How to Plan a Book Launch in 2025? Successful Event Ideas

Planning a book launch seems as hard as getting started to write a book. The reality is that it is not as difficult as it looks, especially in 2025.

Hi, my name is Kim Hanks K., and I have recently launched my book successfully, From Campus to Career (I used a publisher), a book helping students to get started with their first step toward a career.

How did I manage this book launch event? Here, I am sharing my experience and a guide to how to launch a book.

If you want to build a solid career, you can buy your edition of From Campus to Career. 👇🏻

Picture From Campus to Career

Now, let’s get started with how to launch a book.

How to Plan a Book Launch?  

How to launch a book could be crucial, especially if it is your first time. Before you create your book launch checklist, here is what helped me while I was brainstorming for my book launch event ideas.

Plan your book launch event into four phases.

• Pre-Launch Preparations
• Launch Phase
• Launch Day Phase
• Post Launch

1.     Pre-Launch: Start preparing for the launch at least 6 to 12 months

As said, it is more like a key to a successful launch; you need to take notes for the ideas that come to your mind. This process begins 6 to 12 months before you launch your book.

First thing first,

• Start finalising your manuscript by editing and proofreading. Make sure you are formatting the layout for print and digital versions.

Next,

• Test different covers for your book, and for that, you need to take the services of a professional designer.

Create an Author Platform.

• For that, the best way to reach out globally is by creating a blog website and creating a contact page. Optimise social media profiles and keep postings based on current trends.

2.     The Launch Phase takes place from 2 to 4 Weeks Before the Book Launch Event

When the book launch event is near, you need to create a buzz for your book to reach your targeted audience.

For that,

• Try to create a buzz on every social media account that you have created in the Pre-Launch Phase. Announce the book coming with countdowns.
• Post the teasers of behind-the-scenes, the process, the event preparations, etc.
• To boost the impressions on your posts, use relevant hashtags.

 Leverage Media Outreach.

• No wonder social media has a massive reach, but you have to target the offline audience as well. For that, pitch your book to local newspapers and magazines.
• Schedule promotions by appearing on different radio shows and podcasts.

Narrow down the distribution channels.

• Ensure your book is available on local bookstores and online platforms like Amazon, IngramSPark, Kobo, etc.
• For online reach, make sure you are adding the right keywords and the metadata is optimised.

Plan marketing tactics.

• Invite popular and influenced people.
• Give special offers like giving away signed copies exclusively for pre-orders.
• Promote this heavily on your social media accounts and website.
• Engage the targeted audience in different activities, like giveaways, contests, rewards, etc., that go with your book’s niche.
• Collaborate with different authors for cross-promotions.

 Promote with Ads.

• Run promotional campaigns of ads on social media.  

3.     Book Launch Check List, the Event Day

These things you need to do on the book launch event day to post and repost.

This means,

• Share the posts of guests, mostly the prominent personalities of the events.
• Ask your followers to share your posts and promotions on their accounts to maximise their reach.

Utilise email marketing

• Send your warm and heartfelt thank you message to your supporters.
• Fetch the email accounts of people belonging to the book-related niches. Send them with your purchase links and subscription.

Engage your Reader

• Look for the reviews that are trending on your posts related to the books and use them to make a part of your campaign.

Check the availability of your book.

• Make sure that your book is available on online platforms

Track your book’s impressions  

• Monitor how your book is performing on different platforms and see which one is giving more impression, traffic, and sales to invest more time in its optimisation.

4. Post Launch Phase

This event takes place weeks after a book launch where you communicate with people telling more about the book and your inspirations.

Encourage Reviews

• Politely ask readers to leave honest reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, or other platforms. Share positive reviews on your website and social media. Even if they are negative, share two or three of them, too, to ensure originality.

Keep the Momentum

• Continue sharing content, such as reader testimonials, excerpts, or FAQs. Post updates on any events or milestones (e.g., bestseller lists) or take different parts of the content and make them a post to give a teaser to attract new readers.

Expand Your Reach

• Submit your book for awards or book clubs and get their reviews. Explore audiobook production or foreign translations to expand its reach by tracking your impression in the specific region.

Evaluate and Reflect

• Analyze sales data and audience engagement metrics.
• Note what worked well and what could improve for future launches.

Thank Your Supporters

• Send personalised messages or thank-you posts to those who helped promote your book.
• Offer discounts or exclusive content to your loyal followers.

That’s how I made my Book Launch event a Success. Let’s give you a quick peek.

Just a little more about book publishing that you should know as a first-time author publication

How to Publish a Book? Types of Book Publishing

When your manuscript is complete and in the final phase of editing, you should figure out what medium would suit you, i.e., the kind of book publishing that meets your requirements.

Just in case you don’t know, there are several book publishing models targeting different goals, budgets, levels of control, and many more.

However, I have picked a few that are generally preferred here.

1. Publish through the Publisher

This is the common option that many writers opt for (I used that too). In this, the publisher takes complete responsibility for the cost of your manuscript, including editing, designing, printing, and distribution.

Here, the author submits their manuscripts to the publisher, usually through literary agents. If it is accepted by the publisher, it will manage the whole process, and the writer receives royalties in advance.

The key pointers for this include

• You will get credibility and recognition in the publishing industry
•  You don’t have to pay upfront responsibility

However, it offers lower royalty rates compared to self-publishing in some cases.

2. Self-Publishing of a Book

This is completely the opposite of using a publisher. Here, the author has all the power to streamline the publishing process or outsource it with complete control.

The author writes, edits, designs, and markets the book itself or hires a professional to complete the task. Here, the author publishes through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing KDP, IngramSPark, or Smashwords.

The key pointers for this include

• Having complete creative control over the books and design.
• High royalty rates
• Fast publishing timelines

However, you need an upfront investment in editing, designing, and marketing.

3. Hybrid Publishing

As you can hint from the name, it is a blend of traditional and self-publishing techniques, where the author and publisher share the cost along with responsibilities. Here, you can get professional support in editing and marketing.

The key pointers for this include

• This technique is fast to market compared to publishing through a publisher
• Research is essential for this technique as a few publishers are reputable for it

4. Independent Publishing

In this, the authors establish their own publishing company or brand. Here, the author manages everything and may outsource a few tasks.

The key pointers for this include

• The books are distributed to bookstores and online retailers.
• It offers complete business control
• This gives the opportunity to build a brand

5. E-Publishing

This is exclusively published in digital formats, just like e-books. This includes publishing on platforms like Kindle, Direct Publishing, Kobo, Apple Book, etc.

The key pointers for this include

• To publish your book through this method, you need to make sure that the manuscripts are perfectly formatted.
• It offers zero production cost and ensures global distribution
• You can easily update and modify the book anytime.

I hope you find it informative. We have a lot more to share, so stay connected and subscribe to InspireAmbistions.com.