Posts
Step 1: Discover What Is Unique About Your Novel:
For a successful launch, you don’t need unique ingredients. You need a unique recipe.
My recipe is to link my audio novels with the release of mythic heroes in this summer's movies:
THE LONE RANGER. IRON MAN 3. STAR TREK II MAN OF STEEL. WOLVERINE.
Now, onto Step Number Two:
Step 2: Build Anticipation The Right Way
When most people release something new, they often announce it AND release it on the same day…
…As Arnold would say: BIG MISTAKE.
No matter what you release…
You MUST build anticipation.
Why?
1. That anticipation gets people talking about you and your upcoming release.
2. That anticipation gets people to comment on your blog and say “I can’t wait for it.”
(Note: When people commit to something, they like to remain consistent with their publicly declared actions, as originally pointed out by Robert Cialdini’s consistency principle).
3.That anticipation opens what’s known as an information gap, and people can’t wait to fill it.
(When there is a gap between what people know and don’t know, they seek to fill it. This was first discovered by George Loewenstein, and it’s called “information gap theory.“)
How Do You Build That Anticipation?
That’s easy.
You tell people what’s coming, but you’re not too specific about it. You give details, but hold back the real meat.
The reality is this:
Most of your readers don’t read every email or blog post you write.
So, when you break it down into two separate articles (or emails),
you get two chances to grab attention instead of one.
Step 3 ....
You'll have to turn in tomorrow for that.
And just for fans of Hibbs, the Bear With Two Shadows:
Thanks Roland for the tips. I tried building anticipation even a year ahead of time with posts about my upcoming book but there are so many places for viewers to go now-a-days.:)
ReplyDeletegreat advice, once again. i didn't know information gap was a theory. more reading homework...
ReplyDeletethanks for the disney video. i want to see african cats and bears!
The Desert Rocks:
ReplyDeleteYes, there are so many voices crying, "Look at me!"
I believe the trick is to tie your novel to something popular at the time of your novel's release --
which is why I am pointing Sookie Stackhouse (whose last book was released this month) and TRUE BLOOD fans to my haunted New Orleans series --
Also I believe THE LONE RANGER with the Old West and supernatural undertones will whet the appetite for my Samuel McCord adventures.
Also I believe Amazon serials could be what you might look into for your next novel.
Audio Books have fewer books out there: it's easier to stand out from the crowd in a smaller crowd.
I wish you higher sales! :-)
Words Crafter:
Gypsy, my ghost cat, had a snarky remark about my brains and the information gap theory!
I wish Disney's BEAR was coming out this summer!
I'm anticipating seeing the Lone Ranger and Tonto. It sounds like a comic book summer in movies.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to slip in references from one thing to the product you're offering.
D.G.:
ReplyDeleteYes, it does seem like a comic book summer, doesn't it? I like to think of it as mythic hero summer so the kid in me doesn't feel so immature!! :-)
I am trying every trick I can think of to attract attention and interest in my audio books! I'm glad you think it is a good idea!
Very smart! I guess that's why studios advertise movies months before their release. You're great a generating buzz. I think you should be a publicist! :)
ReplyDeleteCeleste:
ReplyDeleteStudios invest hundreds of millions in advertisement, expecting a solid return for their investment -- it occurred to me it might be intelligent to grab hold of their shooting stars! :-)
If my audio books do well, then I have been wise -- if not, then I have been otherwise! LOL.
Thank you for visiting and commenting. If you could help me when THE BEAR WITH TWO SHADOWS comes out, I would love it. :-)
I think I'm the only one anticipating the release of any of my writings, lol. I want to see all three of these movies though.
ReplyDelete......dhole
over the last month... i was able to put four, yes four books together and well...
ReplyDeleteThat's why we start tantalizing early with the cover, the synopsis, book trailers, guest posts, etc.
ReplyDeleteSolid advice, Roland. There sure are a lot of us hawking our wares, though!
ReplyDeleteDonna:
ReplyDeleteI want to see each of those movies as well. :-)
To build anticipation is hard. A short sentence can make people curious though.
Say you describe your short story as "CLOUD ATLAS meets SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE." You will get the interest of some readers and maybe they will begin word of mouth which is truly our best resource.
My latest short story could be described as "CASABLANCA meets THE TWILIGHT ZONE." Someone reading that may look me up to ask when it will come out. You never knows until you try.
Jeremy:
Four? I am impressed. Tell you what: post on THE BEAR WITH TWO SHADOWS Audio book, and I will do a post on one or all four of yours! :-)
Alex:
Exactly. Ah, speaking of guest posts ... could Hibbs lumber over to your blog one day to "voice" his adventures? I, of course, already plan to spotlight your new one when it is released.
Milo:
Yes, there are! That is why we have to find some way to break out of the insular blog neighborhood of authors and onto the wider world of READERS oN the web.