Optimism & Assertiveness Aren’t Enough to Promote Your Book

Being optimistic, confident, aggressive, intelligent, people savvy, and a great communicator make for the resume of a very good book publicist. But could these abilities also handicap one from being successful?

Before you say: What are you talking about? think of why these traits may burden promoters and even work against them.

First, because one has confidence and optimism, this person may not work as hard at obtaining all of the information and resources he may need to make his efforts a success. Think about it. If your attitude is so positive to the point it blinds you from the real drawbacks or challenges attached to what you are promoting, you will over-rely on one skill but underserve your client as a result.

Second, you may be good with words, but you can’t always put lipstick on a pig. Sometimes you need to work harder at showing the merits behind what you push and not to just push as if what you have is the best beyond belief.

Third, you can be assertive or aggressive but it only gets you so far if there’s no depth or substance to what you are pitching. Make sure you have the meat to support the sizzle.

Fourth, knowing how to deal with people is an invaluable skill, but again, people will still need to see something behind the beautiful façade of what you present.

Whatever skills and strengths you have, you’ll lean heavily on them in order to get what you want out of life, and especially as a book promoter. But look beyond your assets and see what else you can learn, do, say, or share that will make you better and position you for success.

Many promoters think about what they have to offer and how they’ll present it but they don’t make enough effort to give ammunition to their claims. Catchy subject lines get emails opened by the media, but then you need some ideas that can be delivered with backup and support.

Seeing opportunity everywhere is a beautiful skill and frame of mind to operate under. But just remember to bring along the facts and figures to give shape and meaning to your claims and assertions. Do your research, practice, and explore things further.

A pretty face gets you a date, but not a marriage proposal—and an attention-getting solicitation to the media gets them to listen, but make sure you really have something to say!

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, Media Connect, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2014