“Your book is really coming along,” my mentor Linda Watanabe McFerrin said. “How’s your launch calendar?”
My launch calendar? I don’t even know what I need to do in order to launch my book, let alone how long it will take or when to get started. How can I put together a launch calendar? “Um, I’m just starting it,” I managed. What should I include?”
Linda Watanabe McFerrin
“It’s simple,” Linda said. Linda always makes things sound simple. “Just write down everything you’re going to do, and the calendar will take shape.”
After a couple of days of panic, I decided it couldn’t be all that hard, especially if I broke the plan down into small, manageable parts. Here’s what I came up with:
Way Pre-Launch, as in Start Today:
- Write a marketing plan. My background is in marketing, so I know a few things about this:
- A marketing plan will help me determine what goes onto my launch calendar. It will get me organized and provide a benchmark against which to measure results.
- It isn’t rocket science.
- I’ll need to allow plenty of time. Most things take longer than I expect them to.
- This will require some thinking-through. Watch for a separate post.
- Create a launch calendar. OK; I didn’t get this item figured out, but at least I got it onto a list. For me, that’s a good start.
- Develop my platform. Platform—the word authors love to hate. This will also require some thinking through; watch for another separate post.
- Get started on anything that has a long lead time. (What does this even mean? I need to do some research.)
Three Months Out:
- Schedule readings and other author appearances.
- Get blurbs and reviews.
- Finalize manuscript and cover design (including blurbs);
get book printed. - Plan PR.
- Set up sales channels.
- Plan launch party.
- Create buzz. (How?)
Launch:
- Celebrate!
- What else?
- What. does. a. launch. consist. of?
Post-launch:
- If I’m going to appear on Oprah, now’s the time. If not…
-
Vintage change-making machine like the parking attendant guys used to wear at the county fair.
Read at bookstores, libraries, friends’ homes, trade events, salons, on the radio, anywhere I can, and as often as I can.
- Be sure I have several copies of my book with me at all times.
- Have enough cash with me at all times so I can sell my book and make change.
- Book tour?
(Do I have to?) - Sell books.
I think that’s pretty good list.
Update: It is a pretty good list. And here’s a revision: Book Launch Calendar, part 2.
