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What Goes into a Book Launch?

Lots of moving pieces... let's break it down.

YOUR BOOK LAUNCH – is an exciting time… but how can you pull off the best results possible?

Launching a book is more than just “uploading it and moving on to the next one” – and there are a lot of moving pieces to consider, and a few different strategies to bear in mind.

In this video, I’ll break down the major principles for launching – and what I’m gearing up for with the launch of my new sci-fi series (and boxed set).

Enjoy!

OFFER: Are you an author with an email list of sci-fi readers? If you’d like to get your book featured on my readers newsletter – and get some extra exposure – consider joining the Galaxia Launch Team. If you’re part of the team, you can submit your book for a spot. 

Find out all the details and join up right here (opens in a new window)

Oh, and tell me in the comments – what’s your favourite method for a launching? Have you ever tried a rapid release? Let me know…

WANT SOME FREE TRAINING?

I’m supporting a charity promo right now and offering some detailed training on how to run successful boxed-set launches.

Normally this training would be $97, but I’m giving it away for free for anyone who supports Well Aware (a clean-water charity) by purchasing a copy of our new sci-fi boxed set, Galaxia.

We’ve already cleared well over 4,500+ copies during pre-launch and I’d love to show you how we did it.

Just buy a copy for 99c, support a great charity, and I’ll send you the training during the last week of September.

Click below to get the boxed set and receive the free training:

^^ I’ll email you with a link on September 17th (when the book officially releases) where you can enter a password and sign up for the training. The password will be hidden in the book, which you’ll get delivered to your e-reader on that date. So grab it on pre-order while it’s only 99c and I’ll do the rest!

Not on the email list? Sign up here to make sure you’re notified when the training link is released (mid September)

And please leave a comment!

What’s your favourite method for a launching? Have you ever tried a rapid release? Let me know…

Comments

  1. Linda Hill says:

    Loved the content of the video! Lots of useful info here. The jiggling camera made me queasy after a while, though.
    Thanks for the advice, Nick!

  2. Jonas says:

    Wow, so inspirational. I am currently planning a series book in my women’s health niche as a nonfiction author. I have learned one or two new tips from the video. Most importantly, building an email list. I have tried doing it in the past but I had little success with it. I think I will have to start from scratch again. Thanks.

  3. Dean says:

    Great video, Nick! I love all your videos and your enthusiasm. And this topic is the best!

  4. Keith Robinson says:

    Yes, jiggling camera is hard to watch. Instead of holding the camera, why not get yourself a little drone and just hold the tiny remote controller instead? …And of course learn how to control the drone while it’s flying just ahead of you…

    More camera stuff: You never notice until you get home that all that lovely footage was focused better on the background than yourself. Slightly more distance might help — or a small light to brighten you up. Or just program the camera with a shorter focal length.

    As for the content… I wasn’t paying attention, sorry. Ha! Just kidding. All good stuff.

    1. Nick says:

      it definitely got to the point where it was shaky video or nothing LOL! The lower aperture wasn’t an option unfortunately, too bright out. And as for the drone… well maybe they’ll invent one I don’t fly into a tree but I’m not counting on it!

  5. Mike Donald says:

    All good stuff! It would seem clear to me now, on my third and fourth book that it’s the depth of books that will give me the ROI I need…so even tho’ I have about fifty more of your modules to view, I need to also be writing! Keep up the great work.

  6. Wendy says:

    Thing about scheduling a launch date is: How much time do you need? I’ve never set a launch date, because whatever time I think I need, I need more. To date, I haven’t gotten a book finished within 4 months of my planned publish date. And even when I think I’m done, I’ll find umpteen errors in the proof copy and spend another 1-3 weeks re-proofing it after it was “done and proofed.”

  7. Edie says:

    Thank you for the information. I’ve one published book but had no idea how to launch it. In spite of that it’s done well, primarily through word of mouth from friends. I am about to publish my second book which is entirely different but probably will appeal to the same audience. My first book was a parenting book so buyers were parents, grandparents and teachers. My second book is a children’s book for ages 3 to about 10. It’s all in rhyme and about my Golden Doodle Walker. Besides my words I have an amazing illustrator whose work will be what sells my book, I’m sure. So, besides parents and grandparents I also want to appeal to dog lovers. I don’t have a list of those folks so how do I go about a successful pre-launch, launch?

  8. Qasim says:

    Nice video, Nick. I’m working on two series (short fiction). I’d like to go the route of reader magnets first, if they still work?

    1. Nick says:

      If you want to grow your email list, there’s no better way 🙂

  9. Ken Watts says:

    Hi Nick,
    In your course videos you often follow up a comment about series by adding something like, “You can make money on standalones but it’s harder”. Do you have a video (or post) somewhere that tells those of us who have a standalone how to go about that? And especially how to go about the first one?

    1. Nick says:

      Same process, just a lower percentage of people will read through when books aren’t connected. Writing in a series is like putting the game of author-ing on “easy” mode (relatively speaking, anyway).

  10. Simon McCleave says:

    Hi Nick
    Thanks for the video.
    Is there a way to grow your email list if my first book in my series is the reader magnet? It will be permafree. I will have books 2 & 3 ready to go at the same time. Is it a question of patience? Use Book 1 & 2 to grow list. Start to see rewards with books 3,4 & 5.
    I’m loathed to knock out a quick short story as a pre Book 1 reader magnet.
    What do you think?
    Thanks Simon

    1. Nick says:

      that could definitely work – but it would tie you to the permafree + readermagnet model for books 1 & 2. Absolutely fine to get some momentum, but when you’re thinking about scaling up with ads you don’t really want to use the permafree model (paid ads to permafree almost never converts enough to make a positive ROI) so that kinda jumbles up the plan there. Usually I recommend using a reader magnet (the book you give people in return for the email address) that can stand alone, but still be part of the series, Eg a short story, prequel, or even a different series entirely (so long as it’s in the same genre). That way you can use permafree or full price book #1’s without it causing any issues. Alternatively, you could have book one at full price, offer book 2 for free if they join your list, then email them about books 3 and onwards. The downside of that is you might not sell as many book #2’s but it can still work.

      To get started I’d stick with your original plan (permafree book 1, offer book 2 via email) to get some traction, then long-term think about creating a new asset primarily for growing your list (short story, novella, something else). For a few weeks’ work it’ll defintely be worth it long-term and then won’t mess up the order of your series as you try out different marketing approaches.

  11. Lois M says:

    Great tips 🙂
    I’m veering towards a kind of rapid release of my free book, magnet book and paid book… they’re not in a series, though – all stand-alones… could that work? I do have an idea for a series but I want to get these polished up and out there before I start writing the series.
    Also, out of curiosity: what make/model is your fancy camera, and what do you use to edit your videos? Thank you! 🙂

    1. Nick says:

      standalones can definitely work! I’m not saying don’t write them – just be aware it’s more difficult to get people to move through them. It’s like going for a tasting menu at one restaurant, vs having every course at a different joint – still tasty food but a bit more effort 🙂

      The camera is a Panasonic Lumix GH5s with a 12-35mm Lumix zoom lens, edited and graded in Final Cut Pro X.

  12. Jaden Terrell says:

    Thank you for the information, Nick! I have a launch coming up in October and trying to make sure all the pieces are in place. I love your trainings and Your First 10k Readers.

    1. Nick says:

      thanks Jaden!

  13. Paul CW Beatty says:

    Interesting. But you are British, you seem to be in Britain, so how do you deal with GDPR? Where can I see your privacy statement? Will you be keeping my email.

    1. Nick says:

      privacy policy linked at the bottom: https://www.yourfirst10kreaders.com/privacy/ (sections 6 onwards concerns email addresses).

      you submitted your email when you left a comment, but this isn’t used for marketing purposes (only used to send you automated updates about your comment – eg replies). If you register for the newsletter or join the email list we will keep your email address to send you emails, but you can unsubscribe at any time and the data isn’t shared with anyone else. Thanks!

  14. KCurtis says:

    Great videos, Nick! As a newbie I find them very useful and informative. Also loved the Burghley footage:-)

  15. David Allen Edmonds says:

    Great video: loved the splashes of the cover.
    Question: how do I use my email list to get reviews and beta readers?

    1. Nick says:

      you’ll want to set up a segment of your list for reviewers / beta readers only and make people “apply” for it. Then keep tabs on who leaves reviews / gives feedback before deciding whether to invite them for the next one!

  16. Amy says:

    Hi Nick! Lovely seeing you in your outdoors. Camera shake got me a bit queasy but I still enjoyed it. One thing I don’t quite understand is whether to do a pre-order or not. Lots of people say it’s a waste on Amazon bc you don’t get any of the sales rank cred on launch, but I see you and other authors using it anyways. I’m only in KU right now because my catalogue is small and I’m focusing my efforts to save energy. Also, how did you link up with these other 12 authors for this box set? That’s an important piece of your plan.

    1. Nick says:

      I’m going to cover all the ins and outs of the boxed set stuff with the bonus training (just buy a copy of Galaxia if you haven’t already and follow the link in my book) – pre-orders CAN be useful. Mainly because we aren’t going for raw bestseller position, but total sales – and we know that we can reach more people over the course of 4-6 weeks (with 5 of those weeks at pre-order) vs just one week of it being “live”. It also helps us dial in the advertising and get all our ducks in a row. But certainly not a pre-requisite. Also for bestseller lists (eg USA today) those pre-orders are reported on the day it releases, even if Amazon doesn’t use that for ranking purposes.

  17. Ian says:

    I bought the pre-release of Galaxia and was wondering how long the training for the boxed set will be available?

    1. Nick says:

      the link will come down on the 22nd September – so as long as you’ve clicked through and entered your email address by then you’re good to go any time you like (so I can send you a login).

  18. Helena Halme says:

    Great video! I’m just about to launch my second book in a new Nordic contemporary fiction series, ‘An Island Christmas’, but it’s the same genre as my previous 5-book one, so I haven’t kept any back for a 3-book release. I have a steady email list of a few thousand so far, which is increasing with the help of promotions and free magnets. (Thanks to your training!) I’m not sure I would have the patience to write three books without wanting to publish them (‘An Island Christmas’ will by my tenth). Although I’d love to write another spy thriller, in which case, I may follow your example and make it into a series (and try to hold my horses). 😁

    1. Nick says:

      haha! Yes, it’s a bit of a pain holding back… but seeing as I’m starting from zero, I’m not losing all that much and everything to gain with the extra BANG of visibility when they go live. Wouldnt’ recommend it other than for the first instalments of a series 🙂

  19. Simone Leigh says:

    Fascinated to see how the ‘jump’ in genre works for you. I’ve been writing/publishing , traditionally, erotica and erotic romance. Now I’m working n ‘hot thrillers’. I’m trying hard to ‘have my cake and eat it’. i.e. To hang on to my old list and draw them into the new. Time will tell if I’ve pulled it off. Great videos. Thanks 🙂

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