Soft Launch versus Full Distribution

I know I covered this before, but I want to suss out the pros and cons.

The benefits to the Soft Launch is that I have control over who can see my book, post about my book, and review my book prior to an actual launch. Right now, in Covid times, I think this may be my best option. I cannot go do signings and travel to the city to do events. Events are limited to online, for the most part. If I could get five to ten people to read and review my book, that already starts the conversation, right?

Even a post on Instagram by a popular bookstagrammer, or a review by someone with lots of followers on Goodreads would be really helpful. This is something I can manage with Covid.

However, I would be putting off my full launch and relying on people to actually read the book in order to leave a review.

I could, though, do giveaways in this time as well.

So the pros would be promotions, generating interest/need/want/demand/whatever and the cons would be delay in launch, a small fee to change over to full distribution after the soft launch, and possibly waiting on people/relying on others.

The Full Distribution option means I can have my book on all avenues immediately. The moment I hit "Yup approved", it is on Ingram, it can be available in book stores, EBook form, etc... Out there. Ready for reading by all.

As someone with a full time job and NOT a whole lot of time to market (I heard once that someone who self publishes doesn't write for a living, they market for a living), this is both and easy option, but one I think might end up having the book getting lost. I will still probably market as much as if it were a soft launch, though. So I don't think there is a big difference there.

What option do you think is best?

And are you interested in a free copy (assuming I do the soft launch) in exchange for a review on Goodreads (or perhaps Instagram, but that's not the best avenue for reviews, but it is good for sharing covers and generating interest nonetheless).

Oh, also, if you are able, please follow me on my Social Media platforms! I have Instagram (where I update regularly), a Facebook page (where more personal things are shared, and likely where I will share more information about the book and launch stuff!), and a Goodreads account. The Linktree link added will lead you to all these!! I appreciate every follow, like, etc!