You've just stepped out of the shower. Your robe is in the bedroom; the phone rings in the livingroom. You wrap a towel around yourself and run to grab it -- and a voice on the other end of the line asks if this would be a good time for an interview! What do you do? Be Prepared As a writer, you're probably accustomed to interviewing others. However, if you've published a … [Read more...]
Radio PR Secrets
The worst thing you can tell a radio talk show host when answering her question is “It’s in my book.” “I have found that some authors are reluctant to share the meat of their book with their listeners, hoping the listener will run out and buy the book,” says KTKK Radio host Linda Strasburg. “The outcome is usually the opposite. When an author doesn’t share some of his or … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Make Your Book Pitch Stand Out So Your Book Gets Free Publicity
Ellen Reid Smith writes books about cowgirls (Cowgirl Smarts: How to Rope a Kick-Ass Life) that have some western humor where she uses a western kitch language to lighten the subject matter. She asked me: Should authors avoid the language their book is written in and stay very formal and straight in a media pitch, or should they let the playful personality of a … [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...]
Use Breaking News to Get Free Publicity for Your Book
If today’s headlines have any relevance to your book, then you could be in for a gold mine of free publicity! That’s because reporters are always looking to interview authorities when a story breaks. If reporters know about you, there’s a good chance you could be interviewed on TV or appear in news stories. This is phenomenal publicity for your book because reporters will … [Read more...]
Pitching Reporters: What Not To Do
Reporters need ideas from you to write their stories. But there is a right way and a wrong way to pitch your story. Here are a few tips on what not to do. Don’t even think of breaking these rules if you want to get published. Don’t assume they have all the time in the world to talk to you. They don’t. They are always busy. Don’t assume they want to hear new pitches. … [Read more...]
How to Measure the Effect of Press Releases
All people and all companies who want to see their names in print come to the realization that there’s more to publicity than seeing your face in the newspaper. Getting publicity is great for your ego, but what about the ROI of publicity? After all, there is no such thing as free publicity. You have to spend time and or money to get publicity – and that expense has to be … [Read more...]
Four Free Self Marketing Tips You Cannot Afford to Ignore
When it comes to marketing your book, self marketing can be confusing and a lot of work. But the truth is that you really need to do self marketing because no one else is likely to do it for you. I have done some research into self marketing techniques, and I was surprised at how many of them can be done at no cost to the author except for their time. I compiled them into this … [Read more...]
One Of The Biggest Problems People Have When They Try To Get Publicity
If right this minute someone asked you what type of business you're in and what you do for your customers, could you tell them in 10 seconds or less? If not, you're probably in trouble. So many people think that getting publicity is as simple as sending out a press release. Sorry, Scooter, it's not that easy. When you send out your press release, you're conveying a lot of … [Read more...]
A Book Publicity Campaign is Only as Good as the Author’s Responsiveness
The inspiration for this article came from one of our current authors, Susan. She is a highly credentialed, successful businesswomen. In a conversation last week about plans for the next stage of her campaign, I thanked her for all her hard work. Her quick answers to her publicist’s questions, willingness to do all media interviews and bylined articles offered to her, and her … [Read more...]