In April’s post, “5 Reasons You Should Host a Facebook Live Book Launch Party – Pandemic or Not,” I shared how my in-person launch party for Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible suddenly morphed into a Facebook Live book launch party because of the nationwide shelter-at-home order.
In May’s post, “15 Tips for Hosting a Successful Facebook Live Book Launch Party,” I gave you my best suggestions for a stellar virtual event.
Today, I’d like to share ten components of a successful Facebook Live Book Launch Party.
1. Use an agenda and script. There’s no need to write a word-for-word script. You’ll appear more natural and conversational if your eyes are on the camera, not on your notes. You will want to make sure you have an order of events, an engaging opening, and a strong close. A cheat sheet will help you with nervousness and brain freeze, keep you on track, and eliminate dead spots in the broadcast.
2. Begin with a strong hook. Because you’ll post the video on your page after the party, viewers who didn’t attend will encounter your video while scrolling through their feed. The first minute of footage will help them decide if they want to keep watching. Give them a reason to stay.
3. Share the what and the why. Tell viewers why you’re having a party and what they can expect if they stick around. “I’m Lori Hatcher, and we’re here today to celebrate the launch of my new devotional, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible. We’ll be playing games, sharing conversation, and giving away prizes, including several signed copies of my book, gift cards, and other goodies. We’ll laugh, have fun, get to know each other, and be refreshed in our faith.” Repeat this several times throughout the event for people who have just signed on.
4. Explain the giveaways. I awarded an entry for each person who watched, every time they participated in one of the discussions, shared the event on social media, and played a game.
5. Tell people where they can purchase your book. Many publishers will offer a special launch week price if they know you’re planning an event. Ask your publicist. My publisher, Our Daily Bread Publishing, offered a 40 percent discount the week of my launch.
6. Ask several questions that relate to your book’s theme. I asked, “During this shelter-at-home season, have you found it easier or harder to have regular devotions?; and During spiritually-dry times, what have you done to refresh your faith? I awarded an entry into the door prize drawing for each answer.
7. Play a game. I created a “How Well Do You Know the Author?” game with 15 questions about myself with multiple choice answers. Everyone kept track of their own answers, and I awarded a prize for the person who got the most questions correct.
8. Thank those who have helped make the book (and the launch) possible. There’s no nicer way to acknowledge your spouse’s, family’s, friends’, editors’, publishers’, and publishing house’s dedication and commitment than to thank them publically. Mentioning them on air is a great way to send kudos their way.
9. Thank guests for attending. Just like you’d express appreciation to friends for attending an in-person party, thank your viewers for taking time out of their schedule to attend your virtual party. Commend them for joining in the conversation, supporting you on your writing journey, and praying for you. Don’t take their attendance for granted. They could have done a hundred other things during that hour, but they chose to spend it with you.
10. Close in prayer. I asked my pastor/husband to end the evening by asking God to bless the book and those who will read it. Ending with prayer is a sweet way to pay tribute to the God who orders the events of the universe, including the timing of pandemics and book launches.
I never imagined I’d be launching a book in the middle of a pandemic. Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way. But the LORD directs his steps,” brought me comfort as I watched my plans for an in-person party disappear like hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
But God is sovereign. He knows what’s best. Once I surrendered my plans to Him and asked Him to guide me, I realized a Facebook Live party would be the best way to launch my book. Looking back, I’m glad I did. I suspect you might be, too.
Now it’s your turn. What’s the most unusual way you’ve ever launched a book? Share your story and join the conversation.
1. Use an agenda and script. There’s no need to write a word-for-word script. You’ll appear more natural and conversational if your eyes are on the camera, not on your notes. You will want to make sure you have an order of events, an engaging opening, and a strong close. A cheat sheet will help you with nervousness and brain freeze, keep you on track, and eliminate dead spots in the broadcast.
2. Begin with a strong hook. Because you’ll post the video on your page after the party, viewers who didn’t attend will encounter your video while scrolling through their feed. The first minute of footage will help them decide if they want to keep watching. Give them a reason to stay.
3. Share the what and the why. Tell viewers why you’re having a party and what they can expect if they stick around. “I’m Lori Hatcher, and we’re here today to celebrate the launch of my new devotional, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible. We’ll be playing games, sharing conversation, and giving away prizes, including several signed copies of my book, gift cards, and other goodies. We’ll laugh, have fun, get to know each other, and be refreshed in our faith.” Repeat this several times throughout the event for people who have just signed on.
4. Explain the giveaways. I awarded an entry for each person who watched, every time they participated in one of the discussions, shared the event on social media, and played a game.
5. Tell people where they can purchase your book. Many publishers will offer a special launch week price if they know you’re planning an event. Ask your publicist. My publisher, Our Daily Bread Publishing, offered a 40 percent discount the week of my launch.
6. Ask several questions that relate to your book’s theme. I asked, “During this shelter-at-home season, have you found it easier or harder to have regular devotions?; and During spiritually-dry times, what have you done to refresh your faith? I awarded an entry into the door prize drawing for each answer.
7. Play a game. I created a “How Well Do You Know the Author?” game with 15 questions about myself with multiple choice answers. Everyone kept track of their own answers, and I awarded a prize for the person who got the most questions correct.
8. Thank those who have helped make the book (and the launch) possible. There’s no nicer way to acknowledge your spouse’s, family’s, friends’, editors’, publishers’, and publishing house’s dedication and commitment than to thank them publically. Mentioning them on air is a great way to send kudos their way.
9. Thank guests for attending. Just like you’d express appreciation to friends for attending an in-person party, thank your viewers for taking time out of their schedule to attend your virtual party. Commend them for joining in the conversation, supporting you on your writing journey, and praying for you. Don’t take their attendance for granted. They could have done a hundred other things during that hour, but they chose to spend it with you.
10. Close in prayer. I asked my pastor/husband to end the evening by asking God to bless the book and those who will read it. Ending with prayer is a sweet way to pay tribute to the God who orders the events of the universe, including the timing of pandemics and book launches.
I never imagined I’d be launching a book in the middle of a pandemic. Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way. But the LORD directs his steps,” brought me comfort as I watched my plans for an in-person party disappear like hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
But God is sovereign. He knows what’s best. Once I surrendered my plans to Him and asked Him to guide me, I realized a Facebook Live party would be the best way to launch my book. Looking back, I’m glad I did. I suspect you might be, too.
Now it’s your turn. What’s the most unusual way you’ve ever launched a book? Share your story and join the conversation.
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ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteAlthough I could only participate in small ways, it was such a blessing to watch and learn as you prepared, planned, launched, and followed up on your RYF book launch Ms. Lori. What a joy it was to see how the investments you made in building relationships with your readers, reviewers, and launch participants have paid wonderful dividends. Capturing these efforts here in this series is "icing on the cake" ma'am, as they'll become part of the copious notes I've taken and hope to one day employ in my own way, as God leads. God's blessings ma'am.
ReplyDeleteLaunching a book is an incredible feat, J.D., one that if done well looks flawless to the readers. Since mine wasn't flawless, I'm comforted by the fact that, like a wedding, only a select few know the difference between what was planned and what actually occurred. I take great comfort in God's sovereignty when my plans go sideways. I'm grateful He provides faithful friends to come alongside us on the journey to publication. Many thanks for all your help in helping to connect Refresh Your Faith with the readers God intended it for :)
DeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteIn a pandemic, we can't have live events to launch a book like normal. Your post is important information for every author to know how to successfully launch on Facebook. Thank you for the detail and insights you've given each of us as authors.
Terry
author of 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed
Right you are, Terry. Man makes his plans, but God directs his steps has never been so true as in days like these. I'm especially grateful for publishing professionals like you who have paved the way and so generously share your knowledge with us all. I found tons of helpful material on your website as I planned my book launch. Thanks so much!
DeletePerfect timing! Thanks for this clear and concise list!
ReplyDelete