- New location
- Agenda for event
- Giveaways
- Date and time
- Refreshments
- Promotion opportunities
- Sales method
- Documentation
New Location
I was told the bookstore I’d used for my first two launches was booked up, and I’d need to find a new location. I was very disappointed, but life goes on. I looked into a number of bookstores. Most were too small and didn’t have a presentation space, or were too large (like Barnes and Noble) that required a process of them carrying your book before you can hold events in their space. I didn’t want to take months to go through the process to “maybe perhaps” have a chance to be sold there. That’s not my target or intent. I do get why they have that policy, for the record.
Then I looked to other venues like local coffee shops. Unfortunately, Starbucks and Collectivo (formerly Alterra) didn’t have reservable space or “staff” to help with the event. I didn’t need staff help, but they felt it would be required. So those were dead ends. I did find one local place, but they wanted $100 for the space, and had poor hours for me to hold it.
I then thought about libraries! What a concept! I also attend a book launch of a friend in the Whitefish Bay library. It was a great venue, and totally viable. So I went to Milwaukee Public Library Web site and looked up my local opportunities. I ended up contacting the Bayview library because it was close, had parking, and was open.
Using their official site, it literally took a few minutes to reserve and lock-in the reservation. ALL FREE!
Agenda for the event
I followed the formula for my other two launches. I’d do a short presentation about the series and book, answer questions, do give-aways. This time I have an extra special reveal that I’m also going to do. I obviously can tell you what it is right now because it would wreck the reveal. But that will come after the give-aways.
Giveaways
This is always the fun part for me. I purchased raffle tickets. Everyone that shows up gets one. There’s items out on a table people can put their ticket into. Derek helps pick tickets and call winners. I had some clear interest with specific items in the past, so I’m going to reprise those:
- Copies of book 1
- Copies of book 2
- Copies of book 3
- One complete trilogy
- Prints of the third cover on metal (which look AMAZING–I already have them in)
- Audio book (one) copies
- T-shirts
It’s a fun way to say thank you to the amazing fans that have come out of their way to support me.
Date and Time
Orginally I wanted to do the launch December 6, 2014. Because I took an extra physical proof cycle for the third softcover I wasn’t going to have them in time to do a lunch. I did release the ebook as planned. While I had the physical copies in by the 11th, it was too close to the holidays to hold it.
I checked with a few key people on dates, and the library, and saw the end of January was open. Further out than I wanted, but it meant people could plan properly and be able to attend. That was the whole point! So, I locked in January 31st, 2015.
Refreshments
I’ll have water available, maybe coffee. My friend Pat offered to make something. I’m thinking light snacks like cookies, but that’s all. People really don’t eat much. I’ve brought trays of things in the past, and most of it was left at the end.
Promotion opportunities
Now that I had some time before the event, I had a chance to promote it. In addition to using the dmokrevival.com site, and the official Facebook page, I emailed people I knew attended before. I’m also going to leverage local library billboards, and local media to promote it.
Sales method
Since I won’t be at a library, and since I have a Wisconsin Seller Permit, I’ll use the “Square” technology via phone and ipad to do the sales. I belive we’re up to a 6% sales tax, which is easy to track (especially with the Square software). I’m going to have family help with any sales as I do signing.
I’m also going to run a promotion to sell the books closer to my production price versus the Amazon price (not that there’s much difference to be honest).
In the end, I’m so excited to celebrate the release of my first trilogy! It’s developed nicely! There’s so much to tell people about what’s coming up (I won’t say right now though)!
If you’re local to Milwaukee, I hope you can join me! If you’re not, thank you for your amazing support! I plan on recording it with my ipad and posting it to the D’mok Revival Youtube channel like I did with the second launch event.
Stay tuned! Also, if you have specific questions you’d like me to answer email them to me or message me via Facebook!