Warren’s Note: I asked Jennifer to share here ideas about media with you today.
What do you think? Do you like aritlces like this? Will you use this to get more media attention?
Please read and comment below.
By Jennifer A. Jones
author of www.speakmediablog.com
When Warren asked me to offer some PR insight to his readers, I knew there was one thing I wanted to say above all else: the greatest mistake you can make when publicizing your book is to talk about your book.
Sounds odd, doesn’t it? Of course you want people to know about your book. You want them to be intrigued by the story, enticed by the characters, dying to know what happens next, right?
Here’s the problem with that strategy: there are millions of intriguing stories, enticing characters and suspenseful plot lines out there. Millions. If you make your publicity campaign about your book, you will never stand out above the rest. To the consumer, your book’s plot line will simply blend into another book they heard about and another after that. It may be a hard truth to hear, but it is nonetheless, truth.
What makes your book so completely unique, so unlike anything else that’s out there, is you. Your story. That’s the trick. Pure and simple. The best PR campaigns do not spotlight the product; they spotlight the story behind the product. Why did you write this book? Is it auto-biographical? Were you down to your last dime, living off Ramen noodles and praying the power wouldn’t get shut off just so you could finish that last chapter?
Did you stay up late into the wee hours to write despite early morning meetings at the office? Is it your first book? It is your fiftieth? Is this the story you began to write ten years ago and only now returned
to finish it? Did you go on ride-alongs with the cops to ensure authenticity? Is the story based on your childhood? It is a commentary on how you see society? Are you young? Old? Male? Female? Black? White?
Are you a suburban housewife who always felt she had something to say?
Or, a dance club player whose nighttime adventures would make Hugh Hefner blush?
Believe it or not, these are the things that get media attention – and more importantly – the things that hold it. Reporters and bloggers are writers just like you. They want characters to talk about. They want conflict and strife and hard times. They want to tell the tale of someone who beat the odds, chased his dream, or represents a new consciousness in our society. Give it to them.
When Rocco Mediate recently played against Tiger Woods, the media wasn’t buzzing about his golf swing. They talked about how it took him twenty-three years to become an overnight success. Had that not been
the story, I would never have heard about him – nor would I have tuned to watch the sudden death face off with baited breath. The story behind the scenes is what got me.
This is how you make yourself memorable to the media – by giving them a reason to write about you. This is how you ensure the consumer remembers your name when searching online or in the book store.
By branding yourself, instead of your individual work, you serve all of your books – past, present and future. People will excitedly look for the next thing you write, or happily discover something that’s been on the shelves for years. It’s easier to attract consumers to book-signings if they care about the author they are going to see. It’s easier to secure speaking engagements on college campuses if you, yourself, are known. By branding yourself, you give media, bloggers and consumers something to sink their teeth into; something to relate to, and most importantly, something to remember.
So, when you contact the media, when you reach out to bloggers, when you tell your story, make sure it is your story you tell, not your book’s.
Thanks Jennifer. And thank you reader for your comments.
It is really true that the person behind the book will sell and gather more interest than the book itself. Will definately take note of it when I get around to releasing my e-book
It is really true that the person behind the book will sell and gather more interest than the book itself. Will definately take note of it when I get around to releasing my e-book
You are on to something. I believe my story will get people interested. There are the back stories too, and I intend to pull THEM out at just the right times…
My blog just shares my concerns and health, wealth and happiness thoughts. I hope that those that get interested will find my business interests. Those that like my story may choose to order the book that I am a part of.
Thanks again for the good suggestions…
You are on to something. I believe my story will get people interested. There are the back stories too, and I intend to pull THEM out at just the right times…
My blog just shares my concerns and health, wealth and happiness thoughts. I hope that those that get interested will find my business interests. Those that like my story may choose to order the book that I am a part of.
Thanks again for the good suggestions…
Excellent advice. As authors, we all want to talk about our book, not us. But it makes sense, we are the ones who wrote it, so we need to include ourselves in the overall story. Thanks for the tip.
Excellent advice. As authors, we all want to talk about our book, not us. But it makes sense, we are the ones who wrote it, so we need to include ourselves in the overall story. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you so much, Jennifer. This information is exactly what I need right now. I finished my 1st book, self-published it, built the website and blogs. I began blogging to get my name and my book out to the public. Finding this advice today points me in the direction I need to go. I am so glad I found you. Thanks again.
Thank you so much, Jennifer. This information is exactly what I need right now. I finished my 1st book, self-published it, built the website and blogs. I began blogging to get my name and my book out to the public. Finding this advice today points me in the direction I need to go. I am so glad I found you. Thanks again.
An excellent tip that reinforces Roger Hamilton’s advice of “be the brand”. It is the YOU (brand) that sells the model (book) just as Nike, Ford and Apple already know. Top stuff.
An excellent tip that reinforces Roger Hamilton’s advice of “be the brand”. It is the YOU (brand) that sells the model (book) just as Nike, Ford and Apple already know. Top stuff.
This article reminded me of all the interviews I have seen on talk shows when the author says, “in my book…” or “in the book…” or – over and over. While I notice it the first time they mention their own book, the second (and subsequent) time it turns annoying. The person is there for their personality, and though their work got them the comfy seat on stage, the audience does not care much about the bundle of pages they already plan to check out. They want to relate on a personal level – to sense the humanity in the author. That is a huge selling point. Thanks for the reminder!
This article reminded me of all the interviews I have seen on talk shows when the author says, “in my book…” or “in the book…” or – over and over. While I notice it the first time they mention their own book, the second (and subsequent) time it turns annoying. The person is there for their personality, and though their work got them the comfy seat on stage, the audience does not care much about the bundle of pages they already plan to check out. They want to relate on a personal level – to sense the humanity in the author. That is a huge selling point. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for all the comments.
From what I’ve read here, and the private emails I’ve received, I’m positive that we’ll be asking Jennifer to share with us again.
Plus we’ll be looking for more experts like Jennifer to feature on this blog.
Are you subscribed? Click the link to add our blog to your reader now.
Thanks for all the comments.
From what I’ve read here, and the private emails I’ve received, I’m positive that we’ll be asking Jennifer to share with us again.
Plus we’ll be looking for more experts like Jennifer to feature on this blog.
Are you subscribed? Click the link to add our blog to your reader now.
Thanks for the reminder. I was frustrated about an interview I just had for my recently released children’s book, “Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?-A Story of Divorce”, because she asked so many questions about divorce and other things leading away from the book. Now I understand and see the value of talking about yourself….they can read the book! Thanks for the tip, Carol
Thanks for the reminder. I was frustrated about an interview I just had for my recently released children’s book, “Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?-A Story of Divorce”, because she asked so many questions about divorce and other things leading away from the book. Now I understand and see the value of talking about yourself….they can read the book! Thanks for the tip, Carol