Soft Launch vs Hard Launch
| Soft Launch | Hard Launch | |
|---|---|---|
| When to use | No audience, first book | Established audience, series |
| Effort level | Low — release quietly | High — coordinated campaign |
| Risk | Low — no expectations | Higher — plan must execute |
| Key focus | Learning + metadata | Momentum + reviews |
What Launches Rarely Achieve
Avoid
- Avoid: Instant bestseller status — most build over months
- Avoid: Viral success — unpredictable, cannot be manufactured
- Avoid: Long-term sales guarantee — launch momentum must be sustained
Launch Scenarios by Audience
- No Audience (0–100 people) — Realistic: 5–20 copies in month 1. Strategy: soft launch, perfect metadata, start building for your next book.
- Small Audience (100–1,000 people) — Realistic: 20–100 copies in month 1. Strategy: coordinated soft launch, maximise existing relationships, convert followers to readers.
- Medium Audience (1,000+ / Substack / TikTok) — Realistic: 100–500 copies in month 1. Strategy: hard launch, platform-specific content, cross-platform promotion, sustain post-launch.
Related
Article