Using Facebook to Generate Pre-Launch Excitement

Written Under Fire: Baltimore Sun Correspondents' from Normandy to the German Surrender is a 264-page paperback book published by The Baltimore Sun. I owned this project and worked on it from start to finish. My responsibilities included researching photos and microfilm libraries, selecting photos and articles, typing the articles and organizing them to create the narrative, working side-by-side with a designer and overseeing the design and scheduling of all marketing and promotional materials, seeking-out and closing trade agreements for the promotion of the book with outside organizations (i.e. The World War II Foundation, War History Online and the local VFWs and American Legions) selling the product online and taking customer's phone orders, and overseeing a fulfillment clerk responsible for the shipment of each order.

Prior to launch and before I started promoting WUF in The Baltimore Sun's 30-print publications I ran the following facebook ads to build up hype.

April 15, 2014 - "Written Under Fire" - a new book from The Baltimore Sun about Maryland soldiers in World War II. On sale May 6. Learn more about the book http://baltimoresunstore.com/writtenunderfire

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Caption: McCARDELL ALONG AS THE OLD MAN LEADS JOES OF THE 313th INTO CHERBOURG - YANKS BLAST PILLBOX -- American anti-tank platoon works its gun at point-blank range as it reduces a German strong point in the fighting that led to the capture of the port of Cherbourg. Photo by Lee McCardell.

April 15, 2014 - Holbrook Bradley was a Baltimore Sun War Correspondent during World War II. Learn more about him: http://baltimoresunstore.com/writtenunderfire/correspondents

April 17, 2014 - Lee McCardell was a Baltimore Sun War Correspondent during World War II. Learn more about him: http://baltimoresunstore.com/writtenunderfire/correspondent

April 21, 2014 - Share the official "Written Under Fire" book cover with your friends.

April 22, 2014 - Maryland Rangers are seen here training for the invasion of occupied Europe somewhere in England. Click here and scroll down to explore the gallery: http://tinyurl.com/kfetu6g

"Written Under Fire" goes on sale May 6.

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April 23, 2014 - We had some fun this morning playing around with colors in Adobe PhotoShop. "Written Under Fire" goes on sale May 6.

May 1, 2014 - Five days until the story begins. http://tinyurl.com/mix7yjs

Caption: AT SEA WITH McCARDELL - BALTIMORE OFFICERS -- Major William J. Witte, Captain Richard C. Hoffman 3d and Captain Robert J. Slingluff enjoy sunshine on deck as transport moves through calm seas. Officers and men alike wore life preservers during most of the trip to England. Photo by Lee McCardell.

May 2, 2014 - Four days until the story begins. http://tinyurl.com/mix7yjs

Caption: ALL ASHORE: A view of Maryland troops stepping on English soil. Toting gear and rifles and wearing helmets, the men file down a gangplank from a lighter at British port of debarkation in the rain. Note British officer at right of photo. Photo by Lee McCardell.

May 3, 2014 - Three days until the story begins. http://tinyurl.com/mix7yjs

Caption: MARYLAND RANGERS -- IN SCOTLAND - TOUGHENING UP -- By way of developing arm and shoulder muscles and toughening the hands, Rangers go through exercises like this every day. Photo by Lee McCardell.

May 4, 2014 - Two days until the story begins. http://tinyurl.com/mix7yjs

Caption: BLUE AND GRAY troops board an LST en route for the French coastline for the invasion of Europe. Photo by Holbrook Bradley.

May 5, 2014 - One more day until the story begins. http://tinyurl.com/mix7yjs

Caption: DRAWING CLOSE TO THE SHORE OF FRANCE -- The eyes of the 29th men on this invasion craft are on the Normandy beach which they are approaching and over which hangs a cloud of smoke created by exploding Allied projectiles. Photo by Holbrook Bradley.

May 6, 2014 - BREAKING: ON SALE TODAY - The voices of Baltimore Sun World War II correspondents sound off in "Written Under Fire." The book is filled with dispatches and photos from hot spots such as D-Day in Normandy, Brittany, Holland Fort Driant, Metz, Saar, Bastogne, Ardennes, Julich, Munchen-Gladbach, the Roer and Rhine Rivers, Neunburg, the Elbe and Reims.

Buy your copy @ http://tinyurl.com/mix7yjs

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