Kudos to you for finishing your book! It’s a tremendous effort that is to be commended for sure but don’t celebrate too much yet. There’s still much work to be done.

Here’s the thing about publishing a book: sales don’t just happen. You have to promote your masterpiece, and that starts with a book launch. Here are three key factors to a successful book launch.

Key One: Start Early

The greatest mistake you can make when planning your book launch is waiting too long to get started. The day that you send your book to print is too late to start your launch. The most successful book launches start weeks or even months before your book even hits the shelves.

In a book launch, there are dozens of moving parts to coordinate and leaving them until the last minute is asking for disaster. Instead, give yourself plenty of time for you and your team to plan and execute all that needs to be done, and you’ll enjoy a successful, stress-free book launch.

Related: Five-Step Easy Book Marketing

Key Two: Outsource

Your book launch is not the time to DIY things. You have enough on your plate, just trying to get the book ready for publishing, so let someone else handle some of the details.

If you already have a project manager, this is the time to put her to work. If you have a VA who can step into the role and help coordinate the rest of the team, that’s great as well. But either way, start putting your task list together and get them delegated:

Landing page + Email Capture
A great strategy is to give away the first chapter of your book prior to your publish date to build a buzz (and build your mailing list)

Social media
Teasers on social media are perfect for getting the word out about your upcoming book. Don’t be afraid to “leak” your book cover, create shareable social graphics with quotes, and share your enthusiasm and excitement about your book with your audience.

Reviews
Getting reviews on the book listing is critical to your book’s success, so reach out to beta readers with a review copy of your book, so they have time to read it before you go live with your launch.

Interview schedule
One of the best ways to build a buzz about your book is to be featured by podcasts, blogs, and at live events. Make a list of places for you to be interviewed and begin to reach out and get scheduled.

Blog and email
Don’t forget about your own audience leading up to your launch day. Let them know about your book by blogging about it on your website and keeping them up to date with the progress through email.

Key Three: Have Fun

Having fun is the most important thing you can do during your launch. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and the more fun you have with it, the better and bigger the buzz you’ll build. Step outside your comfort zone to really get others talking about your book.

Facebook events
If ever there were a good reason to schedule a Facebook event, a book launch is definitely it. Consider putting up a live video feed the day of your book launch so you can share your thoughts with your fans.

Make a book trailer
Another type of video that’s well worth the effort for your launch is a book trailer. Just like a movie trailer, this short commercial style video is great for getting the word out about your book. Be sure to post these on all your social media channels, on your website and link to in your email signature. The more eyes that get on your trailer the bigger the buzz your book will have.

Host a book signing event
If you live in or near a big city, or already have a sizable following, consider hosting a live book signing event. A reading, some hors-d’oeuvres, and a few signed books are all it takes, and your fans will love it.

Of course, you don’t have to go to the trouble of launching your book formally at all. But if you do, you’ll enjoy a much better start to your new publishing career. Not only that but done right, book launches are great fun. That’s something you certainly deserve after all your work.