Top Tips to an Unstoppable Book Release
I'm delighted to welcome author S. R. Johannes back to my blog today with a wonderful post, celebrating the release of her latest novel, Unstoppable, and offering generous advice to the rest of us on how to make our own book releases "unstoppable." Thank you so much Shelli, and I know I shall refer back to this post over and again when my next book comes out.
"Top tips to a great book release”
With millions of
books in circulation, it is harder than ever to stand out. So every author
needs to do everything they can to help.
To get a start, there are some
things you can do in advance of our book release date to start reaching out.
1.
Define your own
success. Every book is different. Find out what will work for your book and do
it.
2.
Create a budget.
Know what you can spend and prioritize your marketing dollars to the best
things.
3.
Plan for your actual
launch date as much as you can. Once you know a date – decide if you are going
to do a launch and where it will be (ie online, bookstore, charity event etc)
4.
Set up your web
site. Every author needs a professional
web site. It is easy to do and if you can’t do it yourself there are many
people who can do it for you at an affordable price.
5.
Get
on social media. Choose the top 3 things and be consistent about using them.
You don’t have to do them all but do the one you choose really, really well. Be
sure not to talk yourself and always support other people first.
6.
Start
building solid relationships. This takes time. Make real connections and always
approach people with “what you can do for them” in mind first – not what they
can do for you.
7.
Figure out your top
5 target audiences and map out how to reach them and where. You may have more
but pick the top and most direct ones first.
8.
Create your DETAILED
marketing plan – down to the day. This can go from one year down to the day. You
should have a plan for each target audience with dates, contacts and ho you
will reach them.
9.
Contact
bloggers/blog tour – bloggers need time to plan, read book, and help create
buzz. Don’t wait too late and always check their review/blog tour policies. You
may want to find a good one and pay them to handle this for you.
10. Plan special giveaways – Goodreads, on your web
site, blog etc.
11.
Plan and keep up
with the details of your launch day activities – come up with a tagline or
contests everyone will remember. Will you do it online or have a physical
launch?
12. Create a press release and reach out to media
channels – start with local, regional and then national. Make sure your press
release is targeted toward your media outlets.
13. Book library and school signings – you should book these
about 6 months in advance.
14. Find book fairs and conferences – you should book these
about 6 months to a year in advance.
15.
In the downtime
(yeah right) – start writing another book. The date will sneak up on your
before you realize a year has gone by and you haven’t written a thing.
16. Create swag and marketing materials to hand out.
What do you need for your target audiences – bookmarks for libraries, bookplates
to send to readers, themed giveaways (make sure you plan for these items in
your budget! It can add up).
17.
Launch and breathe :).
18. Create an ongoing plan that helps you keep the
momentum even after your launch date!
19. Don’t forget to send out your thank yous,
giveaways, and prizes to bloggers and contest entries! It can slip away from
you.
20. Celebrate!! Your book came out!
The key to getting ready for a
launch is starting in advance. Do a little every day to avoid the stress of
waiting until the last minute.
And for those who don’t like to
market, just think about how long it took you to write the book and focus on
getting that book into readers’ hands.
After all, that’s why you wrote it
to begin with!
Indeed it is. Thank you so much for this great list. And here's that Unstoppable book... next in the Nature of Grace series. It comes after Untraceable, Unspeakable and Uncontrollable,
(click on the links for my reviews)
After everything that has happened, Grace
goes to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdee. Even though
she is now home-schooled by her bird-obsessed grandmother, the move
gives Grace time to relax. She learns to scuba dive and starts boating
with old man Rex, Birdee’s casual friend/boyfriend.
One day while out in the marshes of the
Everglades, Grace rescues an abused Florida panther, currently on the
endangered list. The more she dives into the animal’s horrific
condition, the more she ventures into the underground world of the
roadside zoos that run rampant in Florida with a total disregard for the
law. Eventually, she stumbles upon one large roadside zoo filled with a
variety of endangered and illegal animals.
Before she can gather evidence and report
her findings to the authorities, she is kidnapped by the ruthless owner
and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge. Only this
time, Grace is the prey.
During a sick game of cat and mouse, Grace
is offered one chance at survival. With a one-hour head start and very
little supplies, time and skill are now all that stands between the
hunter and the hunted.
About the author:
S.R. Johannes is the award-winning author of the Amazon bestselling thriller series, the Nature of Grace (Untraceable and Uncontrollabl
S.R. Johannes is the YA advisor of ALLi and
a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult
category) as well as a Silver medalist (2nd place) in the IPPY awards
for YA Fiction. She was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the
Year (Young Adult category), a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best
Young Adult of 2012, and a YA Finalist in the US Book News Best Book of
2012.
After earning an MBA and working in
corporate America doing marketing for over 15 years (Spanx and Good hair
Products were my fav because of the perks :), S.R. Johannes traded in
her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family,
flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with
her dog, English-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their
little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the
world.
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