When Should An Author Hire A Publicist?

 

 

When should an author hire a book promoter?

Notice that the question begins with “when” and not “should.” It is a given that you should utilize a book promoter, but it is a matter of when — and who — that needs to be determined.

How do I know you need a publicist?

Because every author could benefit from utilizing the services of a knowledgable pro. The publicist knows more than the author about the book landscape, has more experience, and has more contacts — as it relates to the world of book publicity and sales.

But, if you hire the wrong person for the job, bring them in at the wrong time, or overpay for their services, then, of course, you screwed up.

Still, you may be wondering, if you need a book publicist. Well, it depends on your answers to these questions:

* What are your goals for your book?

* What needs to be done that you don’t know how — or lack the skill or will — to do?

* What must be done that you don’t like to do?

* What should be done that you don’t have the time to do?

* What type of strategic advice or guidance are you in need of?

* Do you need someone with a network of contacts that you just don’t have?

Ok, so once you realize you need a publicist and you set some parameters, such as identifying specific tasks that you want to outsource and a budget, you will need to determine when to bring the promoter on board.

Here are some points of entry for a promoter:

* 6 months prior to launch. He or she can help you map out an effective game plan, set a timeline for execution, and identify which areas you will need help on.

* 5 months prior to publication you will need a web site designer hired.

* 4 months before you publish, you will need a press kit written and to send advance book review copies out to book reviewers and long-lead magazines.

* 3 months prior to your book’s release, you need to get your social media going and to start drafting blog post content.

* 2 months out and you need to develop a bestseller campaign strategy. You should start lining up bookstore and library appearances that will take place once the book is out.

* 1 month out and you need to begin contacting the news media, both locally and nationally. You may also start to map out what type of ad campaigns that you might do.

There are other flashpoints where you may need the advice or services of a savvy publicist or marketer, which might be when the book launches or it could be three or four months later, when you realize you tried your best on your own and you still need a boost. It is never too late to get help, but ideally you want it sooner than later so as to get the maximum benefit from it.

So, when should YOU hire a book publicist?

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your 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

This award-winning blog has generated over 5,000,000 page views. With 5,400+ posts over the past 14 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.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity 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.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, 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. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

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.

 

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.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum