Writing a book is a monumental task in itself. When you’re about to publish your book, the first thought that comes to your mind is whether you should also host a book launch. But how are you going to go about things? You’re a writer, not an event planner. Well, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered in that aspect. If you’ve just written your masterpiece and wonder what kind of strategy you should use for your book launch, you’ve come to the right place.
We are here to help you plan a successful book launch to ensure your book gains the attention it deserves. A great launch event can ignite interest in your book, and we are going to be sharing the secrets on how to have one right here. So, without further ado, let’s dive headfirst into how you should go about planning a successful book launch. Starting with:
1. Create a Budget in Your Mind and Stick with It
The first step in planning a book launch is creating a budget for the event. If you’re an upcoming author, you probably don’t have piles of cash lying around. We’re here to tell you the amount of money you have doesn’t matter much. A successful book launch doesn’t have to be an expensive event that gets everyone talking.
All you need is a simple but effective event that hits all the right spots and attracts the right kind of people to your book launch. Once you’ve figured out how much you will spend on your book launch, you can get right down to the basics and plan out the entire event in your head. Keep in mind that you will need to factor in expenses for the following:
- Hiring the venue
- Food/drinks provided to the guests
- An assortment of books on hand for giving out
- Decorations
- Other promotional materials
When planning your book launch, be wary about how much budget you are setting apart for the little things. You don’t want to get carried away. Keep an eye on the figures, and remember that your guests will probably not expect a grand party for your book launch. Aim to keep things simple.
2. Decide Whether Your Book Launch is Invite-Only or Open to the Public
When you’re planning your book launch, the one thing that you need to keep in mind is coming up with the event’s theme. Do you want to make it a public event or a private one? At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference and what you want to achieve with the book launch. If all you want to do is enjoy a nice night with your friends and family, the best way to go about it would be an invite-only event.
However, if you want to raise expectations about your book, promote it to the masses and get the word out about it. Then, you should consider hosting a public event. If your book launch is open to the public, then plan the event promotions well in advance. You will have to put out a press release, start an event page, and talk about the book launch on social media as well.
3. Select a Suitable Venue for Your Book Launch
One of the most important aspects of hosting a successful book launch is getting the venue for the event spot on. You should try and opt for a place located centrally and easily accessible so that guests can attend without facing any problems. The type of venue you select depends on you, and some of the common options up for grabs here include the following:
• A library or bookstore
Most authors prefer to partner with a bookstore, as that makes hosting the event and sell books easier. A library is another option, and as guests are going to be surrounded by books, it makes the ideal setting for a book launch. However, you need to be mindful of certain limitations when hosting your book launch in a library or a bookstore, such as availability, the venue’s size, and the practicality of serving food and drinks there. The good news is that there are other alternatives available to you.
• A Bar or Local Café
You can go around asking your local bars and cafes if they would be interested in hosting your book launch. You can easily strike up a deal for food and drinks, along with the exclusive use of the space that you are going to be occupying. This option is ideal if you are hoping to go for a casual book launch or if you are not expecting a large crowd to show up for your book launch.
• A Hired Function Room
Several local venues will jump at the chance of providing you with a space for a private book launch. Private function rooms are a great idea if you are not expecting many guests to show up. You want to have a space that is entirely your own for the evening. You will have to be mindful of the room’s cost. Make sure the rental fee remains within budget.
4. Be Prepared to Make a Lot of Sales
If you’re planning on hosting your book launch in a bookstore, expect the store staff to help you out when it comes to making sales. However, by choosing this option, you will also be splitting your profit margin with the bookstore. The bookstore will buy copies at a reduced rate to reap some of their own profits at the end of the day.
Add on top of that, the fact that almost all bookstores have a sell-or-return policy means that if the books don’t sell, they will be returned to you at your own cost. If you plan on running your own sales at the book launch, here are a few things to keep in mind:
• Cash and Electronics Purchases
You should provide multiple payment options as it makes buying books at your book launch easier. You will need to keep some change on hand and a calculator to provide change for cash purchases quickly and easily. You shouldn’t forget about an electronic payment option as most people prefer to pay using cards these days.
5. Have a Book Launch Speech Prepared
There is no getting around the fact that you are going to have to make a speech at your book launch, and people will expect you to give one. If you’re not the best public speaker, you don’t need to get nervous as the speech doesn’t need to be lengthy. You should aim to keep it shorter and to the point, as most attendees will be people who know you already.
To ensure that you don’t mess up your speech, you should have one prepared beforehand so you can practice speaking before the launch. Try to read the room and have some notes ready to look at if you get lost in the middle of the speech. Most importantly, remember to breathe, and it is possible that your speech is going be over in about 4 to 5 minutes, so there is no use fretting over it.
6. Offer Prizes/Giveaways
One of the best ways to get people involved in your book launch is to give away some prizes on the night. Not only is it going to be appreciated, but it will ensure that almost everyone gets their hands on your book. The prizes don’t have to be expensive; they can be related to the book, like bookmarks or tote bags that people can take away with them.
Not all of your prizes have to be related to the book, as the goal here is to get everyone involved and to have fun at the book launch. Simple giveaways will do the trick nicely, adding a bit of fun in the proceedings.
7. Enjoy Yourself
The most important piece of advice that we can give you has been saved for last. It is going to be your book launch event. You need to enjoy yourself on the event day and have a great time. Don’t get too engrossed in the details of organizing everything on the day. You need to let loose and remember that it is your night, so you should relax and enjoy it.
