Imagine the situation: you have finally completed your work. After months spent writing, reading, correcting, you finally see the end of the tunnel. You even planned your book launch down to the smallest detail so you could promote your book and boost sales. And suddenly you learn that all events and gatherings are canceled until further notice due, for example, to a global health crisis. Your launch will therefore not take place and all the efforts you have made have been in vain. In any case, that’s what you could say to yourself. But is it really the case? And if you plan to organize the launch of your book online? then you can visit to ghostwriting solution also. Our experts will tell you each and everything.
These last few weeks have clearly demonstrated that our new technological tools allow us to adapt to the most unprecedented situations, such as confinement, and to keep, despite everything, a semblance of routine and social ties. So of course, with all these events, you might think that the launch of your work until the situation returns to normal. However, you could also decide to stick to your schedule and hold your book launch regardless. If you fall into this category, we’re here to help arrange your online book launch.
And by now you must be wondering why anyone would bother watching a book launch online. Well, if you too, like millions of other people right now, had to be confined to your home, you were probably able to feel the effects (sometimes quite harmful) of this confinement. We are social beings, we need contact, even for the most introverted and homebody among us. It is in this difficult context that hundreds of people were able to organize live reading sessions on social networks.
Obviously, when the circumstances are more favorable, we recommend that you make your launch a physical event. However, the situation remains unstable, which invites us to call on original and creative measures! The silver lining here is that a digital book launch has some advantages that a traditional book launch doesn’t.
Click Here!! Want to Know More About Launching Book Online?
The advantages of an online launch:
- The original project around the launch of your book can resume unhindered and the efforts made in marketing are not wasted
- No more paying for venue or refreshments
- People who normally can’t travel due to distance or other constraints can attend your launch
- You can send a direct link to the sales platform for your book in the chat. With just one click, it’s done!
Step 1: Define a plan of attack for launching your book online
Despite its advantages, there are of course some disadvantages to organizing an online launch. For example, it is highly unlikely that the local press will attend (it is, in fact, always difficult to convince them), nor can you make the classic word of mouth work, over a drink and appetizers cakes. This means that your book and the methods you have chosen to present it are the only way to keep the public’s interest. So, it’s important to plan some stimulating activities to keep your readers from getting bored.
Of course, the key moments that make up the traditional book launch can easily be transposed to a digital model.
Among them:
- Includes a Q&A session. You should go as deep and detailed as possible so that you can explain your motivations, your research and your writing process. Ask a friend to prepare a big list of questions so you can be sure you have enough.
- Read an excerpt or chapter aloud. It’s a good idea to follow the Q&A session with a reading. This way, participants will have a better understanding of the context by listening to you and will probably be able to appreciate your writing better.
- Presents the cover. If you used a graphic designer to create the cover of your book, make sure that they are invited to your launch and do not hesitate to put them forward.
- Show participants a trailer of your book if you chose to create one. If so, it’s best to show it before reading your excerpt.
- Make it clear to participants where they can get your book. Luckily, with an online launch, all you have to do is send your guests a link that leads directly to your online store page.
- In general, the author gives the first copy of his work to someone important to him. It can be a spouse, a child, a cousin, a best friend, whatever! This is a person who supported or helped him in some way during the writing. If possible, try to have this person in the same room as you when hosting your pitch. This way, you can present the book to him in person at the end of the event. You can also wrap it or wrap it with a pretty decorative bow, to make the attention even more special. In this case, you will have to think about ordering a copy of the book in advance so as not to find yourself empty-handed on D-Day.
Step 2: Choose Where to Host the Event
Skype
Just like with a physical book launch, the first thing to worry about is where you’re going to hold your event. Fortunately, there are a bunch of serious options. We are going to present you 3 of these options which are also free!
These days, Skype is largely supplanted by WhatsApp. However, when it comes to a group call with many people, Skype remains superior. This is mainly due to the fact that Skype manages to support 50 participants, while WhatsApp only supports 4.
Arranging a video call on Skype is incredibly simple. Previously, you had to download Skype, add people to your contact list, create a group chat and start the call in that chat. Now all you have to do is go to the Skype site, create a meeting and send the link you receive to everyone you want to invite. There are no accounts to create, software to download, or payments to make. Good news for you and your guests!
Facebook Messenger
Just like Skype, Facebook Messenger supports calls with up to 50 people. If you are also friends with your guests on Facebook, rather than using Skype, it will be easier to add them all in the same chat on Messenger.
Another advantage of using Messenger to organize your book launch is that you can also use it to invite other people. By creating a chat group on Messenger, you can gather all your guests in one place, chat with them before your launch, and then contact them all simultaneously with just one click, rather than waiting for them to join your video call. . This allows you to exercise more control as a host. You can refer to step 3 to learn more about how to set up a group chat on Messenger.
If Messenger has a flaw, it’s that you have to add each potential guest manually to the group. It is therefore difficult to include people who use other social networks. With more and more people deleting their Facebook accounts, Messenger may exclude some of your guests.
YouTube
If the previous two options don’t work for you, there is another alternative. Broadcast your book presentation live on YouTube!
If you’ve never created content for YouTube, this can seem quite daunting. But don’t worry, it’s simple. All you need is a Google account. With this account, you can create a YouTube channel in seconds. To do this, go to YouTube and click on the small camera-shaped icon at the top right of your screen and select “Go live”:
Follow the steps to create and activate your account. Know that it will take 24 hours once your account is created before you can start your live broadcast. When you’re ready, you can follow these instructions to start your broadcast. You’ll then be able to change privacy settings, schedule a start date and time for your broadcast, and share a link so everyone can join you with just one click.
If there’s another live-streaming platform that you use regularly and are comfortable with (Twitch, for example), you should obviously consider using that for your launch.
Click Here!! Want to Know More About Launching Book Online?
Step 3: Send invitations
You have defined your program and you have found the platform that will allow you to organize your launch. Now is the time to send out the invitations! This is also an excellent opportunity to add a personal touch to a digital environment that is sometimes a bit cold. We’ve compiled some of the most common ways to invite people, along with some quick tips to make them as efficient as possible. Don’t be afraid of the idea of mixing and multiplying genres! A video invitation, for example, could very well benefit from being followed by a written invitation that contains all the necessary information.
Direct message
If you decided to use WhatsApp or Messenger to organize your launch, you must gather all your guests in a single group. This will allow you to invite them all at once and facilitate future communications. When you create this kind of group, you must maximize the dynamism and the participation within the group. There are several ways to do this:
Establish the topic of your group with something thematic (e.g., “Community of the Ring Launch Party”)
Put your book cover as a profile picture on your group
Provide regular updates on your preparations to keep your party members interested
Try asking group members to do small, simple things, such as thinking of a few questions you could answer or mentioning certain topics they want you to cover at the launch.
This type of invitation is surely the one that requires the least effort. That said, you could perhaps try to spice up this scheme a bit by including a video or by combining it with a few finely addressed postal letters beforehand.
If you need help understanding how to create and modify chat groups on Messenger or WhatsApp, you can find videos and explanations on their respective websites. Click on the following links to find out how you can create a group chat on WhatsApp and Messenger.
Of course, you can send an email that explains in detail the nature of the event, indicating the time it will take place and on which platform it will be held. However, emails can sometimes be quite boring and impersonal so, if you wish to choose this option, we strongly recommend that you brighten up your invitation and add your personal touch, whether in writing or formatting. . Combining an email invitation with a handwritten invitation, cool visuals (like your book cover, for example) or a video can be a good strategy to attract readers.
If you decided to organize your launch via Google Hangouts, you can also follow up your email with an invitation to a Google Hangouts conference. To do this, simply go through your Google Calendar from your Gmail box. This way, your guests will have all the information they need gathered in one place.
Postal Mail
In an era where almost all our means of communication have gone digital, people appreciate letters all the more! The extra effort provided when sending a traditional letter will make it clear to your guests that you want them to be there. If they join your launch feeling appreciated, chances are they’ll pay more attention and want a copy of your book.
If you are reluctant to have your guests buy your work, you can always do it for them. You could, for example, consider accompanying your invitation letter with a copy of your book for your most important guests. This kind of attention will surely be greatly appreciated. And, on the other hand, it will then be much more difficult for these people to refuse your invitation!
Creating a thematic and personalized invitation can therefore be a very rewarding approach. However, if you choose it, make sure that the digital nature of the event is clearly exposed. It is certainly wiser to follow your physical invitation with a digital invitation. This must contain a direct link to the application or platform you will use for your presentation.
Video
If you prefer something more dynamic, why not consider sending a video invite? You can record a short invitation message that you will then send to your recipients. Or you can try something more complex. But above all, remember that your message must be short, clear and direct. That’s partly because your video needs to grab attention. But it’s also because it has to be small enough to be sent in Private Message or by email.
You could also post your invitation in private video on YouTube, or on Google Drive, by sending the guests the link by email. This alternative may be particularly suitable for those who want to create a longer or more polished video.
Social Networks
Sending a private message to people who might be interested in your presentation is always a good starting point. However, there are surely a ton of people among your Facebook friends that you haven’t been in direct contact with for quite a while. These people might want to know more about your book.
After all, the more people at your big party, the better! That’s why we recommend that you post a general and public invitation on your social networks.
If you created a video or a visual, use them as the basis of your message. Add explanatory text to help people you don’t interact with often understand what’s going on. Then post it as a status on your networks. Don’t forget to broadcast your message on all the platforms you actively use (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.); there are no limits these days. You might be surprised by all the positive responses you might receive!
Click Here! Want to Know More about Launching Book Online
Step 4: Fix the technical details
We all have more or less one day experienced the famous “big technical bug” during an important video call. It even seems to be inevitable sometimes. There’s always someone who can’t get their webcam or mic to work. If this kind of situation happens during your launch, you may be destabilized and your presentation may be impacted. It is therefore always preferable to carry out a few tests beforehand in order to limit the risk of malfunction as much as possible.
Of course, you can’t do much about other people’s hardware, but at least make sure yours works perfectly. We suggest you “recruit” a friend to help you check the video and sound quality. Include him in a video call before your presentation. Make sure your voice is clear and audible, and that your camera is working properly. Also remember to check that you can easily navigate between different documents (a presentation or a video, for example) during the event.
Step 5: Animate the launch
Let the show begin! It may take a while for you to feel comfortable, but as long as your schedule is clear and you stick to it, you’ll be fine! To start off on the right foot, why not just raise a toast to welcome your guests? Imagine everything going as usual and add a bit of irony to your presentation. Your guests will certainly enjoy the show!
You should also remember to tell your guests that they can buy your book immediately, via the link you send them. Getting attendees to buy and read your book is crucial. These people will probably be your best ambassadors and the word-of-mouth phenomenon they will create could be very beneficial to you. This is what could become your main sales channel.
Step 6: End Appropriately
Towards the end of your launch, there are several key points that you need to make clear to your audience. We’ve organized them into a list that’s easy for you to check at any time. You can always add other goals and reminders, it all depends on the nature of your work and your personal preferences. However, the following points apply to all book layouts:
- Thank all the guests who attended your launch (and the others too). Above all, insist on this moment and take your time. Even if it is not a physical event, the fact remains that your guests took their time to come and listen to you and support you during these few hours. So, they deserve some recognition. Thank them for participating in your launch, for taking the time to do so and wish them the best for the future. If you have a drink during the presentation, toast to their health. The screen between you should not prevent you from showing that you appreciate their participation and their interest.
- Send the purchase link to your book one last time so that your guests can purchase a copy. Do not forget to do so on all the different communication channels you have used (social networks, email, post, etc.).
- Ask your guests to leave their opinion on your book on all the platforms where it is sold. In addition, you could encourage them to carry out some “missions of ambassadors”. This can range from simply spreading the purchase link on their own social networks to actively recommending them on forums and other social platforms.
- Ask your audience for their feedback, both on the launch and on the book. Use this feedback to grow, grow, and become a better writer.
And There you go!
By following these few steps, you should easily succeed in organizing an excellent online launch for your book. In addition, it is very likely that you will manage to brighten up (at least a little) the day of all the participants. Keep in mind that these steps are general; each presentation is unique. You know your guests and their tastes, so don’t deny yourself a little creativity and originality!
