Is it possible to do the launch team stuff just before release. Send a pdf and have them write reviews when book is launched? Or, getting them to read and pay for ebook is preferred?
Also, I’ve requests for signed copies. Should a purchase author copies and send those out on my own?
You can definitely put together your launch team just before release. I have found that I need to get the team together early otherwise I’m following up with people a lot right before launch.
Yes, you can definitely send a pdf copy. I actually do that too. However, I ask them to purchase copies (kindle version at least) so they can be verified reviewers, some do, some don’t. No skin off my back.
I do signed copies too. I tend to order 10-20 author copies for this situation and send them out to people. I don’t get 10 to 20 asks, but I make sure I have extras around the house.
With my launch team, I send them the PDF copy to read ahead of time. I ask them to ‘buy’ the kindle version (normally I have a 24 to 48 hour window there the kindle version is free. They can download it and that makes them a verified purchaser). I don’t make them buy it, but typically my launch team is made up of people who would buy it anyway.
If I were to tell them to buy it and then I would reimburse them, that could be seen as purchasing reviews, Amazon doesn’t like that, it can get your account suspended. So no, I don’t reimburse anyone if they are on my launch team and buy my book.
When I say launch team, I mean personally invited you individuals who will commit to launch activities like sharing your posts, creating their own posts, downloading your book and leaving a review. It not just a email blast, it’s a committed team.
Is it possible to do the launch team stuff just before release. Send a pdf and have them write reviews when book is launched? Or, getting them to read and pay for ebook is preferred?
Also, I’ve requests for signed copies. Should a purchase author copies and send those out on my own?
Thanks for the great article!
You can definitely put together your launch team just before release. I have found that I need to get the team together early otherwise I’m following up with people a lot right before launch.
Yes, you can definitely send a pdf copy. I actually do that too. However, I ask them to purchase copies (kindle version at least) so they can be verified reviewers, some do, some don’t. No skin off my back.
I do signed copies too. I tend to order 10-20 author copies for this situation and send them out to people. I don’t get 10 to 20 asks, but I make sure I have extras around the house.
I hope this helps!
So with your launch team, do they buy the book and then review? And then you reimburse them?
With my launch team, I send them the PDF copy to read ahead of time. I ask them to ‘buy’ the kindle version (normally I have a 24 to 48 hour window there the kindle version is free. They can download it and that makes them a verified purchaser). I don’t make them buy it, but typically my launch team is made up of people who would buy it anyway.
If I were to tell them to buy it and then I would reimburse them, that could be seen as purchasing reviews, Amazon doesn’t like that, it can get your account suspended. So no, I don’t reimburse anyone if they are on my launch team and buy my book.
Thank you so much! I’m expecting to have a 200-page book. And sell for about $20. Any idea what’s the print estimate per book?
I’m not very sure, my book of about 150 pages was about $2.50/book. But I haven’t purchased on author copies for that one in a while.
Curious how you define a launch team. I'm hoping that many of my current Substack subscribers will become part of a launch team of sorts.
When I say launch team, I mean personally invited you individuals who will commit to launch activities like sharing your posts, creating their own posts, downloading your book and leaving a review. It not just a email blast, it’s a committed team.