Authors
hear a lot of advice on what to do - or not – when it comes to book
publicity. Below are several myths
debunked:
Myth
1: The media is shrinking.
No,
it is actually expanding. Just redefine
“media.” If you mean the number of
newspapers, you’re right, it’s decreasing.
But the number of media outlets is expanding when you add in news media
web sites. And if you throw in social
media’s ability to amplify the media – through tweets, FB posts, podcasts, video, and
blogs – it has exploded!
Myth
2: All you need is coverage at a few big media
outlets and you’re set.
The
news media is huge and diverse. People
can get a message through multiple sources and forms of media. But no one media outlet, short of maybe The New York Times, can truly make or
break someone. Authors need to get
exposure in many outlets across all mediums -- radio, television, online, and
print – in order to break through the clutter.
Myth
3: The media needs you
No,
they don’t. They have more than enough
to cover – books, movies, sports, politics, news, crime, accidents, weather,
celebrities. They may have airtime or
space to fill but it doesn’t mean they need you. Show them why they should want you.
Myth
4: You need to get at least 30 reviews to be
noticed.
Book
reviews are more about quality, than quantity – and who says what is
important. A respected book review
publication is more valuable than what a random customer says. But authors should focus on media coverage
overall – not just a certain number of book reviews. Getting praise in a radio interview, podcast,
or a TV segment is more important than hitting some made-up benchmark for book
reviews.
Myth
5:
If you’re not a best-selling author, you can’t get a lot of publicity.
Having
promoted numerous best-selling authors I can tell you that it opens the door to
media coverage when you have a name, but it still doesn’t guarantee
anything. The media outlet still has to
see you as being the right fit – and you’re always competing against other news,
books, products, services, and events.
So, even when you are unknown, that doesn’t mean you can’t get media
coverage. You may have to work a little
harder and longer at it – and you’ll need a lucky break, but a good book by a
credentialed author on a timely topic can find its way to media coverage. Remember, all best-selling authors and
celebrities were unknown at one time.
Myth
6:
If I don’t live in a big place, like New York City, LA, or Chicago, I won’t get
a lot of media.
No
matter where you live, your book, back story, qualifications and news hook will
be the same. Either it’s good enough to
get attention – or it’s not. Being in a
big city can even be a disadvantage for you.
The author in Milwaukee has a better chance of getting local media
coverage and building a following than one living in New York City, where local
media is being pursued by tons of people.
Myth
7: I should promote my book as soon as it’s
published.
Your
book promotions can easily begin six months before publication date. You can draft your press kit materials,
design your website, post on social media, seek out speaking engagements, get
media coached and do a lot of things in preparation for your book launch. Around four months before publication date,
you would send out advance review copies to book reviewers at long-lead
magazines, newspapers, and book review publications. By two months prior to pub date you contact
national morning TV shows, reaching out to other media, like bloggers, and
seeking to schedule bookstore and library appearances. Do not wait for the day your book is
published to start promoting. You will
have missed out on your window of opportunity.
You can still promote your book for the first 3-4 months it’s out, but
you should also do the things prior to publication that will put you in a
position to succeed.
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https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-book-marketing-strategies-best.htmlDo authors have the right attitude to succeed at book marketing?
While popularity of
social media grows, traditional media still leads the conversation
Authors should see
book marketing like going to a gym regularly
How to model success
of authors for your own book publicity
How to be persistent
when marketing books effectively
How authors convince
media of their uniqueness
How authors can communicate
better when promoting a book
How authors can sell
more books
No. 1 Book Publicity
Resource: 2019 Toolkit For Authors -- FREE
Brian
Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas
expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or
anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and
email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when
discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog
©2019. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His
writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.
This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the
top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best
resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.
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