Adapting to what they call the ‘new normal’ is tough.
What used to be once a physical event and occasion are now held online.
As a rising writer who’s not quite sure if launching their book virtually is possible, it’s hard and daunting to figure out where your starting point is.
But the truth is, your first book launch need not be a big social event.
Technology alone has made the dissemination of information and events convenient and accessible virtually.
In fact, the pandemic has created more opportunities for people to read or spend their time online as most of us right now are required to stay home.
A book launch is an integral part of marketing your book to your existing audience and potential readers.
It’s one of the effective ways to stir their interest and learn more about you and your masterpiece.
1. Planning
Just because the event is conducted virtually, doesn’t mean planning is less likely needed.
With all the tech aspects and how numbers work online, you definitely need it.
Every goal of marketing your book needs a structured plan to go by.
Let’s start by looking at these practical points:
Your setting, backdrop, and tech aspects like sounds and microphone.
Schedule of the event, announcement, and handing out of invitations and giveaways.
Choosing the right platform for the virtual launching.
Timeline of events.
Inviting guest speakers/literary personalities to take part in your book launching.
Assigning key persons like an emcee, moderators, and a tech person to keep the program on the flow.
There are advantages to a virtual book launching aside from saving yourself from the actual expenses shelled out during a physical book launch (event room, catering, video and music equipment, etc.).
With a virtual book launching, your audience is not limited to a specific area alone but an entire globe that can watch and join you.
Thus, expanding your community and connection.
2. Timeline of events
Organize how your program will go or the timeline of activities you want to take place during the event —Welcome message, the introduction of the book, guest speaker’s short speech, interaction with the audience, online competition, and question and answer portion, etc.
List down any relevant or audience engagement activities that should not preferably go beyond an hour.
Announcement and invitations.
Before the announcement, make sure everything is all set.
Promote your book launch at least 4-6 weeks before the launch date.
Choose a launch date that’s convenient for you and your network.
Send out invitations through your email list, hand out flyers, or post them on your social media accounts and page.
You can also create a social media drip content that emphasizes what your audience can expect like giveaways, free eBooks, or any social engagement elements that will make them want to participate in your virtual event.
3. Gather your team
Learning how to create a successful virtual book launch may seem easier than the actual physical book event.
However, it’s not a one-man job, it requires skilled key persons, organization, and management for your event to sail smoothly.
With that, you may need an emcee, moderator, and a tech-guy.
An emcee might not be necessary but is recommendable, in the hopes of presenting your event with formality.
If you’re not sure how ads work, graphic designs, memes, or posters, then you can assign someone else to do it for you.
These are social media elements that help you gather a potential audience.
Moderators will also be of great help to ensure your event runs smoothly, while a tech-savvy person can take care of the technical aspect and fix any glitch that comes in the way.
4. Decide what platform to use
There are several platforms where you can host your book launch (E.g. Zoom, Facebook Live, Streamyard, Instagram Live, and YouTube Live).
A quick tip: Use the platform where you have the highest audience interaction.
If your statistics on Facebook holds the most number of users, then you can host your book launch on that platform.
Just make sure to leave links to the rest of your social media accounts where other readers can join.
5. Set up everything
What your audience see outside their device screens affects your viewers’ focus.
They could be distracted by your overdone decoration or backdrop, or their focus can be shifted to your bad lighting.
This is why setting up your décor, backdrop, design, lighting, space, and microphone matters.
Not only it gives them a good impression but also showcases decency to your followers.
Lighting should be clear with lower ambient light levels.
Not too dim and not too bright. Design and backdrop should align with our book theme or if you don’t have time for that, keep it simple and clean.
The space, where you conduct the live launching, should be comfortable and far from any physical noise or distractions.
See to it that the microphones are tested beforehand, including your guest speakers, to ensure voices are audible enough to be heard during the launching.
6. Practice your program flow
If you have time, practice the program flow to avoid bloopers, and worse is dead air.
You don’t want to get caught in the middle of the program without knowing what to do next.
Practice out how you will introduce your book, the excerpts you will share, and some backup plans if anything else fails.
If possible, you can include your guest speaker or orient them beforehand what’s likely to happen during the event.
7. Hit on it!
By the time you go live, focus on the value you offer to your audience through sharing reliable tips or interesting trivia about your book.
You can also give out giveaways like freebies or eBooks before you close to see to it that they stay until you share your final goodbyes.
Also, avoid sounding salesy when you talk about your book.
Rather, tell them about the benefits of why your book is worth the read or why out of the millions of books out there, yours can make a life-changing impact on them.
You’re privileged to have someone come by and stay throughout the event, make sure their time is not wasted.
Have fun and enjoy your book launch!
8. Share a link where they can buy your book
While you share your final thanks and goodbyes to your viewers, don’t forget to display the link where they can buy your book, or send the link via chat on the platform.
This is the best time to send free eBooks or freebies through email as a way of thanking them for their time.
Sending them to follow up emails is also a great time to attach your Amazon or website link where they can purchase your book.
Launching your book online need not be challenging, you just need the right people to guide you and solid planning that bears astonishing results.
Take advantage of how to create a successful virtual book launch and see how it will take your book to places.