Today’s post is written by Rita Domingues, our marketing assistant, and Andrew Dare, our operations manager. In this post, they cover often-overlooked items that can make a big difference for authors. Grab your notebook so you don’t miss a thing!
Writing and publishing a book isn’t for the fainthearted. We know that. You know that. The whole world knows that. It’s not without reason that 97 percent of people who start writing a book don’t finish it, and only 20 percent who write a book actually publish it. I know, it blew our minds too! But just like any other big goal you may have for your life, with the right planning and support, it can and will be accomplished if you keep focused and working toward it.
If you are here reading this post, it’s because you have a bigger goal and impact you want to make on the world, and your book is just the starting point. So, on which side of the statistic do you want to belong?
Today, Andrew and I are going to walk through some of the things authors tend to forget in the midst of a busy book launch.
1. Coordinate your launch timeline.
Your book release day only happens once, and it goes by in a flash, so preparation is everything. The key is making sure that when the day arrives, you’re not scrambling or second-guessing what needs to happen, but instead executing a well-planned timeline with confidence. This means securing day-one reviews from your beta readers well in advance, so you have social proof ready to boost credibility and visibility right from the start. It also means rallying your community beforehand, reminding them to share about your book on their own channels to amplify your reach far beyond what you could do alone.
On top of that, you’ll want your social media content created, scheduled, and ready to roll so you’re not stuck trying to craft posts in the chaos of launch day. Every detail matters because the energy and momentum of a release are concentrated into a very short window. By mapping everything out using a project management platform or calendar, and knowing who’s responsible for certain tasks and what needs to go live and when, you free yourself from the stress of decision-making on the big day. Instead of reacting, you’ll be showing up with intention, creating impact and maximizing every moment of that once-in-a-lifetime launch.
2. Ensure cohesive messaging across your platforms.
Building a cohesive platform with a cohesive message is something that authors tend to forget before launching their books. How the aesthetic looks and the message feels across your platforms is super important, whether through your email list where you share snippets of your expertise and warming people up to what your book will be about; on your website talking about your values and your mission and what is unique about you and your message; or through your social media profile of choice, where you can post a little more on the behind the scenes of your process, showing the “you” behind the message you are transmitting and why you are here to serve your unique audience.
It’s important that people recognize you wherever you decide to show up. In a busy world full of information where attention span is shorter, it’s crucial that people can identify you as the expert in your field quickly. You will build a sense of trust and credibility through the tone of messaging you use and through your branding.
There are a few things you can keep in mind when checking for this cohesiveness. Is the tone of your messaging when talking to your audience in alignment with the tone of your book’s message? For your personal branding, are your profile pictures the same across your social media platforms? Are the colors and fonts you are using for your social media posts and website the same? Is it clear whom you want to serve and how people find you online?
You can find more information on how to get started with your author platform in this resource.
3. Test the purchase or download experience.
Doing a trial run of the purchasing or downloading of your book may not feel glamorous, but it’s one of the most important behind-the-scenes steps to having a successful launch. If all goes to plan, the buying process will be seamless, but you don’t want to risk that it’s not. A broken link, confusing checkout flow, or glitchy download can quickly derail a potential sale and leave readers frustrated. That’s why it’s crucial to walk through the buying or downloading process yourself, from clicking “buy” or completing the download to ensure everything works exactly as intended.
Even better, have someone else in your team, ideally someone unfamiliar with the process, do a “mock purchase” to catch issues you may have overlooked because you’re too close to the project. You wouldn’t edit your own book, right? This is the same concept. This extra step gives you confidence that when a reader is excited and ready to buy, nothing stands in their way. Think of it as not only safeguarding your sales but also maximizing your chance of getting more—a smooth, hassle-free buying experience that makes readers more likely to leave positive reviews, recommend your book, and come back for more in the future.
By eliminating friction in advance, you set the stage for a launch that feels professional, polished, and reader-friendly from the very first click.
4. Keep the momentum post-launch.
You did it! Your book is out; the world can see it, buy it, and read it. Your job here is done! Just kidding, because now the real work starts. Don’t get us wrong. You just accomplished a huge milestone, and you should celebrate. But before you relax, you must be sure your book is getting to the people you are here to serve. Remember, your book is just the beginning of the big impact you want to and are meant to have on the world.
Creating a marketing plan for post-launch is crucial for you to accomplish just that. Remember why and how you want to show up for your audience, and what efforts you want to put out to support that effectively. From that mindset, create a plan that is doable for you and still will support your bigger goals.
Plan and schedule out what emails you need to send, the social media posts you will want to share, and the events you will be attending to keep the launch buzz going. The first week of your book being out is super important. Having engaged readers will impact your sales, which will support the algorithm to recognize you, and boost visibility and long-term momentum.
Planning for this stage of your author journey will set you up for success. And keep in mind you don’t have to do this alone, whether it’s through a team to support you or independent contractors who can help you through this stage.
As we mentioned at the top of this post, we know that your book is the tool that will get you closer to achieving your bigger impact and purpose in the world. And just like the book-writing process can be done in a very meaningful and joyful way with the right planning and support, so should your book launch and the process of marketing your book.
You’ve got this. Don’t let the overwhelm get to you. Your author journey is just starting. And it’s going to be a beautiful one!
If this post helped you today and gave you some fresher insights, let us know in the comments below. Do you have any other tips that have supported you during your book launch? Share them away—your author peers will thank you!
Tchau for now,
Rita and Andrew
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