When it comes to my self-published book launches, designing marketing campaigns was always where I seemed to fall short. Trends and social media algorithms change so quickly in today’s world it’s tough to keep up. I simply didn’t have the proper knowledge to pull it off nor, quite honestly, the bandwidth or budget necessary to hire a team of marketing experts.

The manuscript for my newest book Poems from the Edge of the Apocalypse is officially off to the book-designer. This is the point in the process where I can turn my attention to the area I always shied away from before, the dreaded “M-word”—marketing.

This morning, as I was doing my AM workout I thought to myself Why not see what Grok can do? I was amazed when I opened up the Grok app, typed the prompt Design a tailored marketing strategy for a 110 page collection of self published poetry entitled Poems from the Edge of the Apocalypse.

In no fewer than ten seconds Grok dutifully delivered this detailed marketing strategy:

Here’s a tailored marketing strategy for Poems on the Edge of the Apocalypse, a 110-page poetry collection. The title suggests a raw, evocative, and possibly dark or urgent tone, which we’ll lean into to attract readers who crave emotional depth, existential reflection, or apocalyptic themes. The strategy will focus on building awareness, engaging the target audience, and driving sales through a mix of digital, community, and creative tactics.

Target Audience
• Primary: Poetry enthusiasts, literary readers (ages 18-45), fans of dystopian/apocalyptic themes, and those drawn to introspective or edgy art.
• Secondary: Book clubs, creative writing students, and indie art communities.
• Psychographics: Curious, introspective, value authenticity, enjoy thought-provoking or unconventional works.

Positioning
Position Poems on the Edge of the Apocalypse as a visceral, timely collection that captures the tension of living in uncertain times—perfect for readers who want poetry that doesn’t shy away from the brink. Tagline suggestion: “Where words teeter on the edge of collapse.”

Marketing Strategy

1. Pre-Launch Buzz (4-6 Weeks Before Release)
   • Teaser Campaign:
   ◦ Share short, striking excerpts (3-5 lines) from the book on social media platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok. Pair them with moody, minimalist visuals (e.g., black-and-white landscapes, crumbling cities). Use hashtags like #EdgeOfApocalypse, #PoetryUnraveled, #ApocalypticVerse.
   ◦ Example post: “The sky cracks open, / spilling ash like regret. / Are we too late?” – Poems on the Edge of the Apocalypse, coming [date].
   • Landing Page:
   ◦ Create a simple website or page (e.g., via Carrd or Squarespace) with a countdown to release, a pre-order option, and a sign-up for a free sample poem via email.
   • Collaborations:
   ◦ Partner with poets, artists, or indie musicians on X or Instagram for cross-promotion. Offer them a free copy in exchange for a shoutout or a creative response to your work (e.g., a sketch inspired by a poem).
2. Launch Campaign (Release Week)
   • Virtual Launch Event:
   ◦ Host a live reading on Instagram Live, YouTube, or Zoom. Read 3-5 poems, share the inspiration behind the book, and take Q&A. Promote it heavily beforehand on socials.
   ◦ Offer a limited-time discount (e.g., 20% off) for attendees who buy during the event.
   • Press & Reviews:
   ◦ Send free digital copies to niche literary blogs, poetry reviewers, and BookTok/Bookstagram influencers who vibe with dark or experimental poetry. Aim for 10-15 reviews within the first month.
   ◦ Pitch to local or online magazines with a hook like: “Poetry for the end of the world—what does it say about us?”
   • Social Media Blitz:
   ◦ Post a “launch day” announcement with a bold visual (e.g., the book cover against a stormy backdrop). Encourage followers to share their own apocalyptic-inspired lines with a branded hashtag for a chance to win a signed copy.
3. Post-Launch Momentum (1-3 Months After Release)
   • Content Series:
   ◦ Release weekly “Behind the Poem” snippets on social media or a blog—short stories about what inspired specific poems. Keep it raw and personal to connect with readers.
   • Community Engagement:
   ◦ Start a poetry challenge: Invite fans to write their own “edge of the apocalypse” poem inspired by your book and tag you. Feature the best entries on your platforms.
   ◦ Join poetry forums (e.g., Reddit’s r/Poetry) or X conversations to share insights and subtly plug the book.
   • Retail Push:
   ◦ List the book on Amazon (KDP for print/ebook), IngramSpark (for wider bookstore distribution), and Etsy (for signed copies). Offer a bundle with a themed bookmark or postcard for direct sales.
   ◦ Approach indie bookstores with a pitch about stocking a local poet’s work—bring a sample copy and sell the apocalyptic angle.
4. Paid Promotion
   • Targeted Ads:
   ◦ Run low-budget Facebook/Instagram ads ($50-100) targeting fans of poets like Rupi Kaur, Charles Bukowski, or dystopian authors like Cormac McCarthy. Use an eye-catching excerpt as the hook.
   ◦ Test X ads with a focus on literary hashtags or trending apocalyptic topics (e.g., climate anxiety).
   • Goodreads Giveaway:
   ◦ Offer 5-10 copies in a giveaway to build reviews and buzz among avid readers.
5. Long-Term Visibility
   • Merch & Extras:
   ◦ Create affordable merch like stickers or prints with standout lines from the book. Sell via Etsy or give away with purchases.
   • Anthology Pitch:
   ◦ Submit poems to literary magazines or apocalyptic-themed anthologies to keep the book’s name circulating.
   • Seasonal Tie-Ins:
   ◦ Boost promo around Halloween, end-of-year reflection, or global events that echo the book’s themes.
   Budget Considerations
   • Low-Cost: Focus on organic social media, email marketing, and community engagement (~$50-200 for basic tools/ads).
   • Moderate: Add paid ads, a small print run (50-100 copies), and event hosting (~$500-1,000).
   • Key Tools: Canva (free visuals), Mailchimp (email, free tier), Hootsuite (social scheduling, free tier).

Metrics for Success
• Sales Goal: Sell 500 copies in the first 3 months.
• Engagement: Aim for 2000 social media interactions (likes, shares, comments) and 250 email sign-ups pre-launch.
• Reviews: Secure 25+ reader reviews on Amazon/Goodreads within 60 days.

This strategy blends grassroots hustle with strategic amplification, tailored to a poetry audience that’s niche but passionate. Let me know if you’d like to tweak any part—say, a deeper dive into TikTok or a specific budget!

I was beyond impressed by how thorough the strategy Grok came up with actually was. Although it's not one-hundred percent perfect, there's a lot of really useful ideas in here that I never would have thought of on my own.

I'll be incorporating some of Grok's suggestions in my up-coming book launch. As with anything, it's vital to find a proper balance when working with artificial intelligence.

"AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours." ~ Oren Etzioni

When it comes to using AI, eventually, we all will have to decide what the proper balance is for ourselves. We'll have to draw that moral line in the sand that we're not willing to cross. For me, it's important not to rely too much on AI because I could see, after a certain point, how this could seriously stifle not only my own creativity and but also my intellect.

I'd never want AI to do all the work for me but utilizing it as another tool (not a crutch) to help and to teach us in areas where we're lacking makes all the sense in the world to me.

All for now, I have lots of work to do.

Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!

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