Interview With Globe Pequot Marketing Manager Alyssa Griffin

 

1.       Alyssa, as the marketing manager of Globe Pequot – a division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, what trends are you seeing in the marketing of books?

We are seeing a huge shift to Tik Tok for book marketing. There’s a huge community on the platform referred to as ‘Book Tok’ where we have seen modestly selling titles become bestsellers nearly overnight. The power of social media is certainly not to be underestimated.

2.       How do you assist authors to get the word out about their books?

In the Globe Pequot marketing team, we help authors get publicity for their books, which helps increase sales. We do this by pitching to various media outlets across multiple platforms (print, television, radio, etc.) to help book interviews, get book reviews, excerpts published, etc.

3.       What are the things that typically move book sales -- is it social media or traditional media? Speaking engagements or ads? Book awards or direct mail campaigns? What actually works?

Social media and traditional media are the biggest things that typically push book sales. As I mentioned before, Tik Tok has become a huge platform for books. We also see increases in sales when we get a lot of traditional media interest in the form of reviews, interviews, and features. However, ads, awards, direct mail campaigns, and speaking engagements/signings help with book sales, as well!

4.       Any new titles we should be aware of or on the lookout for? Why?

We have so many new titles coming out this year that appeal to every individual. We have Casting Homeward from Steve Ramirez that is releasing in September; his first book in the series, Casting Foreword, played a huge role in the 2022 film Mending the Line.

We also have some great children’s books like Franklin’s Trees and October is Having a Party. There are plenty of titles coming out for the crafter in your life, or the history buff, or the music and film fanatic. I could brag forever about the wonderful titles we are publishing in the coming months!

5.       When did you know you wanted to work in the book publishing industry?

I knew I wanted to work in the publishing industry when I graduated from college with a marketing degree. I wanted to market something that was of value to others and something that I truly believed in. To me, books are such an impactful part of everyone’s lives, and I wanted to be a part of that positive impact.

6.       It seems free speech is always under attack. Any suggestions on how the book world can fight censorship and book bans?

I think we should just continue to advocate for these books, and for ourselves and each other. Continue to encourage free speech. 

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 3.8 million pageviews. With 4,900+ 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.