A book launch party can generate interest and publicity for a book. Invite friends, neighbors, business associates, politicians and reporters.
It can be at your home, a restaurant, a hotel, a club, a bookstore or a library. Serve refreshments, make a brief speech and read part of the book. Answer questions. To start the dialog, arrange for a couple of friends to ask questions.
Some authors sell books at launches. I think it’s tacky to make friends feel obligated to spend money. A few years ago, a neighbor gave a book launch party. My wife felt obligated to support her and spent $25 to buy a book that neither of us would ever read. It went to Goodwill.
- Give books away if you can afford to. They’ll probably cost you only a few bucks each and will help create buzz.
- If you can't afford to give away a lot of books, have a raffle for about three books (either with free tickets or tickets sold to benefit a charity).
- You may get extra publicity (and sales) if you tie your launch to a holiday or the start of season, or have it honor someone or raise money for a charity.
- You can produce inexpensive abridged samples of your book to give away.
- Maybe provide coupons for free downloads of an ebook.
- You can even give away imperfect proofs that are readable, but not saleable.
- Be sure to give out bookmarks or business cards, too. I get my cards from VistaPrint. (Always have some cards with you. You never know when you'll encounter a potential customer.)
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