Got Publicity Questions?

National publicist, Annie Jennings, discusses what you need to know about hiring a publicist to creating your author website or author/expert website, to implementing the Annie Jennings PR Ladder Strategy™.

Does a book author need to hire a publicist to get exposure?

Great question. The answer is that depends on what the author would like to accomplish. There are some goals that the author is not generally able to everything themselves as some desired outcomes require the skill set of an established PR professional. With that said there are many things an author can accomplish themselves if they have the time and desire to learn and implement strategy.

Does an author or author/expert need a website?

Yes, a website can help both the reader and other interested parties such as a media journalist or producer, associations that would like to hire you as a speaker or a business that would like to hire you as a consultant learn more about your book and yourself, the author.

What does an author website include?

Authors should build a comprehensive website that serves the interests of multiple types of visitors. The website should be tailored to your goals and the goals of your visitor. Keep in mind, various types of visitors will mostly likely have different end goals.

About the author/expert’s website navigation bar

For example, the navigation button called “Media Kit” could be a main element in your navigation bar with a drop down for additional resources. These resources would include the exact name of your book with sub-title, a high quality photo of your book, a professional headshot, publisher, publication date, a summary of your book’s topic and key takeaways from your book. Also include how readers can buy a copy of your book (online retailers, traditional book stores) and provide links to the book.

Include the phonetic pronunciation of your name

Another area that you may not have considered to include is the phonetic pronunciation of your name if it is unclear or your name can be pronounced in more than one way. Your website visitors  will truly appreciate information as no one likes to call anyone by the wrong name or pronunciation of their name, especially the media.

Author/expert website sections

Each section on your author or author/expert  is designed to give the visitor all the information they need to either buy your book, sample your book or hire you for a speaking, consulting or media opportunity. Each navigation button should have a drop down menu to organize the information and keep your author/expert website well-designed, uncluttered and easy to navigate. Pages to consider including on your website if appropriate for your goals.

Home Page
Author BIO
Book or Books
Services or Consulting
Speaking Topics
Media, News, Events
Media Kit
Resources
Blog
Contact Page

Example: As mentioned, each navigation button can be built out to provide additional information. Another example is your Contact Page. Be sure the visitor can get in touch with you quickly. A contact form is one strategy however always provide a direct phone number to reach you. Not only is this a courtesy to your interested visitor but it also reduces the chances that your visitor will leave your website and find someone else before you respond to a contact form.

When should an author start thinking about publicity for a non-fiction book?

As a national publicist who has worked with thousands of authors, based on my experience, I  would advise author to start thinking about publicity as soon as they start writing their book. The reason is that later, once published, the media will be interested in the contents of your book that are considered socially relevant. This enables the media to identify your point of view on various themes presented in your book. A non-fiction book can be a highly effective marketing tool for your business. Your book showcases your expertise, credentials, and subject matter mastery. Perhaps think of your book as an audition for a speaking, consulting or media opportunity.

What are some publicity goals that non-fiction authors have?

Many authors, especially authors that have a primary business and their book would complement their business, would write a book as a showcase of the scope of their knowledge. Their book also reveals how their experience and expertise is socially relevant to the issues trending in our society. This information can set the author apart from others in their industry and give them a significant competitive advantage. Who doesn’t love a book author?

What is the Annie Jennings PR Ladder Strategy™?

The Ladder Strategy™ created for authors and experts is designed to optimize their PR and book marketing potential. Annie Jennings PR Firm is well known for simplifying and organizing PR best practices into easy to understand visuals.

Annie Jennings PR is a one of kind PR firm having created book promotion, publicity, marketing and branding strategies that have changed the industry and are in widespread use today. The PR techniques presented by Annie Jennings PR are aligned with what the media requires in an author or expert as well as for what a company that would like to hire the author/expert for a consulting or speaking opportunity.

Want to learn more about how experts with books used Annie’s strategies to achieve their highest levels of success? The author/experts discuss, in their own voices, the value that working with Annie has brought to them. Real client publicity stories here.

Annie’s Ladder Strategy goes from rungs one through ten, with each rung qualifying you for the next rung higher. This is considered a classic Annie Jennings PR media and branding strategy as it was created by observing how the media works – and how attracting opportunity works.

How many authors and experts have used the Annie Jennings PR Ladder Strategy™?

Thousands upon thousands of authors, experts and clients have followed the Ladder Strategy™ leading to great success. You can review numerous client and media testimonials as well as real client Publicity success stories.

When is the right time to start publicity?

It all depends on what you want to accomplish. If you would like to reach out to book review websites or book reviewers the usual time frame is 3 months prior to the publication date. However to be safe, I would suggest that you to check with the site or reviewer just in case there are any updates via email or phone call. You can even use social media to perhaps get a response.  It’s best to add an extra month to be safe. If you are told to submit three months in advance of the publication date, I would suggest that you submit earlier but not too much earlier. It is always best to call ahead to get any specifics they would like submitted with your review copy to avoid delays.