The Anatomy of a Book Launch 2

So after the launch of book three, once all the stats had rolled in I did the first in this series of posts. So now that book 4 has wrapped up it's launch, it's time to dive into the process, and then the numbers once again! So here we go!

The Process

Our starting point will be about two weeks before launch day. During this time I set up my free days and discounted days for books 1, 2 , and 3 (free, .99, .99 respectively), to run from the time of launch and for four total days. I also reviewed my proof copy, found that the cover was misaligned despite using Amazon's template, fixed it, reordered, and accepted the print version. I made a list of places to be sure that I posted about the launch. I also messaged the moderators of r/Fantasy, to make sure it would be ok for me to post a promo. Since I am an active member they ok'd it, and asked me to send them the post a week in advance for review, to make sure I was staying inside the rules.

The morning before launch I 'published' the print version. There is a lag, which usuallyhas only been a few hours, but for book 3 it took closer to 18 hours. So I erred on the side of caution this time...and of course it only took about 4 hours. So technically the print version was ready about a half day early.

On launch day I got up about a half hour early to get started on my posts. I posted to r/Fantasy, r/UrbanFantasy, r/ebookdeals, /freeEbooks, a popular UF facebook group, and across all my social media. I hit my email list the next day I believe. I can say without a doubt that the /Fantasy and /freeEbooks posts got the most traction, and I suspect the lion share of sales. I also benefited from a few bigger name than me authors sharing it (looking at you Rachel Brune, Bobby Nash, and John Hartness, much love!!).

I tried a strategy of posting to a few smaller places (mostly reddits and facebook groups) over the course of the next couple of days, to try and stagger attention, and keep my books charting longer. I don't think it really had much of an effect though.

And how did those sales go?

First, a quick clarification. Amazon has changed how they tally sales since the last time I did this. The numbers turn out the same in the end, but they log the time it occurs on differently now. So I am now going to record all sales using the new version, and am editing the last editions stats to use the new method. So all numbers in parentheses are the numbers from the book 3 launch.

• Day 1: Paid - 139 (179) Free - 720 (629)

• Day 2: Paid - 58 (33) Free - 159 (97)

• Day 3: Paid - 14 (22) Free - 65 (74)

• Day 4: Paid - 8 (7) Free - 26 (35)

• Total: Paid - 219 (241) Free - 970 (835)

So I sold 22 less books, but gave away 135 more.

KU Reads

I also saw a large spike in KU page reads from day one, no doubt from folks who have KU seeing my promo, and opting to read on KU rather than buy the books (which was the intent). Page reads for those days were: 544, 559, 1,284, and 1,176. A great 4 day stretch for sure.

The Money!

What does this break down to money-wise? Using the KDP royalty estimator, which includes KU page reads as well as book sales: 290.83 (400.73 last time). That doesn't fully cover the cost of this book, but it gets pretty close, and I know I have a number of print copies that have been ordered, that I only get paid when they ship. Which usually takes a few days. So I suspect once all those ship out, I will be pretty close, plus all the page reads that will continue to roll in, as well as my usual sales. Last launch I had another 80 or so dollars roll in over the course of the following week. So less than last launch, but not shabby at all!

Edit: As I suspected, the three days after the sale ended, I had another 73.76 roll in. Brings my monthly total to over 400, so I have broke even.

So what would I do differently?

First, I am making a checklist for publishing, so I don't forget places to post, and things to do.

Second, as I said last time and forgot to do (see above), I would have included a link to my email list in my social media posting. That was a big missed opportunity, now that I have a free story for subscribers.

Third, I would try to get on some promo sites. I was too late in looking to get on Book Barbarian, which I have heard good things about.

Fourth, I would reach out to people I know, who have followings, to see if they would consider posting. I didn't do this, and was very blessed to have some do this of their own volition, but I have a few other folks with reach that might have helped.

Fifth, I had a lot of competition in the space that day. A lot of books, in my genre, launched that day ranging from indies like me up to some pretty big names in the space. Last launch I did on a Wednesday. So I am going to take a long look and see what might be the best day for me to launch.

How do I feel about it?

I am very happy! It was a successful launch I feel, and the reviews are already starting to roll in, which to a large degree is the point of launching like this. I also acquired a couple of folks who are shaping up to be FANS, which is always great. I love that I have a great group of supportive friends and family, but hearing from folks I've never met that they have been camped out on my site checking things out while they desperately wait for print copies of all my books to come in....that just hits something special.

If there is any fly in the ointment, it's that I had hoped this launch would be perhaps exponentially better. I don't necessarily feel that I 'grew' in size on this launch. I mean obviously I reached a ton of new people. But the sales numbers don't lie. But all this means is that I can't get complacent! Next launch I will do all the things I've listed above, and give some new things a try as well!

Also, I really feel like there is a critical mass to be hit in a process like this. Eventually I will have reached enough new people that it starts to generate significant amounts of word of mouth, and will become slightly more self generating. Getting to a point where enough folks are out there who have read my stuff, so that when a post on reddit asks for recommendations like my books, that there is always someone around to suggest them, is the goal here. What that exact mass point is, I couldn't begin to guess. But I know for a fact I am closer now than ever!!!