8-Week Launch Timeline
The working version of the countdown covered in The 8-Week Launch Timeline. Tick each week as you clear it.
Launch countdown
Eight weeksWeek –8
Pre-launch setup
- Final manuscript to the editor
- Cover finalised
- ISBN purchased, or platform ISBN decided
- Platform accounts created and verified
Week –6
Production
- Edit returned and reviewed
- Formatting completed
- Files uploaded
- Pre-order set up, if you are using one
Week –4
Review campaign
- ARC copies sent
- Book blogger outreach completed
- NetGalley or BookSirens submission in
- Social teasers begin
Week –2
Final preparations
- Launch content scheduled
- Announcement email drafted
- Analytics tracking set up
- Final quality check on the live listing
Launch week
Execute
- Monday — email your list
- Tuesday — social posts
- Wednesday — communities
- Thursday — follow-ups
- Friday — week-one review
Week +1
Post-launch
- Thank supporters
- Analyse performance
- Document the lessons
- Begin the next book
Launch Expectations by Audience Size
- No Audience (0–100) — Realistic: 5–20 copies in month 1. Focus: Building foundation for next book. Strategy: Soft launch — learn from the experience. Treat this as education.
- Small Audience (100–1,000) — Realistic: 20–100 copies in month 1. Focus: Engaging existing community. Strategy: Personal outreach and community involvement — convert followers to reviewers.
- Medium Audience (1,000+ people) — Realistic: 100+ copies in month 1. Focus: Leveraging platform for maximum reach. Strategy: Coordinated campaign across all active channels.