3 Tips to Go from Crowdfunding Success to Book Production
Are you a new author on an incredible journey of mastering the art of crowdfunding and running a campaign? After a crowdfunding campaign, you might be wondering what to do next. Crowdfunding success is only the first step in the journey of bringing your book’s vision to life.
“Crowdfunding is not about collecting money. It’s about making something happen with a crowd of people who believe in something.” – Jozefien Daelemans
The incredible journey isn’t over yet. Next comes the challenge of turning your vision into reality. After you have reached your funding goal, it’s time to make the transition from the crowdfunding campaign to fulfilling your promise to your backers: producing and delivering a book they’ll love. It’s time to move into the exciting world of book production.
This last guide in our crowdfunding success series will help you navigate the transition from your campaign to your book’s production. We share tips and best practices on how to transition from crowdfunding success to book production smoothly and efficiently. We will cover the basics of book production, from editing and design to printing and distribution. Our goal is to help you, a first-time author, navigate the complex and rewarding process of turning your crowdfunding dream into a tangible reality.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Post-Campaign Wrap Up
Once the campaign is over, it’s not quite time to put up your feet. There’s still work to be done. Here are tips to help you make the most of your post-campaign phase.
Update & Thank Your Backers
Keep your backers updated. Your supporters want to know how your project is progressing and when they can expect to receive their rewards. Your backers have supported you on this journey. Show your appreciation.
- Personal Messages: Send a personalized thank you message, showing your gratitude for their support.
- Public Acknowledgment: Consider a public acknowledgment on your website, social media, or in the book itself.
Take Stock of Your Crowdfunding Success
Reflect on your campaign performance.
- Analyze Data: Review your campaign data, and analyze what worked well and what could be improved.
- Feedback: Collect feedback. Your backers are your early adopters and potential advocates for your product or service. Ask them for their opinions, suggestions, and testimonials, and use them to improve your offering and grow your audience. You can also create surveys or polls to gather more data and insights from your backers. Their insights can help improve future campaigns.
- Plan your next steps. Your crowdfunding campaign is not the end of your journey, but the beginning. Think about how you can leverage your success to scale up your business, reach new markets, or launch new products or services. You can also consider running another crowdfunding campaign in the future, if you have a new book idea in need of funding.
Transitioning to Book Production
Your campaign success means it’s time to turn that manuscript into a book.
An author from my writers’ group had a successful campaign but miscalculated the timeline for his reward fulfillment. Picture the chaos: a romantic novelist turned amateur potter, frantically crafting mugs for his beloved backers. So, amidst the laughter (and clay splatters), we learned how planning the post-campaign phase was as crucial as the campaign itself.
Fulfill Your Rewards
Your backers are eagerly waiting. Fulfill your rewards. It’s the most important part of your post-campaign, as it shows your gratitude and credibility to your backers.
- Create a Fulfillment Plan: Plan how and when you will deliver each reward. Make sure you have a clear plan for production, shipping, and delivery of your rewards, and communicate it to your backers. Use a reliable fulfillment service or platform to streamline the process and avoid mistakes. But be sure to account for time and cost.
- Communicate With Your Backers: Keep your backers informed about the process. Send regular updates via email or social media and be transparent about any challenges or delays you encounter. Transparency helps maintain trust.
Produce Your Book
Now, it’s time to bring your book to life. While it can be a rewarding and challenging endeavor, but it also requires some basic steps and skills. For tips on self-editing, see: 12 Self-Editing Techniques to Make Your Manuscript Shine.
- Hire Professionals: If you don’t have the skills, invest in professional editing, design, and formatting services. The quality of your book is a reflection of you as an author.
- Publish Your Book: Choose a platform and a format for your book, whether it is an ebook, a paperback, or a hardcover. You also need to set a price, upload your manuscript and cover files, and distribute your book to various online retailers and platforms. We recommend Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for first-time authors. It’s free and easy to use.
TIP: for more information, request your free copy of our booklet: “Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish?”
From Author to Entrepreneur: Marketing Your Book
With your book in production, it’s time to think about how you’ll get it into readers’ hands. You need to continue promoting your book and reach out to your target audience.
Build Your Author Brand
As an independent author, you’re not just selling a book, but building a brand. Use several strategies to spread the word about your book and generate sales and reviews.
- Website and Social Media: Maintain and grow your online presence. Your website and social media platforms are crucial for promoting your book and connecting with readers.
- Network: Continue to build relationships within the writing community. Your network can lead to collaborative marketing opportunities and increase your visibility.
Develop a Marketing Plan
A strategic marketing plan will ensure your book gets the visibility it deserves. Your marketing plan is a guide for promoting your book. It should include your goals, audience, competitors, and marketing mix. You should implement and evaluate your marketing plan regularly and make changes as needed.
- Target Audience: Understand who your readers are and where you can reach them.
- Promotional Activities: In addition to ideas under “Author Brand,” you could plan book tours, blog tours, social media ad campaigns, email marketing, and press releases. Also consider podcasts, book reviews and other paid ads.
Conclusion: Your Journey Continues
A successful crowdfunding campaign is just the beginning. With your book in production and your marketing plan in motion, you’re on your way to becoming a published author. As you transition from crowdfunding to book production, remember each step, each challenge, and each success is part of your unique writing journey.
You can find the first guide in the crowdfunding series here: Understanding Crowdfunding and Choosing the Best Platform.
We hope you’ve found the transition strategies useful and motivating. We hope they’ll equip you with the insights and tools needed to help you succeed as a new author.
Writing is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go it alone. We’re excited to continue the journey with you, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Our goal is to provide basic insights and practical advice to help you navigate the writing world with increased confidence.
Don’t wait. Start today!
How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing!
FAQs
1. What should I prioritize once my crowdfunding campaign ends successfully?
The first priority should be thanking your backers and keeping them informed about the next steps. Next, focus on fulfilling your rewards and moving into the book production phase. This could mean finalizing your manuscript, hiring editors, designers, and formatters, and choosing your publishing route.
2. How do I ensure the quality of my book during production?
Invest in professional editing, proofreading, design, and formatting. These elements can greatly impact your book’s quality. Hiring professionals ensures your book is polished and professional, enhancing its appeal to readers.
3. How can I effectively fulfill my crowdfunding rewards?
Start by creating a detailed fulfillment plan outlining what needs to be done, who will do it, when it will be done, and how much it will cost. Keep your backers informed about the process and be transparent about any delays or issues.
4. What are some effective ways to market my book post-crowdfunding?
Develop a strategic marketing plan, which could include activities like book tours, blog tours, social media campaigns, email marketing, and press releases. It’s also crucial to continue building your author brand, which includes maintaining a strong online presence and networking within the literary community.
5. How can I use the success of my crowdfunding campaign to attract traditional publishers?
Highlighting the success of your crowdfunding campaign in your query letter or proposal can demonstrate a market interest in your book, which may make traditional publishers more likely to consider your work. Be sure to include key metrics like the number of backers and the amount raised.
