Book Launch Basics

Kudos to you for finishing your book! It’s a huge effort that is to be commended for sure, but don’t celebrate too much. There’s still work to be done.

Here’s the thing about publishing: sales don’t just happen. You have to market your masterpiece and that starts with a launch.

START EARLY

The biggest mistake you can make when coordinating your book launch is waiting too long. The day you send your book to print is too late. The best book launches start weeks or even months before your book hits the shelves.

Think about it. There are dozens of moving parts to coordinate and leaving them until the last minute is a recipe for disaster. Instead, give you and your team plenty of time and you’ll enjoy a profitable, stress-free launch.

OUTSOURCE

Now is not the time to DIY it. You have enough on your plate, just trying to get the book ready for publication, so let someone else handle the details. If you already have a project manager, this is a great time to put her to work. If you have a VA who can step into the role and help coordinate the rest of the team, that’s workable as well. But either way, start putting your task list together and get them scheduled:

• Landing page creation: Consider giving away the first chapter of your book before publication to build a buzz (and your mailing list)

• Social media outreach: Teasers are perfect for getting the word out about your upcoming book. Don’t be afraid to “leak” your book cover, create social graphics with quotes, and share your enthusiasm with your tribe.

• Reviewer outreach: Getting reviews on the listing is critical to your book’s success, so now is the time to reach out to beta readers with a review copy, so they have time to read it before you go live.

• Interview scheduling: One of the best ways to get the word out about your upcoming book is to make the rounds of podcasts, blogs, and live events.

• Blog and email: Don’t neglect your own audience leading up to launch day. Be sure to let them know about your upcoming book by blogging about it and keeping them updated on progress through email.

HAVE FUN

This is by far the most important thing you can do during your book launch. Enthusiasm is contagious, and the more fun you’re having with it, the better the buzz you’ll build. Plan to step outside your comfort zone a bit, too, to really get others talking.

• Facebook events: If ever there were a good reason to schedule a Facebook event, a book launch is it. Consider setting up a live video feed the day your book launches so you can share your thoughts with your fans.

• Book trailers: Another video that’s well worth the effort is a book trailer. Just like a movie trailer, these short commercial style videos are great for getting the word out about your book.

• Host a book signing: If you live in or near a large city, or already have a large following, consider hosting a live event. A reading, some hors d’oeuvres, and a few signed books is all it takes, and your fans will love it.

Of course, you don’t have to go to the trouble of launching your book formally at all. But if you do, you’ll enjoy a much better start to your new publishing career. Not only that, but done right, book launches are great fun. That’s something you certainly deserve after all your work.