Embarking on a journey to publishing a book is an exhilarating endeavor, filled with dreams of making an impact and reaching the coveted bestseller status. Natasha Zo, a public relations agent and a book launch strategist, revealed in her article the strategy that brought success to the book launch of her client, Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani.
In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this successful approach, unveiling the blueprint that can help aspiring authors turn their publishing dreams into reality.
Behind every bestseller lies a meticulously crafted plan. When she noticed that the original tactic was not working, Zo shifted her approach. The initial plan was to attract huge platforms, from well-known media to influencers with a huge follower list. Half a year before the launch, Zo made a daring choice to allocate significant resources to foster connections for this book campaign, establishing a community centered around the core concept of the book.
Building a community for the book involves connecting with people who are genuinely interested in the book's idea. This approach includes cultivating a group of people that resonates with the book's concept. Instead of approaching individual readers, the tactic involves engaging with bloggers, podcasters, and opinion leaders who can boost excitement and bring their followers on board for the book launch. Starting from a small number of 20 people of Kristina's close contact, community reach rose to an even bigger audience of more than 120. This strategy brought great results, as Kristina was featured in 90 vlogs, became a guest on 90 podcasts, and had her book promoted in 300 articles.
READ ALSO: Eileen's Book-to-Movie Differences: Director William Oldroyd Explains the Changes in Plot
The promo campaign had started before AI-based tools such as ChatGPT became mainstream, as Zo stated. In the middle of the campaign, Zo and her team started using AI tools to identify pertinent micro-influencers, obtain their contact information, and initiate the initial contact. Zo stated that AI can be helpful when promoting a book, even without the support of a team.
When working toward a book launch, Zo recommends separating the promotion period from the launch period and dedicating at least three to four months from completing the final draft until the launch date for promotion. Zo advises not to chase after influencers with huge numbers instead of shifting the focus to people who will resonate with the book's message. Lastly, Zo highlights the importance of creating an advanced readers club and giving the readers early access to the book.
Zo's success is a testament to the effectiveness of a well-thought-out publishing strategy that encompasses strategic planning, timing, innovative marketing, collaborations, and ongoing community engagement. Aspiring authors can take inspiration from this proven blueprint as a guide to navigate the intricate path toward literary success and the coveted bestseller lists.
RELATED ARTICLE: Mark Cuban's Top 9 Must-Read Books for Business Success