How Do Authors Get Media Coverage?

 

Authors can get news media coverage if they pursue it, outsource it, or enlist a combination of the two. What exactly will help you get news media coverage? Luck! And these things:  

Authors need to approach the: 

* Right media outlet

* Perfect person at the outlet

* Media at the optimal moment

* Journalist via the best delivery method

* News media with an interesting, targeted message

* Media in a way that you are seen as the best person to say what you say

Timing is everything.  

You have these windows of opportunity to strike: 

* Before the book is published

* When your book is launched

* When you can tie into a trend

* To hijack the news cycle

* Follow the Editorial Calendar of a media outlet

* Tie into honorary days, anniversaries, and seasonal or holiday themes

* An event

* Hard news announcement

* At a trade show/conference if presenting or participating

* Nominated for an award 

You need to build an accurate and targeted media list of whom to contact. You can Google different media outlets or find media contacts on social media platforms, but the quickest way to discover lots of media personnel is to rent a media database.  

Choose from amongst these: 

* Cision

* MuckRack

* Meltwater

* Agility PR Solutions

* SparkToro 

Your pitch and email subject line needs to rally around one thing: 

* Raise A Question

* Make A Pronouncement

* Issue A Challenge

* Raise A Concern

* Advocate For Something

* Share An Opinion

* Own A Trend

* Piggyback On Hot Topics 

Use one or more delivery methods for your pitch: 

* Messenger

* Mail

* Overnight Fed Ex

* Fax

* Email

* Call

* In-person

* Social media 

Build support for your message by developing a brand from third-party validation from: 

* Professional consumer reviews

* Other news media coverage

* Book awards

* Testimonials

* Customer reviews

* Public appearances and speaking engagements

* Social media following 

What helps you pitch the media is you knowing: 

* Your stuff — sound like an expert

* How to come off as energized and sounding passionate

* Something about the media outlet being pitched

* What the reporter-host tends to cover

* Characteristics and personal background of the journalist 

Type of media coverage to pursue: 

* News Story

* Feature story

* Interview

* Book Review

* Guest post

* Byline Article

* Op-Ed

* Letter-To-The-Editor 

What will tie all of this together and help you net some news media coverage is your level of creativity, personality, initiative, guts, confidence, perseverance, charisma, and drive. 

That is how you get more media coverage!

 

Need PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with 3.6 million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.6 million pageviews. With 4,800+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.