So many people have asked about writing a book, so I thought it was time to share. This was when I self-published my Life Lessons of an Ironman Triathlete and my Rulon Rules: Strength Training & the Triathlete. 

Kudos to you for finishing your book! It’s a considerable effort to be commended but not celebrate too much. There’s still work to do.

Here’s the thing about publishing: sales don’t just happen. You have to market your masterpiece, and that starts with a launch.

Start Early

The biggest mistake you can make when coordinating your book launch is waiting too long. The day you send your book to print is too late. The best book launches start weeks or even months before your book hits the shelves.

Think about it. There are dozens of moving parts to coordinate, and leaving them until the last minute is a recipe for disaster. So instead, give you and your team plenty of time, and you’ll enjoy a profitable, stress-free launch.

Outsource

Now is not the time to DIY it. You have enough on your plate, just trying to get the book ready for publication, so let someone else handle the details. If you already have a project manager, this is a great time to put her to work. If you have a VA who can step into the role and help coordinate the rest of the team, that’s also workable. But either way, start putting your task list together and get them scheduled:

Landing page creation: Consider giving away the first chapter of your book before publication to build a buzz (and your mailing list)

Social media outreach: Teasers are perfect for getting the word out about your upcoming book. Don’t be afraid to “leak” your book cover, create social graphics with quotes, and share your enthusiasm with your tribe.

Reviewer outreach: Getting reviews on the listing is critical to your book’s success, so now is the time to reach out to beta readers with a review copy so they have time to read it before you go live.

Interview schedule: One of the best ways to get the word out about your upcoming book is to make the rounds of podcasts, blogs, and live events.

Blog and email: Don’t neglect your audience until launch day. Be sure to inform them about your upcoming book by blogging and updating them on progress through email.

Have Fun

This is the most important thing you can do during your book launch. Enthusiasm is contagious; the more fun you have with it, the better the buzz you’ll build. So plan to step outside your comfort zone a bit to get others talking.

Facebook events: If there were a good reason to schedule a Facebook event, a book launch is it. Consider setting up a live video feed the day your book launches so you can share your thoughts with your fans.

Book trailers: Another video that’s well worth the effort is a book trailer. These short commercial-style videos are great for getting the word out about your book, like a movie trailer.

Host a book signing: If you live in or near a large city or already have a large following, consider hosting a live event. A reading, some hors d’oeuvres, and a few signed books are all it takes, and your fans will love it.

Of course, you don’t have to face the trouble of launching your book formally. But if you do, you’ll enjoy a much better start to your new publishing career. Not only that but done right, book launches are great fun. That’s something you certainly deserve after all your work.

I can’t wait to see what you start knocking out!