Eight
years ago almost to this day – and some 3,200 posts ago – I launched Book Marketing
Buzz Blog. I knew I had things to say,
ideas to share, and experiences to convey, but I did not know I would still be
penning new content today. It just goes
to show you that you never know where things will lead you to, but the first
step is to try. Take action.
On
May 13, 2011 I wrote about Donald Trump, then a billionaire real estate
developer who was well known for his exploits on television’s The Apprentice. I wrote about how I disliked him and thought
him to be a buffoon but also to say I admired his publicity antics and his
ability to amass free publicity. Even
now, as president, though I disagree with his bullying and extremist policies,
I completely am smitten with his uncanny skill to pump his message out there.
As a
marketer, I can’t fault him. As a human
being and citizen, well, that’s another story.
So
let’s learn from one of the best showmen around. Authors can apply a Trumpian style to their
book marketing by doing what he does:
1.
Seek out the media – he can’t stop
talking, knowing everything he says and does will be covered by the media.
2.
Use social media – His
Twitterstorms are legendary, posting prolifically at all hours of the day and
night.
3.
Stick to a script – He punches out
a few key points and then repeats and restates them, not looking to say more
than is needed to get his views across.
4.
Be controversial – He confronts,
bullies, teases, challenges, threatens – and that’s what becomes news.
5.
He is high energy – The senior
citizen has a lot of energy and uses a booming voice, hand gestures, and lots
of intensity when speaking. Even his
tweets take on a physical form with his excessive capitalizations and
exclamation points.
6.
He speaks with
conviction
– He’s a real poker player who will lie to your face but do so with a
compulsive self-righteousness.
7.
He demeans
challengers
– Nicknames for political enemies and the media become catchy labels that
people repeat.
8.
Enmesh yourself
with power and beauty – He likes photo opps in settings that usually make a
statement. If that doesn’t work, he has
eye candy in wife Melania to stand by his side.
9.
Act like an
authority
– Even when he is ignorant of an issue, he sounds like he knows what he’s
talking about.
10.
Pick a side – Don’t merely
comment on something: take an extreme position.
11.
Dress for success. – Put on a wig, a
nice suit, and an expensive watch and you to will be taken seriously.
12.
Paint yourself a
victim.
– Though he projects strength, vigor, and confidence, he often says he’s a
victim of hoaxes, frauds, lies, political shenanigans, and schemers. If you say you’re unjustly under attack, some
will actually believe you.
Trump
even manages to turn accusations, lawsuits, and unethical deeds to his
advantage. Even when he’s painted as a
womanizer, liar, or crook, the ordinary citizen relates to him that much
more. Teflon Don gets away with a lot.
Authors
don’t have to like Donald “The Chump” Trump, but they should admire and respect
– with envy – how well he manages to get media coverage for decades, all while
really having nothing good to say. His Art of the Deal may be a best-seller, but
what he really excels at is Art of the Media.
Happy
anniversary, Donnie – just don’t call me.
My First 5 Blog Posts – in 2011
Donald Trump Branding Lessons
Publishing
E-Pocalypse
Book
Marketing Strategies Found In A Casino
Information
Peddlers Challenge Book World
Coming
Soon: Memoir of a Six-Year-Old
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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