Book Launch Ideas: Celebrate a Major Win without Losing Focus!

Do you want to know how I celebrated my book launch? So my book has come out. It's super exciting. It's been an amazing week. Overwhelming, chaotic, working extremely hard, and I'm loving every minute of it. And one of the things that struck me on day one of when the book came out was how much people wanted to celebrate. And I got a ton of emails from people congratulating me, and I had a bunch of Facebook messages, and people were tweeting me and saying congratulations and taking pictures of themselves buying the book. And I love it. I love all of it. And then I started doing a bunch of media, and I was doing radio shows and podcasts and interviews and just constant, constant— the whole day, launch day was basically just all day doing interviews. And one of the most common questions that I got asked was, "How are you celebrating?" First couple times, it's like, "Ah, you know, whatever, I didn't remember what I said, but I kept coming up and then, you know, I'm not big on celebrating, just in general. I think it's a weakness and a strength. I'm much more focused on the marriage than the wedding day. I think too many people focus on the wedding day and make it this huge thing, and just in general, in life, we focus on celebrating one thing where for me, the real celebration is in everything afterwards. Like, who cares about one day and you care too much about the wedding and not about actually having a happy marriage, right? And I apply that to everything. I don't— I honestly don't care much about book launch day. I want the book to be successful. Everything that I'm doing, I'm thinking is about the longer term, the bigger game, because so many books come out and push to hit a New York Times bestseller list or whatever it is, and it was never really, uh, a top priority for me. It's much more about I want people to read this because a lot of those New York Times bestsellers or Amazon bestsellers all geared around the one day and then it falls off and the author can put bestseller on their bio and sure, that's great, but again, for me, I want people to read it. Like much more important than just having a book to my name, I want people to read it. I want you to, guys, I want you to read the book, apply it. It's a good book. I'm proud of it. It's not just a sales and marketing tool. There's quality in there that will change your life. That's why I wanted to reach people. You know, I don't really care about the celebration too much. So I think that's the strength of that. I care so much about the mission. I think the weakness though is that other people like to celebrate. And there's a lot of people on my team who've done a lot of great work on this, and my wife who supported me through all of this. And it's good to show some recognition. And so that's probably a weak point for me. As an entrepreneur, as a human being. So the thing that got me shifted on this was, you know, people are asking me these questions, how are you going to celebrate? I'm working like I'm— this is my— this is my celebration. You know, like I'm talking to you, you know, I'm making videos. I made— I made video after video after video of just thanking people who read my book, who bought the book, right? Making customized videos for everybody who bought the book and taking 30 seconds, a minute, 90 seconds out of that day to make a custom video for somebody. What's up, Jonathan? Alexandra, happy Tuesday. What's up, man? Greetings from Toronto all the way out to Jamaica. What's up, Alita? What's up, Gungyu? Happy Tuesday. So then I saw this post on Facebook from J-Rise, who had an instrumental role in the book, and it was him at one of the biggest bookstores here in Toronto, and he took a picture of the book, and he was there with a friend, and they both took a picture, and they posted it to Facebook, and it started getting some likes. And I thought, hmm, maybe, you know, maybe I should go to a bookstore. Maybe I should get out of just work mode on the book, answering emails, and go to a bookstore. And so we did. So Nina and I went out to a local bookstore and found the books, and it was great that they had some copies. Took some pictures with them, and that was a fun little moment. And then she's like, "What else do you want to do to celebrate?" I'm like, "I don't know." I'm thinking again, like, I'm going to go back. I got to go back. I have more videos to make. I'm going to be up all night making videos for people who bought the book. And then on the way home, I thought, "You know what? Let's go to McDonald's." And I'm not a big McDonald's fan. I eat at McDonald's maybe a couple times a year. You know, the food just kind of makes me feel a little gross after I eat too much of it. But the reason why I chose McDonald's was, I think I tell the story in the book, when I was getting started my first company, I was not making a lot of money, right? I'm making $300 a month. I couldn't afford anything. And anytime we had a major win, we would go to a local McDonald's and share— there's 3 of us— we'd share a large fries. And, uh, that, that was our celebration because I couldn't afford more than that, right? And, you know, watching every Forget dollar, every penny, you're watching every penny. And so that was the celebration, like, let's go out and have some McDonald's french fries. And so for me, McDonald's french fries kind of represented a win, victory, right? The process. And even when I think about McDonald's fries now, I kind of smile and just, it's good vibes and good memories, even though I know they're terrible for you and I don't eat them much. So I thought, let's go to McDonald's and get not just the fries, let's, Nina and I will share a large fries, but then I'm going to get a Big Mac and I'm going to get a Flurry, Oreo McFlurry with, uh, caramel sauce, because this— we're gonna celebrate, and this time again I can afford a meal. So we did that, we did that, and, and it was a nice little break, fun little celebration. And then I went back and started working again and making more videos for people. So that's how I celebrate, and I'm curious what you guys do to celebrate. Uh, I don't want to take my eye off the ball I want to keep on, you know, I want to support you guys. I want this to take off. I want you to find your one word and apply it in your life and business. And I don't want to let off the gas, you know. So what I can see that sometimes you maybe need to support the people around you. I don't know that I miss it that much. I forget what the example was before. We hit some milestone and Nina said you should go out and celebrate. And I went out and bought myself a donut or something. And all I'm thinking the whole time, like, I eat the donut, great, and I'm just thinking, "Yeah, man, I wasted half an hour there. I could have used that time to do something else." But I think that's just awareness for me to know that I don't really need the celebration much, but for the people around me and for the team and you guys, celebration is important. So I need to maybe embody that a little bit more. Wait, what should we— should we do something? I know we're past book launch day now, but should we do something to celebrate together the launch, the book? We are going to be doing book review club, so we're going to— every week I'm going to be doing a, um, a call to go through chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, all the way up to 7. And there's a link that we can put in the description, so that'll be a form of celebration to kind of answer questions. But there's something else, I don't know, give me thoughts, let me know what you think. I'm curious. How do you celebrate? Should we celebrate more around the One Word book? Let me know. Leave in the comments below. We'll answer next week. All right, so let's get to some of your comments from last week. Last week I was talking about giving these books away. So we've got like 200 books that I got to give away. I don't know how to do it. Don't know what I should do with them. I want to make sure that the people who get them are going to read them and take action and not just have them sit on a shelf and be some prize that they won. It's important to me that you actually do the work. So let's go through some of the comments and see what you guys have in mind. Some ideas. Mihail, I think that this book should go to libraries and business schools, the one which will really appreciate it and use it. Not any library or business school. Like this one library in USA you mentioned on the livestream, you will go there and sign their book. Why not give them another X number of copies? By giving this book to libraries and business schools, each copy will surely be read multiple times over for the years. I think that it is really is the way to make an additional impact. That's an interesting idea. I don't know how the library buying system works. Like if people are asking for a book and it's not there, do people then— do the librarians then go and buy more copies of it? You know, if there's a lot of demand, do libraries then go do it or does the book just sit? Like I'm sure for some— if you get Harry Potter, the library's going to have more than one copy of it, and if people keep asking for it, do they order more? This is a pretty cool idea. If the— if there's already that funnel where that the libraries already will order more because it's a demand, I like that idea. Uh, well, I think actually then they'll take care of it themselves. But if, if people— if there's a demand and the librarians aren't ordering, maybe there's— because of budget or whatever, maybe there's a fit there. I don't want the book just to sit on a library shelf. Probably better to sit on a library shelf than to sit on somebody's shelf at home buried in a box, because at least the library will Somebody will see it, hopefully walking by, greater chance of it being used. So I like that. I like that. Let's, let's give some additional thought there. I'd love to dive a little deeper on that. I like that. Next, Tommy, here's an idea. Have anyone who is interested in receiving a copy of the book post a short YouTube video stating why they want to read the book. This requires a little effort, so it would help weed out those people who are not serious about it. At the same time, it's not an overwhelming task. People could shoot the videos on their phones and upload. That's an interesting idea. Yeah, I think people need to do something. I don't want it to be an automatic window. It's got to— you got to put some effort into it. Thinking. I don't know. There's something there. Let's see what else people have. Anybody who says just can I have one, that's not how this works. I need some ideas, guys. The whole point is you got to put some effort into this so we can figure out a way to make it work. Diana, every student in high school and college should be mandatory read. I love that, Diana. If you guys have connections in the school boards, I— man, if self-awareness and entrepreneurship was taught more in schools, can you imagine? Can you imagine, man? I'm digging that. I would love that. Yeah, maybe there is a way to connect with high schools too. I don't know, put it on the curriculum. If there's something involved with that, I'm 100% on board. Next up, Hombre de Saber. Hmm, if you give them away, make it a non-asked gift. When people get unexpected gifts, they do appreciate them, but if they asked for the thing to be given, then they don't. I could, I could look at the most loyal members of Believe Nation and give out books, but you know what, like a lot of you guys already have them. They're already in your house. You're already reading through them. I think the people who love this channel most, uh, have already— I, I know you guys. I know your names, and I recognize the names on the list. They've already bought it. I do— I like the idea of having a surprise, but again, I don't know that you're going to read it. I think you don't appreciate things that, uh, that are— that you don't— you don't pay for in some way, whether it's monetary or some other way. So this is the challenge I'm feeling. Brittany, I think a launch party for your book may help. You can let people know about the debut book and they will get a free book if they attend. Maybe you can charge $5 to get in the door. Just some thoughts. That's cool, Brittany. Uh, and I recognize your name. I know you bought, you bought a book. I appreciate that. Yeah, maybe back to the idea of celebrating. I don't do enough celebrating. I don't know how many people are here in Toronto who, uh, who we could have a fun launch party around. Or maybe, I mean, I have a space, right? I have Toronto Dine Salsa. Could easily do something there, book signing event or something. Maybe we give the profits to charity or something. I don't know, maybe there's something there. Hmm, hmm, maybe there's something there. Maybe we do a charity event at TDS for anybody who wants to come to Toronto, and I sign the book, and we give the money to charity. I'm gonna write it down. Something there. Or it could be a different city too, just it's easy for me in Toronto. Next up, the Kiru. Great muscles, Nina. Go— got to get back to the gym. Yeah, Nina, Nina, Nina was flexing in last week's video, so Yeah, she's working it. She's crushing it. You can have people say the reasons they want the books, the reasons that they want to win the book. Could be good. I want to feel some passion. I like that it's not an automatic win. You got to show something in there. Sean, I dance salsa Miami. You have to come to Miami Salsa Congress, brother. I've never been to the Miami Salsa Congress. It might, man. We might. Or maybe we bring Miami heat to Toronto. Come on up, come on up to the Toronto, come up to Toronto Dance Salsa, Sean. Let's see your moves. We'll do a video together. Let me know, man. Next up, Maverick. Evan, do you have a video talking about what your book is about, why you wrote it? If not, please do one. I've done a few books, done a few book videos. I mean, there's been this whole series that we're in episode whatever now. It's crazy. What episode is this? Let me see again. Episode, hold on, 78. Episode 78. We've done 78 videos talking about the book and the process. I've also done some standalone videos on the channel. But listen, bro, I respect the opinion. If there's something that you feel is missing, if there's a video, tell me what you want to see in the video and I'm going to make that video for you, man. If I've been unclear on something or something you still want to learn, then let me know. And I'm open to that from everybody. You want to see a certain kind of video? I'll do it. I'm up for it. Tamara, fun video and love your muscles, Nina. Hashtag Nina has muscles. It's true, Nina is strong. She's strong physically, strong emotionally. I'm a big fan. Evan, I feel the same way about you doing giveaway your books to someone who may not even read it. I don't have an answer for you. I'm waiting in the mail for my 10 books to arrive. I don't have anyone picked out yet to give it to because I really, really, really want them to read the book, right? 100%. Like, if you— for those of you who are buying it as gifts because it's Christmas time or you want to support, you want You want to see them have progress in their lives. You don't want to give somebody a gift they're not going to use, right? If I bought 10 books, I would want to make sure that the book I'm giving that person to, like, they're going to read it. They're going to read it. J-Rise, hashtag EC viewing party. Might be something there. Might be something there. Next up, Amy, make a contest. They have to win it. We could do that. We could combine some of those things. The ideas before about making a video and why you want or why you want it. Maybe I would auction off a box. Maybe I take one of the boxes and say, listen, there's how many books in this box, and make a video, and the best whatever, however many are in a box videos win. It could be some kind of like— I don't want to limit to only people who have a YouTube channel. Like, if your skill is art, maybe you make art or you take a picture. I don't know. There's something. We're going to come up with something. Kathleen, hi. I received my book today. Sweet. I can't wait to begin reading it. Good luck, Kathleen. I'm so excited for you. Let me know how it goes. If you have questions. Dr. Queen Bee, I haven't finished watching this video yet, but may I say something? You two are so cute. It's all Nina. Nina brings the cuteness to the channel. We're not going to get cute comments on this video, although Nina is right there. So yeah, I like having Nina on the channel. It's always fun. Mark Drager, give them to me. I'll read them. Mark, you are a massively successful entrepreneur who's been featured in some amazing books, at least one that I know of. Amazing. It's like one of the best books of all time, Mark. You should be buying at least 100 copies, give them away. Come on, Mark, that'd be an extraordinary thing to do. I'm just saying. Regina, hey there, Evan, I just bought your book on Amazon this morning. Can't wait to read it. Love it, Regina. Let me know how it goes. You guys have questions, let me know. I want to answer them for you. Lynn 90210, give them to struggling teenagers who need a bit of of a boost to empower them for the rest of their adult life? Yeah, again, I would love to. I would love to. Uh, it's how to identify those teenagers, right, who are ready to receive the message. That's the big challenge, whether it's teenagers or entrepreneurs, you know, that's the big challenge, finding those people who are ready. Javier, just be patient and worry about selling a box at a time. By the time you know it, they'll be gone. Take small steps. I don't really care about selling the books. That's not like— I don't know how much money that is. It's It's whatever, 200 books times $20, you know, it's like, it's not about selling the books, man, it's about making sure that the people who get it are going to do something with it. Reem, let people buy it. If someone really wants it and is interested in your message, they will do anything to have it. You want the hustlers who will do anything to make their life better. Read every book, apply every piece of advice. I'm with you, Reem. I'm with you, Reem. I mean, maybe we make it as a bonus, you know, personalized autographed version with a message or something in there for the extra hustlers who want come out to an event. I'm loving all the feedback, guys. This is, this is good food for thought. Melissa is writing in to suggest that we give it to groups who have book clubs or churches or high school students and leave posts on discussion boards or Skyping the session. That's interesting. There's a book club that might want to read it. I think if you're part of a book club— it's why I wanted to do my online book club— if you're part of a book club, you're much more likely to read it because you're accountable to somebody else. So that's interesting. That's interesting. Thank you for that. Next up, Tamara. Tamara bought 10 copies of the book, so, uh, thank you for that, Tamara. Hope you're enjoying them when they're in your hands. Suggestion: Hi Evan, you should one, give the books away to loyal fans but have them pay for shipping. Yeah, again, like, it's not the cost. Maybe, maybe I didn't explain that. Like, the cost of sending it is not— I'm not worried about that. That the revenue from selling the books, I'm not worried about that. If we give it to Kiva or something else, it's not It's not what I'm really concerned about. I guess the pain for shipping, is that enough to get somebody to then read the book? That, hey, I paid $4 for shipping or whatever it is, that now I'm going to— that's enough of an investment to get the book? Maybe. Create 20 book clubs around the country and after 1 week do a live chat via Skype or Google Hangout. Ooh, that's interesting. Instead of mine or I guess in addition to mine doing 20 having people who want to launch their own book club locally and then being willing to do a hangout with them. I like that. Well, let me know, guys. Do any of you want to do a local book club and then at the end of it chat with me to talk about the book? I'm up for that, man. I'm down. I'm going to put that on the list. I think that could even be an interesting marketing strategy just to go to all the book clubs and say, here's what we're doing. Evan would be happy to have a session with you guys at the end of the book club. I like that. Tamara, man, always showing some love. I love this. 3, let in a staffing/marketing company like mine— shout out to hightoptalent.com— or loyal fan of your channel and represent you and create a marketing video asking people around town what is their one word or even a 4-suggestion. Go on a book tour, 10 cities, and market your book, meet your fans, and push your sales. You can do it, Evan, I believe! #TamCam. It's something I'm thinking about doing, a book tour. My publisher doesn't want me to do it because it never returns. You don't make— basically make enough sales from a book tour to cover the costs of travel and all that stuff. But meeting fans, I don't know, I love it. I love meeting you guys. That's, that's, that's joy for me, man. Maybe we do. You know what, I'm writing it down. I'm writing it down. I'm writing it down. Penn City book tour. Meet fans, sign copies. I think, I think that could, that could be something fun to do. Next up, Juni: students will read anything that teachers assign for a course, so ask a few teachers of entrepreneurship from different universities if they're interested, uh, to teach it in their course. I like that, that could work. I don't have the connections into, uh, teachers, but, uh, if any of you guys are teachers and want to have it as recommended reading for your students or you know a teacher who would potentially do that, let me know. I'm very curious to have a conversation, see if that's a potential path. The B Thong: Since I pre-ordered the book, I would take an extra book from your 195 and ask my readers to convince me why I should give it to them. This way your book gets more attention if other YouTubers like me would do it. So it's interesting, give it to YouTubers and then have them say to their audience why should you get The One Word Book. I think it'll work. I think I got to get on the radar of that YouTuber first to have them be passionate about it. Interesting. Guys, this is some good food for thought. I love it. You can always count on Believe Nation to come through with some ideas. I'm gonna give it some more thought whether we give it to libraries, do some kind of— I like the idea of doing like a one box giveaway to you guys, Believe Nation, if you do something. Some kind of charity event at TDS, local launch party, something around the local book clubs. I really like that. Working with YouTubers, and then some kind of tour. Good food for thought, guys. I love it. If there's anything else, let me know. Leave it down in the comments below. And back to the initial topic about celebration, if we should do something as Believe Nation to celebrate, what ideas you might have, let me know in the comments below. And then if you have any questions about the book, going through the book, for those of you who've bought it, you need help with it, leave in the questions in the comments below. And if you just have questions about the book writing process, you're trying to write your own book, you're trying to get a publisher, any of that stuff, it's been a long journey. And if I can help, then I'm happy to. Leave it down below. Thank you guys so much for watching. I— you know, I can't express enough how much I value you guys, your input, your feedback, your loyalty, your love, your encouragement, your motivation. You know, I motivate you guys, but it definitely comes back. You guys motivate me to keep doing this stuff. So I really, really appreciate that. I believe in you. I hope you continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is. Much love, guys. I'll see you soon.