Julie Broad (Book Launchers) explains how nonfiction authors should assemble and mobilize a "Book Army" — a network of enthusiastic readers and contacts — to maximize a book launch. She defines who belongs in the Book Army, gives concrete steps (make a list; choose a communication system; decide what to ask — buy, review, share; make the ask; add supporters to a comms system; remind and thank them around launch day), and shares client success stories (Amazon top-100, bookstore/airport distribution, media connections). The video includes tool recommendations (ConvertKit, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, AWeber), timing advice (start 3–6 months ahead; 30-day reminders), and follow-up/thank-you tips (public thanks, snail-mail cards).
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Do you have a nonfiction book coming out in the next three to six months? Great. Now is the perfect time to get your book army marching in line to prepare for your book launch. Even a small army can have a massive impact. Let me explain. Hey, I'm Julie the Book broad with Book Launchers, your fabulous professional self publishing team helping you write, publish and sell nonfiction books that will grow your business and and make you money. If you're working on a nonfiction book, you need a team as amazing as our Book Launchers team to help you create success from your book. And if you don't have one, we should chat about your book to see if we're a good fit to work together. All I need is a little info about you and your book and then we can hop on the phone and chat. So go ahead visit book launchers.com application to take a couple of minutes to set up a call with me. Now let's talk Book Army. When my books came out more than Cash flow and the new brand you'd I got both of them to crack the top 100 print books on Amazon in Canada simply with a Book army and a few key influencers. Our client Gillian Gertzen topped several bestseller lists and got bookstore distribution thanks to her Book Army. Another one of our clients connected to a producer of a major talk show through hers and Gautam Bade landed Airport Bookstore Distribution which is really coveted for self published authors for his book the joy of compounding with a connection from his Book Army. The list of what can happen with a small but mighty Book army is huge. But what is a Book army and how do you set them up for success in supporting your book launch? Your Book army is a network of people you know who will support the book. The Book army consists of those super supportive and enthusiastic people in your direct audience and can be asked to purchase the book, leave reviews and share about the book on their social media and email networks. Consider them a ready made audience waiting for your marching orders to support the book. When I eventually put out my third book, I'll be looking to my YouTube besties to be part of my Book army and I'll reach out to select Book Launcher clients as well. And probably a few friends. Although my friends have proven to be the worst Book army. But anyways. But my YouTube besties are fantastic and I know they'll be there to support me. I'm talking about you, April Jones, Dale Roberts, warrior chick, Kevin McGuire, Sir Raymond, luxury Yacht, Matthew, Benny Bullock Fioche and so many others. You know who you are because you're awesome and you're one of my YouTube besties. Big virtual hugs. Anyway, when that book is ready, I'll be reaching out to you guys to be part of my book army, but there are a few select other folks that will be a part of my book army as well. Basically, your book army needs to be filled with your ideal readers. At the very least, massive fans of you and the work that you do. So figure out who they are and number one, make a list. Number two, once you have that list, plan. Plan what you want to ask of them and how you're going to communicate with them. I personally recommend you use some sort of a newsletter system. We recommend ConvertKip, but there's Mailchimp, constant contact aweber. You could also create a private Facebook group or a Slack channel if you use that software. But the most important thing is that you're going to have a way to get their attention, share the next steps and keep them excited and on task for your launch. With one and two done. Number three is decide what's going to be the most important thing you ask of them. In general, my recommendation is that you focus this on buying the book early and writing a review after the launch. Ask for them to share it with their friends, family, colleagues, and connect you with anyone who might have a podcast, a newsletter, or a group where it's a good fit for you to talk about or share your book. Number four, now that you know the who, how and what, reach out to the folks you'd like to ask for support and make the ask. Keep it simple and to the point. I'm just gonna make it up, but this is the spirit of what I'll put out there when I'm ready. In a few months, my new book, how to Crush youh Next Book Launch, not the real title, will be coming out. I wrote this book to help every nonfiction author write a great book that will achieve their goals. There are no silly gimmicks or false promises in this book. It's the real hard truth of what it takes to write a great book and get a return from that time and money. I'd love to give you a free advanced copy in exchange for your support. All I need for you to do is buy a presale copy, which will be a discounted price just for you, and then when the book launches, write a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and anywhere else you buy or read books. Can I count on you to be one of my launch supporters? I promise I'll make it easy as possible for you. That's it. Now number five, when they say yes, add them to that communication system that you'll be using. Number six now you need to plan out your communications to them and if you're adding any incentives to the folks that support you early, you will have to remind them and probably even reach out individually to get them to follow through on reviews. In particular 30 days out from your launch. Write them, remind them, let them know the timing of what is coming. You could also ask for ideas, connections and suggestions for other places to market your book, podcast media, newsletters, groups, meetings and events. We already have a video to help you with what happens on launch day, but for your book army, write them to get reviews, share success, thank them and ask them to share on social media. This is the big day. They need to mobilize for you on your launch day. On the day after your launch day, another reminder, another thank you and share success. I also like to thank people publicly for reviews when they're posted a week after launch. I would begin with the personal one on one follow ups and ask for connections to others to spread the message and it does hurt to remind them to share it again. If you have gifts or thank yous or other things to give your book army, do this now. If you have their mailing address, I think it's a really nice touch to send a personalized snail mail thank you card one month after launch. Reach out one more time and thank them again and remind them one more time that you appreciate all reviews, shares, connections and referrals. It might seem like you're reminding these folks a lot, but remember they committed to you that they wanted to be a part of your book army and people get busy so sometimes they need a few gentle reminders. One other tip, if you are pursuing bookstore distribution, you may want to leverage your book army to order from the bookstore chain you want distribution in and do an in store pickup. If you have enough people doing that, you will get the attention of the bookstore buyers. It's quite like you'll find yourself with a bookstore listing. Or at least if you call them to get bookstore listings and they check the sales, they'll see that people have been buying your book. Do you have a Book army success story? Share it in the comments below. And when you comment the day a video is released, you'll be entered to win some fantastic book launcher swag like this no boring books, noboringbooks mug or this oh so soft journal. And while you're here, please smash that thumbs up button. Try it. It feels good. And subscribe to the channel so we can hang out again when the next video comes out. New videos every Tuesday and Friday, except in the summer when I sit lakeside in B.C. canada, watching the ducks and geese swim in the lake, probably pooping in it. And then I go for a swim in it. Disgusting but true. All right, why are you still listening to me? Be please. There are some fantastic videos on this channel that you really need to watch. Like what is going to happen on launch day? Check that out right here. And if you want bookstore distribution for your book, then this video is sure to please. All right, Go ahead, click on one of those next videos and I'll see you there.
