Here’s why a launch team is so important to an indie author like me:
There’s about a jillion great books published every single day, many of them by celebrity or established authors with huge platforms. In order to give my book a fair shake at being seen by potential readers, it needs sustained activity on Amazon for the first week, in the form of reviews, downloads, and purchases. These forms of social proof will trigger algorithms which boost its visibility for a long time.
Here's what happens next:
You leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads (or with your favorite retailer) by the publication date of November 16th.
OPTIONAL but super dooper appreciated, especially after November 16th: You share on social media or to relevant groups why the book is meaningful/validating/entertaining for you (assuming it is, and you’re comfortable sharing why). .
That's it! Hooray!
FAQs
1. Where do I leave the review? Two places please! --Amazon: click here. --Goodreads: click here. 2. What is Goodreads? Goodreads is a social media platform for authors and books, also owned by Amazon.
3. What makes for a thoughtful review? Whether you loved it, felt lukewarm, or hated it, the important part is to share a detailed why. It's great to make it personal if you have experience with topics covered in the book (Chronic illness? Spiritual bypassing? Abusive teachers? Being ghosted due to misfortune? Improbable faith?)
4. Should I mention how I know you in the review? In general, it's best to focus on the book itself. Sometimes Amazon will remove reviews left by friends or family. (But if you share about the book on social media, please do!)
5. What if I don't finish the book in time? No problem. You can write, "I'm halfway through this book and here's my thoughts so far... " You can always come back at a later time to adjust the review if your opinion changes.
6. You mentioned "Verified reviews." What's that? If you decide to purchase or download a copy from Amazon, your reviews become "Verified" and carry extra clout. While I definitely appreciate every purchase, just leaving a regular review is more than enough.
7. How do I help you spread the word? I trust your creativity, but here's oneidea: if you aren't shy about sharing in relevant groups on social media, you can cut and post a sales link along with a little blurb about why everyone-in-the-world-that's-not-yet-ending needs a copy.
8. If I want to help you advertise, can I share non-Amazon links? Yes! Please follow the links on my book page to choose your favorite. The book will be available at all major online retailers and through special orders at indie bookstores by Monday, November 16th.