Despite the comforts of digital marketing and online publication, events like book fair, book signing, and book launching still play a crucial role in overall book content distribution and the overall book marketing campaign. ReadersMagnet Review takes a closer look at the importance and details of a book launching event especially launching self-published books.

In order for a book launching to be successful, the author must go through a lot of detailed preparations. Events need careful planning and they could mean success or failure for the author. Even established authors know that. So in order to avoid the latter, make sure to execute the following:

  • Pick a strategic event venue. Acquiring a perfect venue for any event should be the first on the list. Book launching are typically held in books stores, galleries, malls, and book fair venues. However, you can also choose to do you launch in restaurants, bars, cafes, parks, and even in schools and colleges. The most important thing to consider is the accessibility of the venue. Another is the history of the venue in terms of hosting events, particularly events similar to yours.
  • Timing can mean everything. The purpose of your event is to gather as many people as you can. It is only appropriate that you choose a date and time that is convenient for people. Do not hold night events on weekends. There’s too much competition. If you want to launch your book on a weekend, do it in the afternoon. As for an evening launch, do it on a midweek like Wednesday or Thursday and your program should begin after 7pm.
  • Offer something to the crowd. Nobody wants to attend an event with only a handful of other guests in attendance. Make sure to attract the crowd by providing them with something they can interest on while waiting for the program to start. It can be a performance or something they can eat for free. People love freebies and offering them something to eat is a great idea.
  • Ensure build-up for the event. As mentioned above, every event requires detailed planning. Make sure to plan your book launching 3-4 weeks before the launch date. If this is your first time, research on past book launching events held by other authors. If you have done book launching events before, refer to your old notes and make minor adjustments if necessary. Make sure to cover everything in your list of target audience send emails and newsletter to friends, local book clubs, and other literary groups.
  • Focus your invites on the 5W’s. Whether it’s emails, posters, brochures or flyers, make your invites brief and informative. Focus on the 5W’s – Who, What, Where, When, and Why. It is also interesting to note that the most effective invites are those with attractive visuals. You may include a photo of your book or a map leading to the venue.
  • Prepare your event checklist. One essential factor to make your book launching event a success is to have an event checklist. This contains all the things you need to do and have during the actual date of your event. It also has a list of people who are responsible for each item on the list. An event checklist usually includes the following: book shelf, sound system, event host, documentation (video and still photographs), and usherettes who will also take care of the registration and collecting email and contact numbers of your guests.
  • Keep the program really brief. Programs for book launching events are fairly short. They don’t last for more than two hours. The main part of your event is the book reading which lasts a little more than 10 minutes. What matters in the book launch is the way you introduce yourself and your book to your audience.
  • Keep your book signing lively. Your book launching is not complete without a book signing event. Aside from giving a few copies for free, make the crowd stay a bit longer by entertaining and interacting with them. A good background music playing or a short book trailer on loop can be a good way to draw interest from the crowd.
  • Marketing Materials. You can opt to distribute marketing materials as a set or individually. A marketing kit consists of the following: business cards, bookmarks, postcards, posters, and sell sheets.
  • Do post-event press releases. Event press releases are equally important as the event itself. They inform the public about the event and let people know about your book and yourself. Post-event releases are usually done immediately after the event. Press releases informing the public about an upcoming event are best done weeks leading to the event.

ReadersMagnet believes that one of the most effective way to launch your book attend national and international book fairs and sign up for a book signing book event. ReadersMagnet Content Distribution Services caters to these needs. Contact ReadersMagnet at their office number: (619) 354 2643 Toll Free Number: (800) 805 0762 Fax Number: (661) 338 1442 or email them at [email protected] for more details.