Have you ever wondered what makes one good book a huge success while another, equally good book falls by the wayside? The simple answer is usually poor marketing, beginning with what I call a failure to launch. The successful launch of a book can be the catalyst for success or the recipe for disaster.
Whether you’ve written the next great how-to guide or released your inner poet and turned out an inspiring new book of sonnets, if you don’t launch your book properly, it’s likely not to do as well as it could, or as well as you might hope.
The key to a successful launch is in the planning. While it does take a lot of pre-planning to make your launch a success, there is a silver lining. Once you get through the pre-launch work, it can be used throughout the campaign so you don’t have to go back and do it again.
Pre-planning involves a well-developed plan that is thorough and detailed. When done properly, it will result in less stress and ensure a higher success rate. The following tips will be well worth your initial effort and set you up for a successful book launch.
Pre-Marketing – Before the Book Hits the Shelves You Need to be Out There
Your marketing strategy should begin months in advance of your launch. So many make the mistake of waiting too long and the results will lead to not only loss of sales, but also loss of momentum in the book launch. That’s why when planning your launch have a countdown calendar and start outlining what needs done month by month. It truly works to keep things going in a positive direction.
A few things to consider in your marketing strategy:
Your marketing plan – Make sure to include these:
- Writing of your media kit, press releases, pitches, articles, web copy, newsletter, autoresponder series, and so forth.
- Social media updates – Establish a presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and any other social communities where you can generate curiosity and share your enthusiasm for your book. And don’t just set them up; decide on a plan of action to keep them active.
- Getting book reviews
- Setting up blog tours
- Contests and promotions
- Google Adword Campaign or Facebook Campaign
Also, remember to develop a consistent message. Nothing is more confusing than inconsistent messages and being all over the place. Pick a basic theme for your marketing campaign and stick with it. Your marketing materials should send your message loud and clear and be consistent so your audience becomes familiar with you and your book. Keep it informative enough to let them know what your book is about, and enticing enough to make your audience want to learn more.
Develop a Distribution Method – Who will you be distributing the above media to:
- Develop databases to pitch to keeping in mind your specific target market including Radio, TV, Newspapers, blog sites, etc.
- Decide where you will be keeping all these databases together. Consider online options such as Batchbook.
Feeling overwhelmed. Maximize your success by hiring a publicity virtual assistant before you start. Their expertise can be invaluable to getting your book the exposure you deserve.
Diana Ennen is the President of Virtual Word Publishing, https://virtualwordpublishing.com and co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-At-Home Mom: A Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business with Jill Hart and also VA the Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After Virtual Assistant (Kelly Poelker). Email her for her free PR Informational Package at Qvnan@iveghnyjbeqchoyvfuvat.pbz
