Pat Flynn talked about "Lessons learned from my first book launch (and behind the scenes look at my brand new book project)".
His first book was written after he'd been laid off. Let Go is about his journey from losing his job to becoming an entrepreneur. It was easy to write, because it was about his personal experience.
He has a blog and a podcast, among other things, and is currently writing the first book of a series. Each book will be based on a specific problem and very specific solutions. There will also be courses available for each book.
He spoke quite a bit about the writing process and said a couple of interesting things. He's had to control his urge to constantly edit what he's writing, because a lot of interesting things are lost when the writing sequence is interrupted. Some people even take the delete key off their keyboards!!! [How funny!! I'd never heard of this!]
What kind of a marketing strategy is he going to use? Pat believes that whether it's a new podcast, blog or book that's being launched, you should create an event, make a big deal out of the launch. So he intends to use different means to convey the message:
- email marketing
- live stream parties in a Hangout, for example, and have people who were mentioned in the book as guests
- video promotions with high-value content
- a weeklong promotion with contests
- keep people updated of where the book is in the rankings
- have an "ambassador list", a group of people from his list who love his work and will help him in the pre-launch phase by reading his book, leaving reviews and later sharing the book with their friends
- his blog, podcast and platform.
[Great ideas, but I think that you already need to have some sort of a structure and team in place to help out, as Pat does. However, a first timer can use an idea or two.]
Parting advice for people starting out on a first book: get somebody to hold you accountable on a regular basis. It can be a friend who helps keep you on track every week, for example. [This is the first time I've heard this type of advice, but couldn't agree more, especially if you aren't a disciplined person.]
Thanks, Pat, for an interesting interview! And thanks, Chandler!