I’ve always had an interest in book marketing, not unexpected given my business background, and I’ve collected quite a collection of links to blog articles on that subject. Today I present to you 40 Book Launch Resources, a compendium of blog articles focused on the activities directly related to launching a book. I say “activities” because while most of the articles focus on marketing, some cover non-marketing areas that should be addressed with regard to a book launch.
I’ve tried to include articles written with a focus only on book launches in particular. I’ve run across many articles which, while titled as being directly related to a book launch, really just provide general marketing advice. I have not included those articles in this resource list (with one or two exceptions) however good they may be.
The Resource List provides title (a link), and a very brief description of the content. I’ve found all of them interesting, and I hope you do too.
40 Book Launch Resources
The list is broken into several categories. I have tried to be as accurate as I can, but such grouping attempts are always somewhat arbitrary:
- Book Characteristics
- Pre-Launch
- Launch Plan
- Post Launch
- Examples
- Pre-readers
- Social Media
- Miscellaneous
Book Characteristics
These are articles focusing on the book itself — cover design, pricing, genre selection, formats, and similar descriptors.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| The Eight Elements of a Successful eBook Launch | BookBably Blog | Planning, pricing, genre selection, book description, reviews, cover design, and more |
| 10-Point Checklist to Get Your Book Ready for Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Checklist of book characteristics relevant to a launch: formats, languages, ISBN number, front and back cover test, cover, etc |
| How to Find the Most Popular Parts of Your Book | Book Launch | Finding and using the most popular parts of your book to support marketing |
Pre-launch
These are articles focused on activities that should have been carried out before an actual book launch; although focused on marketing some articles do touch on other topics.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| 5 Tips For an Effective eBook Pre-Launch Campaign | Just Publishing Advice | A short article on finding your audience, using Amazon and Goodreads, mailing lists, and more |
| The Ultimate Indie Author Book Pre-Launch Checklist | Fix My Story | A useful 11 item checklist of what to do before launch |
| 13 Key Questions to Ask About Your Audience Before a Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | All about reader demographics and engagement; excellent marketing checlist type of post |
| Is Your Author Platform Ready for a Book Launch? | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Provides a list of questions to determine if your author platform can/will support your book launch |
| Launching a Book? Why You Should Start Building an Email List Today | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Twelve reasons an email list is critical to a book launch |
| Launch Higher: How to Get Book Reviews Before Your Launch Date | Your Writer Platform | Oriented towards the new author; provides methods of gaining reviews priror to the launch: giveaways, advanced distribution sites. Promotional review outlets |
| How to Create Pre-Launch Buzz for Your Book Right Now | BadRedhead Media | Pre-launch marketing methods including quote sharing, relationship building, email lists, etc; all tied to a calendar |
| The two things I advise for any book launch | WGrowMedia | Discusses the importance of connecting with readers and your core and those who reach your ideal audience |
| How to Run a Book Launch Like a Pro | Self-Publishing School Blog | Provides an extensive pre-launch checklist, strategies, and resource links; discusses amazon and promotion sites |
Launch Plan
Articles that lay out, either step-by-step or in more general terms, a plan for launching a book; some articles touch upon both pre and post launch considerations.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| Getting Ready to Launch a Book? Start with These 5 Questions | Jane Friedman | Covers goals, motivation, audience, time and money budgets |
| 4 Steps to Establishing a Sensible Timeline for Your Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Four steps including picking a date based on maximum Impact, planning and post launch activities |
| How to Set Clear Goals and Objectives for Your Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Goal setting 101 for for book launches; discusses goals and objectives |
| 7 Questions to One Smart Book Launch Distribution Strategy | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Discusses distribution channels and promotional considerations |
| Top Tips on TIming for Indie Authors | Self-Publishing Advice Center | Discusses the impact of distribution channels and release formats on launch timing |
| 6 Quick-Fire Steps to a Killer Content Strategy for Your Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | How to create a content strategy (blog, newsetter social media, etc) which supports a book launch |
| 6 Steps for Creating a Social Media Campaign that Drives Your Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Setting goals, choosing networks, updating profiles, creating a calendar and more |
| 5 Quick-Fire Tips to Ramp up Your Book Launch via Social Media | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Covers hashtags, click-to-tweet embeds, live video, share buttons, user generated content |
| Secrets of Successful Book Launches with Howard VanEs | Social Media Just for Writers | Interview covering elements of a successful book launch using a 30 day model |
| Your Book Launch Timeline: Develop A Three-Phase Plan | BookBaby Blog | Timeline explanation of three parts: pre-launch, launch, and post launch activities |
| 5 Things I’m Not Doing to Launch My Book—Plus What I’m Doing Instead | Jane Friedman | Provides five strategies used by some launches and why the author chose NOT to use them |
| A Book Launch Plan for First-Time Authors Without an Online Presence | Jane Friedman | Title says it all; covers using people you know, encouraging sharing, marketing to strangers, and more |
| How to Launch a Book Series | Self-Publishing Advice Center | Discusses strategies for launching a book series with pros and cons |
Post Launch
Articles that lay out out strategies for post-launch activities in order to keep up the launch momentum. I only found one article specifically devoted to post-launch activities, but I thought it warranted being called out.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| What’s Your Post-Launch Book-Marketing Plan? (You Have One, Right?) | The Write Life | The importance of the post-launch plan for the book; includes the author’s personal experience |
Examples
These are articles that provide actual examples of book launches, including what worked.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| Launching Your Book – What’s Working? | Indies Unlimited | Covers what works for some authors — price discounts, blog tours, social media, endorsements, Facebook launch teams, and more |
| How to Launch a Self-Published Book | Startup Indie Author | Provides links to ten examples of successful book launches and the strategies used |
Pre-Readers
These articles focus on the use of pre-readers, network peers, and beta readers in order to support a successful book launch.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| Delay the Gratification of Launching Your Book | Fix My Story | The importance of pre-readers and of hanving a launch plan |
| How to Launch a Book the Smart Way! | Positive Writer | Argues that a network of peers to get the word out regarding your book is necessary; provides some guidance on creating one |
| How To Use Beta Readers To Launch Your Book | Kindlepreneur | Explains beta readers, where to find them, how to prepare them, collect their feedback and use it |
Social Media
Well, of course there are some article on using social media. These are devoted to the marketing uses, including what to do and what not to do.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| 9 Ways to Use Social Media to Launch a Book | Social Media Examiner | A bit dated, but still relevant |
| What Every Author Should Know About the Social Side of Book Launches | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Social media use in book launches and marketing; sort of a social media 101 |
| Twitter and Book Marketing | Book Launch | A short article on how to use and NOT use twitter for book marketing |
Miscellaneous
Stuff that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere else that I found interesting, including an article on why book launches may fail.
| Article Title/Link | Description |
| Street Teams – The Smart Author’s Tactic for Book Launches | Sacha Black | Covers the concept of “street teams” — group of people willing and able to help you launch and promote your books. |
| Creating the Right Author Content | Book Launch | General author/book marketing advice that should be done before a book launch |
| Author Marketing Mastery #42 – Twelve Steps to a Successful Book Launch Party! | Where Writers Win | Tips on organizing a “physical” party — date, goals, themes, venue, entertainment, etc |
| How to Use a Competitive & Market Analysis for a Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | More about competitive author analysis than book launches, per se, but still valuable |
| The Legalities of Running a Giveaway or Contest During Your Book Launch | Book Marketing Tools Blog | Covers sweepstakes, lotteries, contests, and their use in a book launch; touches on tax issues as well |
| 14 Ways to Crash Your Book Launch – Authors, DO NOT Try This at Home by Kimberley Grabas | The Book Designer | Extensive discussion of 14 different reasons why a book launch may fail |
So there you go! I hope you find the list useful. Have any book launch links you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading, and I will see you again next time.
