With over 3,000 blog
posts about book marketing published in the past 7+ years, you would think I
will run out of something to say about book publicity. But there’s always something I can tell you
that will help you raise your media profile, build your brand, and influence
others with your empowering message. Why
am I so confident about that?
Well, some things
change over time and even what I wrote five years ago may not prove to be as
effective today. Conversely, sometimes
writers need reminders about proven, timeless strategies so that they don’t get
falsely swayed by the shiny new toy in the room.
But I think there’s
always advice to be given out because people are in need of it. Until everyone’s
a best-selling author (impossible), there will always be a need for some
experienced PR professional to share his wisdom.
I will always offer a
thought, idea, experience, or question that will be of value because I
understand how authors think and what they need or desire. All writers want an edge over others. They desperately crave a shortcut to
marketing success. They feel entitled to
break through, but they just can’t seem to crack the book publicity code.
Another reason I
never run out of something to say is because I know many writers are eager to
learn and improve as book promoters, and I don’t want to let them down.
However, great book marketing really comes down to a handful of truisms,
including these:
·
You
need to be in it, to win it. Every day
get out there and promote your book and market yourself. No excuses!
·
Book
publicity is a team sport. Aside from
your efforts, seek a contribution from your publisher (if one exists) and hire
others to help you.
·
Prioritize
your efforts amongst the key staples: social
media, speaking, traditional media, direct marketing, advertising, and
networking.
·
Don’t
demand or expect success – you must earn it.
Go out there and take what you think is yours, but don’t just expect it
to come to you.
·
Give
people something – advice, support, ideas, encouragement, resources, hope – and
let others see you as a value-provider.
·
Allow
people to test your book – give them free samples or cool resources that allows
others to see the quality of your writing, the styles of your content, and the
voice that you speak from.
·
Ask
others for help. Start with friends,
family, colleagues, neighbors – and their friends, family, colleagues and
neighbors. Ask for something specific –
to post a positive review on a specific site by a set date; to buy the book on
a specific date; to introduce you to more readers; to pull strings to invite
you to speak somewhere; to connect you to people who can help you in a
particular capacity.
·
Have
a book marketing, plan – with a timeline, goals and action steps.
·
Be
willing to take a risk, to take an opportunity and turn it into
a big win.
·
Approach
all of your publicity from the perspective that you are here to help others
with your book. Good things come when
you operate from good intentions.
DON”T MISS THESE!!!
Study this exclusive author media
training video from T J Walker
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