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action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /srv/users/sandra/apps/sandra/public/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114Don't understand publicity and how it works? Here's a quick-start guide with four book publicity facts that will demystify the term.<\/pre>\nAffiliate Disclosure:<\/strong> This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra charge to you). <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Authors often overlook book publicity when creating their book marketing plans.<\/a> That’s usually because they:<\/p>\n
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- Don\u2019t know what it is<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t realize it\u2019s a realistic option<\/li>\n
- Want it but don\u2019t know how to get it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But those who understand key book publicity facts and are interviewed on television or a podcast? Or who see their book included in a media outlet\u2019s \u201cbest of\u201d list? Or are interviewed for an in-depth article on something they know a lot about?<\/p>\n
Those authors are hooked on the power of publicity.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Not sure what it\u2019s all about? I\u2019ve got four book publicity facts that help demystify the topic and process so you can use book publicity to introduce more readers to what you write.<\/p>\n
Fact #1: Book publicity is that free media exposure that results when your book title appears in a print or digital newspaper, magazine, or blog article or is heard in a podcast, radio, or TV interview.<\/h2>\n
With the growth of social media, that definition has expanded to include social media mentions. For our purposes, though, we\u2019ll focus on just the news media.<\/p>\n
The biggest difference between publicity and other forms of marketing \u2013 advertising, direct mail, sponsorships, etc. \u2013 is that you can\u2019t buy it. You simply can\u2019t pay for an interview with a legitimate news outlet.<\/p>\n
In addition, studies show that publicity is 10 times more effective than advertising<\/strong> (which is when you pay for, place, and control the message along with\u00a0when and where\u00a0it appears).<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because of the implied editorial endorsement. The thinking is: If a journalist thought enough of you or your book to interview you or reference the book, you must be an expert (or your book must be a great resource).<\/p>\n
While publicity is free, authors often pay for related services such as press release distribution (I recommend eReleases<\/a>) or\u00a0a publicist<\/a>.<\/p>\n
[novashare_tweet tweet=”Studies show that publicity is 10 times more effective than advertising” hide_hashtags=”true”]<\/p>\n
Fact #2: Free press release distribution services and sites don\u2019t actually \u201cdistribute\u201d press releases.<\/h2>\n
Authors often tell me that they use free press release distribution sites, but this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for.<\/p>\n
\u201cFree press release distribution service\u201d is a misnomer. Free sites don\u2019t send your press release out to reporters, producers, editors, writers, hosts, or bloggers.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The releases sit on the service site waiting to be discovered. That\u2019s better than nothing \u2013 and who knows? Maybe it will be found there and used.<\/p>\n
Still, if you want to make sure your newsworthy press release<\/a> or\u00a0tip sheet<\/a> gets distributed to the right media outlets and journalists, build your own media list<\/a> or use a paid press release distribution service (see 1. above).<\/p>\n
Fact #3: Book publicity is about more than sending press releases.<\/h2>\n
Press releases, especially\u00a0book announcement press releases<\/a>, are only part of the mix (although that release announcing your book\u2019s publication is essential because it’s so versatile).<\/p>\n
You should also pitch appropriate media outlets on story or segment ideas related to your book that you can contribute to as an expert source.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
To do that, study the media outlets, blogs, and podcasts read, watched, or listened to by your book\u2019s target audience<\/a> to figure\u00a0out what sorts of articles\u00a0and segments they run.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019re clear on the kind of content they use, you\u2019ll be ready to brainstorm article and segment ideas that you can \u201cpitch\u201d \u2013 propose \u2013 as an expert resource.<\/p>\n
Many authors also pitch and write by-lined articles or essays<\/strong> on topics related to their books. These are often published with a writer credit that includes the author’s book title.<\/p>\n
Fact #4: You don\u2019t need relationships with journalists to get book publicity.<\/h2>\n
Oh, sure, if you have them, relationships help. But they’re not required.<\/p>\n
What you need is an understanding of how the system works<\/strong> \u2014 which media outlets reach your target audience, how to find the right person at that outlet to contact, and\u00a0what to pitch them<\/a>.<\/p>\n
When I was working for clients as a publicist, I got them featured in publications ranging from\u00a0USA Today<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Business Week\u00a0<\/em>to the front page of\u00a0The Wall Street Journal<\/em>\u00a0without knowing a soul at any of those media outlets.<\/p>\n
When my first book came out, I booked myself on nationally syndicated TV talk shows, appearing alongside celebrities that included actor George Segal<\/a>, without any contacts at those outlets.<\/p>\n
But what I did<\/em> know was the importance of studying each target outlet to understand:<\/p>\n
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- What they use<\/li>\n
- How my book or my client\u2019s product, service, or story fit into that framework<\/li>\n
- How to determine the best person to contact<\/li>\n
- How to write a pitch<\/a>\u00a0that would get read<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can do this, too.<\/p>\n
More resources on book publicity facts<\/h2>\n
I\u2019ve linked throughout to several articles on this site that can help you take advantage of these four publicity facts, but here are a few more:<\/p>\n
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- The best ways to get author and book publicity<\/a><\/li>\n
- Trade journals: The book publicist\u2019s secret weapon<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to get trade journal book publicity<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sell more books in your backyard with these local book publicity tips<\/a><\/li>\n
- Free download: 8 Services That Help Journalists Find Authors and Other Sources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All it takes is time, a willingness to learn, and persistence. That last point is especially important. Even skilled, experienced publicists strike out frequently. But with persistence, they succeed. And so will you.<\/p>\n
What do you need to learn about book publicity, or what advice would you offer authors? Share it in a comment.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"