Guest post by Daniela McVicker
Orchestrating a book launch is not something that comes easy for any author. Even though you now have technology on your side that helps you get in touch with your readers, nothing compares with an event where you can have them in front of you. But, when you think of organizing such events and all the details which you should take into consideration, then things don’t seem so easy. A successful book launch creates urgency and excitement among your readers. Moreover, it will bring more followers and increase your email subscribing list. So you have no reason to be against a book launch apart from the emotions which are going to overwhelm you. If you don’t know where to start, then you should keep reading this article and find more about it.
1. Define your launch budget
The launch of your book is a celebration. But, in order to be able to organize everything as you wish, you should define a budget to pay for things and do your best to stick to it. Why do you need to pay money for? First, you should think of a location where you will invite your readers to celebrate your book together. Furthermore, you will need money for food and drink. The room decorations should be also included in your budget. Finally, you shouldn’t forget that your book launch is an excellent marketing opportunity. Thus, you should clearly discuss your marketing objects with your team and invest part of your budget in printing several materials or offering prizes to your most loyal readers.
2. Choose a venue which fits your launch idea
The venue where you will launch your book should create a story around your event. One of the most important criteria should be its location. If you want people to come to your book launch, then they should find it easy. Thus, it is preferable that the location is close to the center and can be reached using various transportation means. One of the most common places where you can opt to launch your book is a library or bookstore. Moreover, if you are looking for a cozier environment, you can think of a local café or small bar. This option can be convenient as the place is ideal if you want to offer food and drink to your guests.
3. Prepare yourself for sales
When people are invited to a book launch event, they assume that they will be able to benefit from some special discounts. Thus, there are several aspects which you should take into consideration for sale. First, you should have enough stock with you at the venue to satisfy the needs of your guests. Moreover, you should also think of a special price, available only during the launch event. Therefore, people will be more excited to buy and read your book. Another aspect which you shouldn’t forget is how people are going to pay you. You will need a POS in case people want to pay by card. Moreover, you will also need a cashier to issue receipts for each book sold. Considering all these essential elements for sale, you should also think of how your team is going to look like. As you are the author, you will most likely offer autographs and sign on the books. This means that you will need 3 or 4 persons with you to handle the stocks and finalize the sale.
4. Timing is very important
The date and time when you choose to launch your book are crucial for your book’s success. Life is full of events with special meanings. Therefore, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a date for your book launch. Whether you are thinking of your birthday or of a holiday, any date is acceptable as long as you manage to connect it with the action presented in your book. In addition, you should also connect your date with your target audience’s age and genre. Depending on their preferences, you will also discover the best date to invite them to your book launch. Moreover, the hour of the event is also crucial. For example, if your target audience consists of people who are between 30 and 40 years old, then you should take into consideration that they are working during the day. So, you should think of a starting hour between 7 and 8 PM.
5. Be ready for social media
If you want your launch event to be successful, you will need social media both before the event’s date and after. Social media is extremely helpful for this strategy, offering you the perfect environment to let your fans know about the event. If you thought Facebook or Twitter is not for book writers, the reality is slightly different. You should start by opening an account on several social media platforms and start talking about your book. Use some of the best writing companies to help you create engaging posts for your followers and create the texts for the launch event. Once the event is over, you should continue using social media to talk about your book. People will want to know what comes next after this book and they will also appreciate that they have a platform where they can share their opinion on what they read. Being active on social media helps you stay in contact with your audience and get their feedback faster and easier.
Conclusion
When you think of the book launch event, you should imagine that this is your moment. So, you should all emotions aside and be ready to enjoy yourself. If you are relaxed and forget about all the stress, you will be able to transmit your message to the audience. Careful planning and relying on an efficient team are some of the most important elements when you think of your book launch. By taking care of the essentials mentioned above, you will be able to have a joyful life and create a memorable event for your readers.
About the Author: Daniela McVicker is a freelance writer and blogger. She has a master degree in English Literature, and she is truly passionate about learning foreign languages and teaching.
Image by Christine Engelhardt from Pixabay
