I admit it. I was a terrible launch team member. At least, that’s what I thought. I always felt guilty that I wasn’t doing enough, no matter the author. Then, about two years ago, I transitioned from being a launch team member to having my own launch team. And my view of what it takes to be a valuable part of a book release changed. Since then, my launch team has been a bright light on a pretty dark path recently. I want every author to have the same experience.
That’s why I’ve compiled twelve ways to be an awesome launch team member.
- Be an existing mega-fan– You may have heard great things about an author or liked the one book from them you read four years ago. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like the current book, and no author wants to force you to say you like a book when you don’t.
- Personally suggest the author’s book to a friend who may like it. You may think that you aren’t as valuable as someone else who runs a big blog or has a lot of followers on Instagram. While those popular bloggers may get a book’s cover in front of more people, that doesn’t automatically sell books. What does sell books? Seeking out friends that you know will love this book and making a personal suggestion.
- Keep track of your favorite lines and make social media images with them. Every author gets to the point where they’ve read their manuscript so many times, and they can no longer see what the “mic drop” lines are. You know the lines that make your breath catch or a tear form? It is immensely helpful to highlight these lines for the author. Even if you can’t make images, at least message the author with the line you loved.
- Remind the author why they must keep writing. Envy, insecurities, rejections, OH MY! Look, the book industry can be a real roller coaster. Never underestimate what a word of encouragement might do in their heart.
- Participate in reader groups. If you want to sell popsicles, you drive your ice cream truck to a playground on a hot day, right? So if you want to help launch a book, spend time around fellow readers who are always looking for book suggestions.
- Utilize any connections you may have. Are you friends with a Christian radio DJ? Or your sister writes for Dayspring? Or your mom leads a book club at a big church? Suggesting the book for them to read or flat out asking if they’d be interested in meeting or interviewing the author may lead to new roads and more book sales.
- Promote engagement on the author’s posts. We’ve all heard how fickle social media platforms are. If an author’s posts tank in likes, comments, and shares, the social media powers-that-be will stop showing that author’s posts to their followers. Trust me. I have a page with 10,000 followers and each post gets seen by less than 14 people. Mark Zuckerberg clearly hates romance! (I kid, I kid). But seriously, even a simple emoji helps!
- If you can’t read the book by the release date, talk to the author. We understand that things happen. Illness, work stress, family drama can take a toll on reading time. Just let us know so we aren’t wondering if it’s something we did.
- Accept the free book but consider buying a copy for a gift or giveaway. Some publishers are actually discouraging launch teams because that’s 30, 50, or 100 free books that could have been sales. So if it is in your budget, think about buying one to make up for the lost potential sale.
- Be understanding. No one intends to ignore or overlook your sweet, congratulatory post or your thoughtfully worded review. Launch day is especially crazy for authors. It’s okay to remind us of your post or review. It’s okay to tag us or private message us with the post as a reminder to see it. In fact, we’d appreciate it!
- Pray for them, and if you feel comfortable, share your own prayer requests with them. We LOVE getting to know our launch team members better and we’d happily pray for whatever you have going on in your life.
- Share with them your own aspirations. Are you hoping to become a popular bookstagrammer or a romance writer yourself? TELL US!! After all you do to help us out, we’d LOVE to help you right back!
So there you have it! Twelve ways to be an awesome launch team member! Have I missed anything? Or do you have any suggestions on how to be an awesome author leading a launch team?
Prone to wander, Janine Rosche finds as much comfort on the open road as she does at home. This longing to chase adventure, behold splendor, and experience redemption is woven into her Madison River Romance series and Whisper Canyon series. When she isn’t writing or traveling, she teaches family life education courses to college students, takes too many pictures of her sleeping dogs, and embarrasses her four children and husband with boy band serenades.
I am really enjoying finding lots of authors new to me with great books to read.
Hi Janine! Informative blog with great suggestions. This retiree and avid reader is on several launch teams. Due to health issues and Covid, I miss being out with friends and our local book club to discuss what we are reading and encourage readers to write reviews and interact with authors. Usually even when given a ARC copy, I purchase the book to support the author and write reviews. I also interact with authors through blogs, social media and emails. In my reviews I often include a line that caught my attention. As a retired high school teacher, I understand that many people are not comfortable writing reviews. As anything in life, writing reviews takes practice. Best wishes and happy writing.
Hi Janine, thanks for addressing this. This is one of the best posts I’ve seen on this subject. Excellent insights!
I always feel that what I do isn’t enough or doesn’t help as much as others. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings
Those are all excellent suggestions, Janine. Thank you!
I’m on quite a few authors’ launch teams. I do my reviews, share on my FB page, and share in groups on FB. I have quite a few friends who will ask me for book recommendations as they know I love to read!
This is excellent!! Thank you for sharing your heart 😊
Thanks for sharing ways we can help with book launches! I don’t have a large outreach through a blog , etc so I am grateful to see things that I do listed here. 🙂
This is great advice.
Great ways ❤
Hi, Janine. Thanks for this helpful list. All great ideas that any author would appreciate.
Me too! I’ve learned of many by that author’s launch team members and I’m the kind of person that will buy every book a friend personally recommends to me.
This is very helpful.
Those are excellent suggestions on how to help! And that’s an awesome perspective about why some don’t write reviews. I never thought about it relating back to high school writing fears. (I mean, I’m personally still scared of commas so it makes sense)
Thanks, Cynthia!
I’m glad I’m not alone. Hopefully, this encouraged you to know you ARE making a difference!
You’re welcome, Milla!
That’s fantastic, Trudy! Give me a recommendation for a swoony romance please!
I hope you know how much I appreciate you, as many authors do!
You are such a blessing to me, Alicia!
Very good advice, thank you . Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Wonderful post, Janine! As an older, tech-challenged person who loves to read and promote books, I find that there are some things I’m not good at or comfortable doing. Instagram is an example–my daughter has tried several times to show me how to do it with limited success. I can read Instagram posts, but trying to do my own and tag people, etc. is beyond my comfort zone. Therefore, I stick with the things I’m comfortable with, post reviews on several sites, comment on posts and blogs, recommend to friends, request my local library purchase, and a few other things. I leave more complicated promotional things to others. I feel that we all have our strengths we can use to promote the books and authors we love!
P.S. I love being on your team! You’re amazing! Hugs!
Thanks for this post.
Don’t forget to ask the library to purchase those books! Most are accommodating.
I also started a book club at church and pass around the review copies I get from authors and publishers.
Oh yes, don’t forget to fill out the influencer actions form if your author requires it!
So many great ideals Thanks for sharing! Blessings! I myself are on some Authors Launch team and I am always wondering if I am doing everything to help the Author to promote their books!
This is so inspiring and educative. Thank you.
A comprehensive list.
I’ve stepped down from launch/review teams at the first of this year because it was just too much for me to do anymore! Don’t get me wrong, I love supporting authors in ways I can….it just became too much work/energy/time that I just couldn’t give. When I felt like I was no longer enjoying reading for reading pleasure, then I knew it was time.
But I agree, a good launch team makes it all worth it and can spread the word on your books in places you aren’t able to reach as a writer. The support and camaraderie is refreshing!
Now what I do is library purchase requests, word of mouth, giving the books away that I have read, and cheering the authors on as well as praying for them.
Thank you so much for sharing. I have been a few launch teams. I kind of jumped in without any idea what I was doing. I am glad that I was able to do all that was expected. God bless you. Have a marvelous day.
I find it’s great help for authors & readers but not all use FB
Write reviews!
Thank you this is very helpful, I’ve never been on a launch team but always wondered what was involved. Now I can refer back to this post if I join a team or even just to promote a book I enjoy.
Tank you for saring tis (my letter is not working, sorry). I appreciate te torougness you gave to tis subject. I needed to ear tis because i don’t feel i am in a season to do all tose tings. I will continue to follow y’all, ceer you on, sare posts andprayer for y’all, toug. Tank you so muc for saring and being you! :D
i posted tis in te wrong spot sorry!