Three Reasons Book Launches Now Require Preorders

Here are three reasons book launches now require preorders, plus book launches you can join now, and news about my book launch services.

Three Reasons Book Launches Now Require Preorders

You may remember pre-pandemic days when you could join a book launch and not be required to purchase the book. You got a PDF to read and were expected to leave an Amazon review.

For the most part, those days are over. But I believe this is good.

Here are 3 reasons book launches that publishers big and small now require preorders:

1) Amazon has cracked down on false reviews. This is actually good for all of us, because we want legitimate reviews, right?
We used to have to say “I received a preview copy” in our reviews, and now Amazon cracks down even on phrases like that.
However, when you purchase a book on Amazon and then leave a review, it shows up as a verified purchase, which shows legitimacy. It is also approved faster by Amazon.
As a book launch manager, I believe Amazon reviews are the most important part of a book launch so the book will continue to sell itself. So this new point is very important.

2) Preorders rev the algorithm and also stock Amazon with a good amount of books. You’ll be less likely to run out of books the first week on Amazon if you have a decent amount of preorders, which you can get through social media shares of your launch team.

3) Here’s a very practical reason: when people get something for free, they don’t value it. This is why publishers no longer allow 300 people to sign up for a team for free, because less than 100 people would leave a review.
Even if you only pay $2.99 for the Kindle version, you have some skin in the game. You will value it more and be more inclined to leave a review. It’s simple psychology that applies to many areas of life, including book launches.

Yes, it’s still standard practice to offer the PDF as a backup, but only to people who have preordered the book.

Indie authors have a great opportunity – you can release your low-priced Kindle version first so you have verified purchases from your team and more sales, and release the paperback later in the launch.

Want more expert advice on book launches? Book a call with me HERE. I’d love to work with you on your book launch!

Right now I’m running two launch teams – one for a fiction book, and one for a non-fiction book. I have several more launches coming up in June/July, and they would be great ways for you to serve!

You can learn more and sign up HERE.

Any questions? Please let me know in the comments.

Are You Writing a Book?

If you’re writing a book and looking for help with your book launch, talk to me HERE. I have several options including coaching, a DIY course, and traditional book launch packages.

Check out my new marketing resource for Christian authors HERE.

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