Print sales were up in 2015, self-published authors continued their ongoing momentum, and quirky trends like adult coloring books had a surprising industry effect. So what does 2016 have in store? Here are my ten book marketing and publishing industry predictions for the year ahead. … [Read more...]
“GUARANTEE”: The Most Controversial Word in Book Marketing
Authors unfamiliar with book marketing are often surprised when a publicist tells them that nothing is guaranteed when it comes media coverage and book sales. I understand why they’re surprised and disappointed. An author is going to pay for services but be promised nothing in terms of results? If I wasn’t in the industry, I’d probably be confused and surprised too. … [Read more...]
The Changing Media Landscape: Bad News for Authors and Book Publicists?
Many believe the printed newspaper is dying a slow, painful, inevitable death. Since 2008, the presses at hundreds of newspapers have stopped forever. Many venerable print magazines have closed their doors. After 32 years of publishing Southern Accents, Time. Inc. shut it down. Ziff Davis stopped publishing PC Magazine after 27 years, and Conde Nast closed the doors on Gourmet … [Read more...]
What a Six Year Old Can Teach You About Book Marketing
I’ve been in the book publicity and book marketing field a long time, and Smith Publicity has worked with over 1600 authors. I also have a six year-old, and he’s actually taught me some things about book promotion. I’m quite certain he had no idea he was teaching me about a business I’ve been in for eighteen years, but nevertheless, I have learned from him, and here’s … [Read more...]
How to Use Publicity Once You Have It: 7 Tips to Make the Most of Your Media Exposure
In book publicity, it's tempting to wait for publicity to "do its thing." After all, your book has been featured in newspapers and magazines, you've been interviewed on countless radio programs, appeared on TV, and even enjoyed some glowing published reviews. Now, you might think, it's time to sit back and watch the book sales rack up and your book rocket in popularity. But, … [Read more...]
Social Media Versus Traditional Book Marketing
Social media, it seems, is everywhere and part of everything. You can’t get away from it even if you try. It’s no different when it comes to book marketing; social media is all the buzz in the publicity trade. Experts will tell authors they must engage in a robust social media program to promote a book, and still others will say that social media is the only way to promote a … [Read more...]
The 5 Most Important Things Authors Should Know About Book Publicity and Promotion
The publishing industry is in the midst of a revolution. Thanks to independent publishing, more books than ever are released every day. No longer do a small number of literary gatekeepers at major publishing houses determine what will reach the market. It is indeed the best of times for authors, and yet many encounter frustration and disappointment after their book is written. … [Read more...]
Fictional Promotion…How to Get REAL Broadcast Publicity for Your Make-Believe Book
Talk to any book publicist, and you’ll hear the same thing: Getting broadcast publicity for a self-published or mid-list novel is at best challenging, and often nearly impossible. Unless your last name is Clancy, King or Rowling, chances are slim a radio or TV program is going to want you on the air to talk about your book. The reason is simple: Good interviews are usually … [Read more...]
Book Marketing and Book Publicity: Why a Book’s Subtitle is So Important
Authors often agonize when creating the main title for their book. Some high-profile authors pay thousands and thousands of dollars to experts just to come up with a catchy main title. But when it comes to book marketing of nonfiction books, the subtitle is the most important element. A book's main title is designed to make an impact, catch attention, and pique interest. … [Read more...]
Book Marketing and Book Publicity: 5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Book Publicist Be More Effective
Authors hire publicists to promote their books, and often pay them well. So why should an author help a publicist do his job? The simple answer is: Because book marketing and book publicity is a very personal business; one in which emotions matter and meaningful communication can make the difference between a successful book promotion campaign and a mediocre or poor one. The … [Read more...]