Checklist to Release – more info #5

Happy Thursday, lovelies! So, it’s been a while. Like, a long while! Oops! I’ve been busy with family stuff, appointments, writing, and so many other things that I forgot I didn’t finish out the last few items on the checklist to release. As I have a release coming up in less than two weeks, it seems like the perfect time to finish this! Let’s get to it! Oh, and I know I only wrote four items on the graphic above, but there’s actually five items. I sort of consolidated the add book details to website with add to shop as well.

The next five items…

✔️Send Newsletter

• Send Newsletter
  • Cover Reveal _____
  • Now Live _____
  • Add Preorder buttons on bottom of each email _____

There’s several items under send newsletter because there are many reasons why you’d keep sending a newsletter. Here are just a few major ones I’d send for sure. If you’re doing a cover reveal, of course you have to let your newsletter subscribers know. Sometimes, you can even send it to them first for being exclusive members to your newsletter. I usually have my books up for preorder when I share the cover for the first time, so don’t forget to include the links to the retailers! The other important newsletter to send is your book is finally live! Spread that word everywhere! lol There are other little newsletter reminders you can send throughout the preorder time (if you’re doing a preorder) but these are the two most important I don’t want to forget so that’s why it’s on my Checklist to Release list. I also added a reminder for myself to add preorder buttons (or the links) at the bottom of each email I send out to my subscribers. So if I’m sharing a sale or some other bookish news in my newsletter, I want that preorder book in there so they consistently see it. They say someone has to see something seven times before they buy. I don’t know who “they” is but that’s something that always runs through my head when I feel like I’m over sharing my books. Guess what? You totally can’t overshare. It can feel like it, but you’re not. Share away!

✔️ Add to Shop

So this is for anyone who has a shop. If you don’t, disregard this step. I recently put up my own shop in the beginning of the year (or more like late last year in December.) AS Books & Crafts. I sell signed paperbacks, book sleeves I make, and all my books via available on any e-reader device! So this step for me is a recently added item on my checklist so I don’t forget to add my newest book to it, whether that be the ebook version or the paperback! I just ordered paperbacks for my upcoming release, Cruel Consequences. So as soon as I have them, it’s going up there. Exciting, right! I’m not quite sure how preorders work on Payhip (which is what site I use to host my shop) yet, so that is the only place I don’t have Cruel Consequences up for preorder.

✔️ Add Book Details to Website

• Add book cover and details to website _____
  • Once book is live, remove any preorder information _____

You would think you wouldn’t forget to add your book to your own website, but you’d be surprised what can slip your mind. So that’s why I have this on my checklist as a reminder. There’s so much to do when you release a book, I don’t want to forget anything. If you don’t have a website, I highly recommend you get one. There are free ones you can utilize, however, I pay for my own domain. Amandasiegrist.com can only be used by me! I make sure I add my book cover, the blurb, the retailer links, and I even add in my shop details and who designed my book cover (me!) and where I got my photos from. Make sure once your book is live, you remove any preorder information. Sometimes under the blurb area I do add things like coming May 21… So it’s important you remember to remove little things like that.

✔️ File Copyright

This one is important. It protects your work. Some people might not do this, but I always file a copyright. Normally I do it on the day of release, but you can do it beforehand as well. It’s up to you. The best thing to do is check out their website https://www.copyright.gov and get familiar with how to file a copyright. It’s pretty easy to do and they are more than helpful if you have any questions about the process. Most questions can be answered by searching their website.

✔️ Make Media Kit for Website

I’m not sure most authors do this. It certainly isn’t a requirement. I like to do it on the off-chance someone wants to help me spread the word. They’ll have easy access to all the information they need. I upload graphics for my book and all the book’s details, including title, genre, release date, blurb, links to retailers, my social media links, and any other books in the series to a Google Doc. Check out what it looks like on my website for a reference HERE.

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There you go! The final items on my Checklist to Release! I hope all of these were helpful to you in some way. If you ever have any questions, please reach out. I’m more than happy to help you in any way I can. I don’t presume to know all the answers to publishing, and I certainly learn something new all the time.  If you missed the other posts, you can find them here: more info #4, more info #3, more info #2, more info #1, and first post. For the entire Checklist to Release list, you can grab it HERE!

Much ℒℴѵℯ ♡ Amanda Siegrist