Planning My Book Launch

What should I do now?

I have been working lately on my book launch. I have been creating one list of individual that I want to email to invite to my book launch and creating another list of individuals to ask to guest blog for me. I also have a list of individuals or organization to request an appearance or interview, I want to individualize each of these invitations or requests. I want to let each one know why I have chosen them.
Although I want to personalize each email that I send to people that I want to get involved in my book publishing venture, I also want to begin the process by creating a template with the basic information that I want to be certain to send to each recipient. It is important to remember who, what, where, when, why. I need to be certain that there is consistency of this information on every email or letter that I send.

Writing Press Releases

I may not need Superman, but a guy like Clark Kent comes in handy when you want others to know about your book.

I need to start writing my Press releases and sending them to the media and posting on social media online. Press releases  need to be standardized, but, at the same time, they also should be personalized to the recipient. For instance, I live here in Missouri, but I grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania. I want to be certain that not only do I need to be prepared to send a press release to the local newspapers and radio stations here, but I will want to be prepared with a press release to send to Pennsylvania with specifics that relate to area and my connection with that area.
Creating a Phone Script
My favorite mode of communication is writing, not speaking on the phone. However, in many cases where I have sent emails, I may have to follow up with a phone call. Again, each call will need to be personalized, but a phone script can also help ensure that all of the information that I want to relay to the person I have called is relayed and I don’t forget anything.
By creating a template phone script for specific types of contacts will help me stay on track when I call each contact. By phoning related calls at the same time, I can also build momentum with each call that I make.
Making A List And Checking It Twice, make that Thrice
This month, I have been making a series of lists. From the first list, I have created subsequent lists. I have a list of marketing ideas. I have a list of sales ideas. I have lists related to each item on the marketing ideas lists.
I have specific markets that I want to hit. I also have specific places that I want to sell my books. In addition, I have a list of people that I want to know about and potentially attend my book launch. On that list of individuals there are also groups of people that I want to research further.
From these lists I build a database of places and individuals that I am able to talk to about my book. It certainly beats going door to door.

Starting A Writer’s Group

In addition to my book launch, in August I intend to start a local writer’s group. I have been talking about starting one for several months now, however, I have finally decided to take the plunge.
I recently set the date for the writers group.  August 31 will be that first meeting. I think that the first thing that we will do at the meeting is fill out a form (that I will create) in which write down what genres that we plan to write in, what each of us hopes to get out of the writers group, and what expertise each of us feels that we bring to the group, our writing strengths, and our weaknesses. In addition, we could include on that list who we know who might be willing to speak to the group as well as our wish list of individuals who would like to hear speak to our group about writing. (Remember, skype!) We will then introduce ourselves and we will discuss what we have written on our papers. Since it will be the organizational meeting, I have will have us elect officers (except President, this year, I will be president because I am the original organizer. Next year however, we will open that position as well). Also, I was thinking about perhaps naming the writers group something more creative than The Oregon County Writers Group.
I was thinking about possibly speaking myself at this first meeting about the online writing platform and how I would suggest someone could start or improve their online platform very quickly by including book reviews (related to their genre) into their blogs (every active blog should have at least a weekly post so they might consider writing one review per month.)

Donna Brown is an ordained minister. As Author Cygnet Brown, she  has recently published her first nonfiction book: Simply Vegetable Gardening: Simple Organic Gardening Tips for the Beginning Gardener

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues. Her upcoming book A Coward’s Solace will be available soon. Click here for more information about Cygnet Brown and her books.