Author Publicity Begins With You, The Author
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011Most agents agree that determining how to go about promotion is all most as important if not equally important as writing the book. Self promotion is something that may not come easily for many authors, but it is essential in launching a successful book campaign. Book and author publicity are key to a successful writing career.
More and more authors are looking into self-publishing and eBooks. But, if you want to have a productive writing career, it is best to get the aid of an agent and publicist. Attending writers’ seminars or retreats is a good way to get to know some literary agents before you approach them. You will need to be comfortable with your agent, as you have the potential with working with that person for a long time. And, you need to assure that the agent you desire works with your genre or type of book. There is no use approaching an agent about your children’s book, if she only handles adult novels.
Trying to sell to a publisher and publicize a book without a publicist or agent usually does not work, unless you are only looking at a small scale project in self-publishing. Many publishers will not even look at uninvited work submitted from someone who has never been published. An agent can help get a foot in the door.
However, in order to obtain the agent, you may need more than a good manuscript. The agent may ask you how you intend to sell the book. The agent wants to know that you are serious and secure in your plans to market your book and the publisher may ask this, as well.
You can and should include all types of media outlets in your promotion. First, you must know your target group – what age, male or female, national or international, etc. Then, you will need to locate all fields of marketing for that source. Some areas to reach are much simpler than others.
With today’s internet, joining social networking sites and blogging about your work, can generate a following interested in what you are writing. You may also wish to share some, limited, aspects of your life, especially when they apply to your book content. If you are writing a book about collecting sports memorabilia, it would be useful to promote what makes you knowledgeable and experienced in that field. For fiction writers, you may want to blog about meeting with a forensic expert or an archeologist to obtain expertise information in the field needed for your book. Don’t mention names and don’t reveal too much, that should be left for curiosity when the book arrives on the shelf. Be sure to check out other writers’ pages and blogs, both beginners and experienced. You can gain ideas and insight into promotion.
When your published work is due out, be sure to let anyone and everyone you know. The neighborhood library, bookstore, church, newspaper or writers’ club might want to host a book signing. Remember, everyone is a consumer and you want everyone to buy your book.
You can move on from there to radio and television. Check for talk-format stations in your area. Often they have live shows that may have a perfect spot for an interview with a new author. Even music stations sometimes have morning or afternoon news hours or a morning show with celebrity interviews. And, like the local newspaper, local television stations probably will want to join the bandwagon as well.
As an author it is important to generate a buzz about your book well in advance of publication. It doesn’t hurt to start small, but think big! Catching the eye of the local community will grow in to a region and gain momentum into larger territory. Find an agent or publicist with whom you work with comfortably and take it from there.
Access more resources on author publicity at the famous Annie Jennings PR publicity website. Get outstanding author publicity and author book promotion today. Book authors and publishers can Access out what it takes to get outstanding success as an author or publisher. Experience lots of success in your book sales, in your business and as a book author.