Is Your Book Newsworthy?

To promote your book to the news media, you need to issue press releases and pitches to the media that get their attention.  What can you do or say that sounds newsworthy?

The media loves what they believe their readers, listeners, or viewers are interested in.  Ask yourself:

How can I say something that appeals to the demographics, voice or style of that media outlet?

Is there a fresh spin I can put on an old idea?

Does my story have a seasonal, holiday, or anniversary tie-in?

Did I receive an award or major recognition?

Many topics can be newsworthy, though any of the following may or may not be strong enough to get the media’s attention:

1.      Announce a new product or service such as a book.

2.      Reveal interesting trends and insights.

3.       Make tie-ins to current events and things in the news.

4.      Share weird, strange or odd news.

5.      Release the findings of a new study, poll or research.

6.      Make a significant charitable contribution.

7.      Announce a major partnership with a business, organization, celebrity, or government agency.

8.      Offer free, useful and important information, such as a white paper.

9.      Celebrate a significant milestone.

10.  File or respond to a strange or important lawsuit.

11.  Expose a scam or reveal a secret.

12.  Host a major contest, giveaway, or sweepstakes.

13.  Make an outrageous claim, challenge, or demand.

14.  Make bold predictions.

15.  Sponsor an event.

16.  Announce a media appearance.

17.  Share an inspirational story of overcoming a major challenge.

18.  Host an event, seminar, or webinar.

19.  Announce a major hire or fire.

20.  Develop a new technology, product, service or procedure that helps people.

21.  Establish a scholarship.

22.  Receive endorsements from famous people.

23.  Speak at a conference or event.

24.  Debunk common myths or lies.

25.  Taking your company public.

26.  File for or be awarded a patent.

27.  Exhibiting at a trade show.

Are there certain things that tend to get the media’s attention?

·         Sex.

·         Money.

·         Politics.

·         Life.

·         Death.

·         Celebrities.

·         Sports.

·         Entertainment.

Tie your book into something the media cares about.  Play on emotions, such as fear (Ebola), beauty (images of attractive people), or anger (is it time to fire your abusive husband).  Choose your words carefully.  Say what you need to say in a way that makes a demand, or a command or a question or a discovery.  Whatever you do, don’t state the obvious, or be neutral or merely state facts.  Tell a story – and make it so interesting that they can’t refuse you.

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