# Campaign Strategy Document: "Whispers in the Dark" Book Launch

## 1. PRODUCT SUMMARY
"Whispers in the Dark" is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller by debut author Jordan Hale, following a neurodivergent detective unraveling a web of family secrets in a remote coastal town. Key selling points: Jaw-dropping twists that redefine trust, a deeply relatable protagonist battling inner demons and external threats, and atmospheric prose perfect for fans of "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides and "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. This debut delivers commercial appeal with emotional resonance, positioning it as the next big BookTok sensation.

## 2. TARGET AUDIENCE
**Primary: BookTok Enthusiasts (Women 18-35)**  
- Platforms: TikTok, Instagram Reels.  
- Purchasing triggers: Viral #BookTok videos, aesthetic mood boards, "one more chapter" hype.  
- Emotional state: Craving escapism, thrill-seeking, FOMO on trending reads.

**Secondary 1: Professional Women in Book Clubs (Women 35-50)**  
- Platforms: Facebook Groups, Goodreads, Email newsletters.  
- Purchasing triggers: Discussion prompts, author Q&As, relatable character arcs.  
- Emotional state: Seeking intellectual stimulation and connection through shared stories.

**Secondary 2: Thriller Fans in Tech/Professional Fields (Men/Women 30-45)**  
- Platforms: LinkedIn, Podcasts (e.g., Crime Junkie).  
- Purchasing triggers: "Smart" psychological intrigue, leadership/intrigue parallels.  
- Emotional state: Stressed from high-pressure jobs, desiring mental puzzles.

## 3. MESSAGING PILLARS
Every piece of content must reinforce **exactly these 3 core messages**:  
1. **Unravel the Unthinkable**: Mind-bending twists that shatter expectations.  
2. **Echoes of the Human Psyche**: Relatable inner turmoil meets high-stakes suspense.  
3. **Your Next Obsession**: Impossible to put down—join the whispers sweeping BookTok.

## 4. CHANNEL PLAN
| Channel | Platform | Content Type | Frequency | Owner Agent |
|---------|----------|--------------|-----------|-------------|
| Visual Social | Instagram/TikTok | Reels/Stories: Teaser clips, aesthetic quotes, author reads, BookTok-style reviews | 5x/week (3 TikTok, 2 IG) | Leo |
| Professional Networking | LinkedIn | Posts: Author insights, thriller leadership parallels, professional endorsements | 3x/week | Maya |
| Warm Audience Nurturing | Email (Klaviyo/Mailchimp) | Newsletters: ARC exclusives, behind-the-scenes, personalized recs | 2x/week during launch, 1x/week post | Zara |
| Credibility Building | Press (PR Newswire, book blogs like CrimeReads) | Releases, guest articles, podcast pitches | 1x/phase | Zara |
| Community Amplification | Goodreads/Facebook Groups (added for secondary audience) | Reviews, Q&As, reading challenges | 4x/week | Leo |

## 5. CAMPAIGN PHASES
**Pre-Launch (2 Weeks Before Release – Build Hype)**  
- Teasers: Cryptic Reels/Stories hinting at twists (Leo).  
- ARC/early access offers: Email to 5K warm list, influencer DMs to 50 micro-influencers (Zara/Leo).  
- Influencer outreach: 20 BookTok creators for ARCs (target 10 partnerships).

**Launch Week (Release Day + 6 Days – Maximize Visibility)**  
- Daily posts across all channels reinforcing pillars (Leo/Maya).  
- Email blast: "Launch Day Deal – 20% off first week" to full list (Zara).  
- Press release to 100 outlets + paid ads ($5K budget on TikTok/IG targeting primaries) (Zara/Maya).  
- Live author IG/TikTok session.

**Post-Launch (Weeks 2-8 – Sustain Momentum)**  
- Reviews amplification: Share user-generated content, run #WhispersChallenge (Leo).  
- Community engagement: Goodreads giveaways, FB group AMAs (Leo).  
- Retargeting ads to site visitors/email openers ($3K budget).

**Long-Term (Months 3-12 – Evergreen Growth)**  
- Evergreen content: "Top Twists" blog series, podcast features (Maya/Zara).  
- Reader community: Exclusive Discord/FB group for superfans (Leo).  
- Backlist marketing: Bundle with author's future releases or similar thrillers.

## 6. SUCCESS METRICS
| KPI | Baseline (Past Campaigns) | Target (This Campaign) |
|-----|---------------------------|------------------------|
| Book Sales (via BookScan/Amazon) | 2K units first month | 10K units first month |
| Social Engagement Rate (Likes/Shares/Comments) | 2-3% | 8%+ on visual posts |
| Email Open/Click Rate | 25% open / 3% click | 40% open / 10% click |

## 7. EXECUTION TASKS
- **Social Media Pack (30 posts: 15 TikTok Reels, 10 IG posts/Stories, 5 LinkedIn)**: Leo  
- **Email Sequence (8 emails: 2 pre-launch, 3 launch week, 3 post-launch)**: Zara  
- **Press Release (1 main + 2 follow-ups)**: Zara  
- **Ad Copy & Creatives (TikTok/IG retargeting sets)**: Maya  
- **Author Bio/Media Kit (PDF with headshots, Q&A, endorsements)**: Maya  
- **Influencer Outreach Tracker & ARC List (50 targets)**: Leo  
- **Review Amplification Graphics (20 templates)**: Leo  
- **Goodreads/FB Group Content Calendar (32 posts)**: Leo  
- **Evergreen Blog Series (6 articles)**: Maya  
- **Overall Timeline & Reporting Dashboard**: Maya