What to sort out before your book launch

Launch week goes fastest when the slow work is done before it. Here’s what to sort out in the weeks before release day, so the week itself is about readers rather than fixing things in a hurry.

Your book page

Your book page is where every reader you reach will decide. Before launch, check:

• The cover works as a small thumbnail as well as full size, and looks at home next to the bestsellers in your genre.
• The description opens with a hook, not a summary, and reads well on a phone.
• Your categories and keywords in your publishing account describe where readers would actually look for your book.
• Your author page on Amazon is set up, with a photo and a short bio.

Your readers

The readers who already know you are your launch’s starting point.

• Tell your newsletter subscribers the date and what the book is.
• Line up early readers who are happy to leave an honest review once the book is out.
• Plan a few posts for the places your readers actually spend time.

Your ads

Ads work best when they point at a finished page and start with a plan.

• Decide which platforms you’ll use, such as Amazon, BookBub or Facebook, and why.
• Set a budget you’re comfortable with for launch week and the weeks after.
• Prepare your keywords and targets before release day, so campaigns can start on time.
• Plan what happens after launch week. A book’s sales don’t have to stop when the launch does.

Launch week itself

With the groundwork done, launch week is for watching what’s working and adjusting: which posts readers respond to, which ads bring clicks and whether your page turns visits into sales.

If launches overwhelm you

You don’t have to do all of this alone. We plan and run launches for authors, from the plan to the ads. Tell us about your book and we’ll suggest what your launch needs.