Follow-up is important when dealing with media, bookstores, and others who can help you to sell more books. Here are some tips on how to effectively follow-up on sales pitches, press releases, speaking proposals and other book marketing activities. Schedule a regular time each day to follow up, say each morning when you start working. Make following up a part of your daily … [Read more...]
PR Rule of Seven
In public relations, there is a rule called “the Rule of Seven,” which also applies to following up. According to the rule, it takes seven steps, calls or emails, to actually get a booking. Expect six no’s before you get a yes – - – or, after seven attempts, you may never get a yes and have to move on. Whenever they say no, be gracious. A no may be no for now, but not forever. … [Read more...]
Rules to the PR Game
The term “public relations” consists of two words, “public” and “relations.” Relations with the public are publicists’ inventories. Relationships are the most valuable assets in publicists’ portfolios. The most valuable relationships are those with the media because they in turn produce relationships with the greater public. And by media we mean both the traditional … [Read more...]
Five Factors to Consider Before Engaging a Publicity Firm
Your book is ready (or almost ready), final editing touches are completed, and you're ready for people to learn about your book...now what? The hard truth is that without publicity and promotion, virtually no one will ever know your book exists. If you're a self-promoter or a publisher with some in-house expertise and have the time and resources, it is possible to successfully … [Read more...]
16 Sweet Reasons Talk Radio is a Great Way to Promote a Book, Product or Message
Radio is one of the most effective marketing tools for those who want to reach both mass-market and targeted audiences. Talk radio is even more effective but often less appreciated by those with a message to sell to American consumers. Morning and afternoon radio talk shows are tuned in most by persons driving to and from work – persons not only with money but with money to … [Read more...]
Special People Have Special PR Needs
Entrepreneurs and authors with special needs share the same compelling desire to tell their story to a waiting public as do our other clients. A publicist must be flexible and patient to be successful in conveying to specified markets the success story of people with special needs. Isn’t it really the special task of all PR professionals to tell the stories of people who cannot … [Read more...]
Monthly Retainers VS. Pay For Placement for Public Relations Services
Potential clients will on occasion request an alternative payment arrangement other than the typical retainer fee arrangement most PR firms including Westwind Communications require. I could discuss all day the various payment options offered for PR services such as “pay for placement,” “hourly fee” or “retainer fee”. In a nut shell, the retainer fee allows the client to … [Read more...]
6 Tips for Out of the Box Marketing & PR
1. Become, for all practical purposes, a stalker. If you're trying to get you or your client noticed by a large television show, do as much research possible on the person you're trying to contact. Find out who they really are: Google their name Find any organizations they belong to Research the type of shows they produced in the past (IMDB) Read the articles … [Read more...]
Before Oprah – 5 Tips for PR Professionals Who’ve Struck Gold
The following is for hard working PR professionals and those who strive to promote their own work. When that golden day comes, and a producer or journalist calls you and says, "you're going to be on the XYZ show," or "you're going to be featured in XYZ," it pays to be ready with the appropriate media materials, and followup plan... but for those initial moments of utter joy … [Read more...]
21 Ways to Get Publicity and Increase Sales!
Do you know what made Dr. Phil famous? It was his weekly appearances on Oprah. Was he the world's smartest psychologist? Is he the most handsome? I don't think so. So, why is Dr. Phil rich and famous...and not you? It's because of publicity. Publicity is one of the most powerful forms of advertising. Reporters are constantly on the lookout for products, … [Read more...]