Book Launch Countdown Timeline!
12 6 Months Pre-Publication AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Once your book is up for pre-order, link your blog feed, add photos and video, add an author bio, and include a special message for readers. BAND WITH DEBUT AUTHORS Connect with other same-year debuts to cross promote each other. BLOG Start blogging. It s a great way to provide info to your readers about your writing journey, news, and works in progress. BOOK BLURBS Make sure to ask for blurbs from respected authors in your genre. BOOK COVER REVEAL Rally book bloggers to host your book cover reveal. CREATE MARKETING PLAN Create a timeline, events, and to-do checklist. EMAIL SUBSCRIBER LIST Create and build one. This is a direct line to your readers in-box. IN-PERSON BOOK EVENTS Schedule them now. Often easiest places to book events are with your local venues. Play on the hometown author or local author position. SOCIAL MEDIA Pick 2-3 places to master online. WEBSITE Set up. Be sure to include: headshot, email list sign-up, contact page, author bio, book page, and any pre-order links.
6 4 Months Pre-Publication BOOK CLUBS Is your book ideal for book clubs? Create a guide of talking points and questions on issues, themes, characters, and plot from your book. Post it on your website. BOOK REVIEWS Reach out to book bloggers in your genre with a review request to read an advanced reader copy. Ask that they post an honest review on Goodreads when done and on Amazon the day your book releases. GOODREADS Create Goodreads author page. https://www.goodreads.com/author/program DISTRIBUTORS If you self-publish, check out distributors for your book. MEDIA CONTACTS Research and create a spreadsheet of local, national, and international media outlets like television, radio, podcasts, and print and online news. MEDIA MATERIALS Create a one-page informational sales flyer on your book with: book summary, book cover, author bio and photo, blurbs, publisher information, and release dates. Create a press kit with detailed information on your book and your full author bio. Include links to download hi-res images. Post all on your website. PROMOTIONAL Have author photos taken. PUBLICIST If you decide to hire one, now is the time to book a publicist.
4 3 Months Pre-Publication BLOG TOUR Book a tour through a blog tour company or contact book bloggers yourself to set up. BOOK TRAILER If you decide to do one, now is the time to create yourself or hire a company to create. GIVEAWAYS AND CONTESTS Create and price out. Can be preorder contests to generate interest in your book early-on. Design and order any promotional items such as bookmarks, business cards, postcards, or swag. MEDIA Work with your publisher on any coordinated publicity. PROMOTIONAL Write press releases (general one and local-author one). Prepare your elevator speech (be able to describe your book to someone within 30 seconds). Prepare for interviews; create a list of questions you might be asked about your book and write up answers. WEBSITE Make sure website is updated with book info, blurbs, pre-order links, and early reviews.
2 Months Pre-Publication BOOK TRAILER REVEAL Rally book bloggers to promote your book trailer reveal. EMAIL CAMPAIGN Write emails to go out to your subscribers via your newsletter or blog leading up to your book release. GOOGLE ALERTS Set up Google Alerts with your name and book name to track media attention. GUEST POSTS Start writing them now for your blog tour or any special guest appearances. MEDIA Start booking interviews from your media list of contacts for local television, radio, podcasts, and print and online news. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN Start posting about your upcoming release. Post reader-connect information such as excerpts, memes, themes, settings in the book, fun research, and photos and videos.
1 Month Pre-Publication BLOG POST Write a celebration release-day post and preschedule it. EVENTS Send out book launch invitations for in-person and online events. Check with your publisher on all planned events and publicity through them. GUEST POSTS Start submitting guest posts you ve written. KINDLE SELECT PROGRAM If you self-publish, decide whether to join this program. Do your research. PRESS RELEASE Schedule your press release distribution and send to your media contacts. SOCIAL MEDIA Schedule out any pre-written social media posts about your book release. Create hashtag for the name of your book and start using it. Encourage friends to use it with any promotions they do.
Day of Launch! ANNOUNCE! Announce your book release on social media, your blog, and make sure any press releases went out. Be sure to thank people for their shares and well-wishes. AVAILABILTY Make sure your book is live and available to order across book seller sites. Make sure to update any of your author pages here with new content and photos, etc. BLOG TOUR If blog tour in progress, be sure to engage, comment, and share host posts. EMAIL LIST Send out news to subscribers about release day with order links and a special message. IN-PERSON EVENTS Look your best! Make sure to bring all necessary items, clothes, and practice your talk. MONITOR Monitor any guest posts, articles, reviews, and appearances to engage and comment on. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS Monitor and promote those that share and thank them. Take screen shots of any book release milestones, such as making best sellers listm, and share.
1-3 MONTHS POST PUBLICATION AWARDS Monitor book award programs and apply to appropriate ones. BLOGGING Blog regularly on your own blog with news, events, and fun topics related to your book. Continue to do guest posts. BOOK ADD-ONS Research releasing your book in different versions such as e-book, print, or audio book. CONTEST Plan a contest to engage readers and potential new readers. EMAIL LIST Continue to share information and news with your subscriber list. EVENTS Continue to do conventions, book festivals, and joint author events. GOODREADS Do a Goodreads print giveaway. PAID ADVERTISING After your book release, look to online book sites to advertise. REVIEWS Continue to build reviews and share them to followers. THANK YOU s Send out any special thank you notes via email or handwritten to people who made a big contribution to your book release.