Episode 026 / Jami and Sara share how they launch a book, covering tactics for low-, medium-, and high-budget launches as well as sharing beau·coup tips about what’s working for book launches right now.
In the intro, Sara talks about she’s started a German translation through Reedsy. Jami’s new book Homecoming King launched with a big splash–breaking into the top 100 of the Amazon store, then going all the way to number 81!
You can find show notes and links at https://www.wishidknownforwriters.com.
In this podcast episode, you’ll discover:
Things to Consider Before You Launch:
- KU or wide – weigh pros and cons of each
- Price point – consider typical price of genre and goals to pick the best price point (99 cents can generate preorders and sales while a higher price point give you a higher royalty and the option of dropping it for sales later)
- Preorders – a preorder lets you capture sales and get your sales pages live on the vendors, but some authors won’t do preorders because they feel Amazon doesn’t weight the preorder sales as heavily as purchases/borrows made after the books releases, which may impact rank.
- Don’t forget the impact of your newsletter to launch
Low-cost Launch Tactics for a New Author
- Blog tours
- Newsletter swaps
- Goodreads giveaways
- Library Thing giveaways
- Newsletter
- Connect with authors in genre groups
- Lower price
- Paid newsletter promos
Small-to-medium Budget Launch Tactics:
- Newsletter giveaway like Booksweeps
- Paid newsletter promos
- Ads, like a small Amazon ads
Big budget Launch Tactics:
- Facebook ads
- Newsletter swaps
- Discount previous books in the series
Bonus Launch Tips:
- Focus on getting your book in front of the right readers
- Learn/use one ad platform at a time
- Pick about three things to focus on for your launch (don’t try to do all the things) so you’re not so scattered and so you can track results
- Backmatter matters — make sure it’s up-to-date and include link to next book/second epilogue/etc
- Goodreads giveaway sends an email on release day to everyone who entered your giveaway
Jami’s Launch Plan:
- Use tagline in graphic teasers/promo images
- Shared prologue/early chapters
- Release paperback a week ea, call Author Central to merge ebook and paperback, and then readers can post review–you’ll have reviews on the sales page when the book launches
- Add “follow” links (Bookbub, Goodreads, Amazon, etc) to promo and those sites will send a new release alert
- Preorder email on Bookbub
- Contact authors in genre and ask if they will share and if they want an Advance Review Copy
- Giveaways in author groups to create buzz
- Remind readers of release date so they can post a review if they’d like
- Segment newsletter list and email over several days, then mail to unopens
Sara’s Out-of-the-Box Launch Tactics for a First-in-Series Book:
- Set up a print preorder through Ingram Spark
- Send opening chapters to readers over weeks leading up to release to get them hooked on story
- Blog tours give you reviews and quotes you can use for graphics and editorial reviews
- Book box giveaway
- Advance Review Copies sent to reviewers
- Kobo Netgalley promotion
- Bookbub New Release Feature
- Staggered Audiobook release
- Long preorder on Book 2 so readers could order immediately when they finished Book 1
- Patreon
- Amazon ad – low-budget auto-targeted
Sara’s launch philosophy: pull out all the stops with Book 1; subsequent book launch — quieter launch, focuses on sale on Book 1 to pull readers into the series
Genres discussed include romance, romantic suspense, cozy mystery, and historical mystery.
Links:
Wish I’d Known Then Facebook Group
Book Box episode on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Marketing Podcast
How to Set up a Print Preorder on Ingram Spark
Ladies, this is the best thing I’ve heard/read/seen/ingested about launching. And I’ve read a lot. Even though my first launch won’t be till next year… Thank you so much for your awesome podcast and all the help you’re giving people. I love to laugh along with you!
Hi Christa,
So glad it was helpful! 🙂