, the sooner they can cite it. Citations often snowball from initial visibility, and early ones count toward journal impact metrics. Encourage early citations by promoting your paper as soon as it’s published.

• Community Engagement

Sharing your article on platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, and ResearchGate invites discussion, feedback, and collaboration—especially while the topic is still hot. Get in touch with the journal’s editorial team to discover opportunities to collaborate on promotion.

• Search Engine Boost

Search engines and academic databases prioritize recent uploads. Promoting your article early helps it get indexed and ranked, increasing discoverability.

• Don’t Let Your Work Fade Quietly

Reader attention spans can be short. If you wait too long, your article risks being buried under newer publications. Promotion in the year of publication keeps your work visible, relevant, and part of the conversation.

Bottom line

Publication is just the beginning of your article’s journey. Promotion can turn your article into a citation, a collaboration, or a career opportunity. So don’t wait—share your work while it’s fresh and let the world know why it matters.

To discover promotion strategies, check out our resources on promoting your article & building your network.