Book Publicity Strategies, Tools, Plans & Ideas
Many authors have lots of questions regarding their PR and book publicity strategy. Annie Jennings, a top national publicist with many years of experience, answers some commonly asked questions about publicity, public relations and marketing.
What is a book publicity strategy?
A publicity strategy is the way you will get your book out to your target audience. This includes getting booked on radio talk interview shows, in print and online media and as a guest on TV shows.
What are the tools of book publicity?
There are many tools used to create a publicity strategy that include creating a press release to send out to your target media outlets that can include book reviewers, a contact list that targets media that has a topic profile that matches your book’s subject matter, a way of reaching the target list responsibly, books to send out to the interested media and a follow-up strategy. Getting media training is an important tool as this will help you learn the skill set need to speak to the media as a seasoned author.
What does it mean to get book publicity?
Getting publicity means that your is mentioned in a media outlet. Many times the media will interview you as a  subject matter expert where you contribute to a story, article or blog the journalist is writing. In this case, the media usually mentions your expertise, your name and the name of the book. With a radio talk show interview, you will be booked as a guest on the show where you will talk about the topic discussed in your book. You are usually able to mention your book in the interview and the show’s host will mostly likely mention the name of your book in your introduction (so be sure to provide the name of your book in your press release).
What is the importance of getting book publicity?
Authors spend a lot of time and money in the writing and publishing of their book. Once published, it is in the author’s best interests to get the name of the book out to their target media to reach potential buyers. Without publicity, your reader may never get the chance to find out about your book and why they would want to buy it.
What are some mistakes to avoid in getting book publicity?
The first mistake is not having a website that has your book information. Your website should include an ‘about the author’ section, an ‘about the book’ section and any other information that positions you as a qualified author along with how readers can buy the book (link to Amazon if available) and how any interested media can contact you. Other mistakes to avoid include not having a summary of your book or press release on your book to send to interested media. Not having media training is another mistake to avoid as you will not have the skill set the media likes to see in an author. Â Avoid meaningless pitching of your book to large lists of media that are not a match for your topic. Take the time to build a list of media whose profile matches the subject matter in your book.
What is the most effective book publicity strategy?
The most effect book publicity strategy is to be visible to your target market using radio talk show interviews, print and online media as well as appearing as a guest on TV shows. Also, creating social media accounts and actively sharing about your book, your media opportunities and what your book is about is essential to creating buzz. Take the time to think about your target audience, where they are on the internet and target them.
Annie Jennings is a top national publicist who has worked with thousands of authors, experts and speakers. You can learn more about Annie Jennings PR at https://www.anniejenningspr.com
