Following Up with the Media

Most of the time, media contacts won't respond to your attempts to engage them, but don't give up or become discouraged. Don't stop -- just regroup and try again and again. Follow up promptly.

Following up is essential in getting publicity!
Professional publicists follow up their initial appeals by e-mail or phone to inquire about the contact's interest. Following up is what distinguishes professional publicists from amateurs. Following up is the repetitive and unglamorous aspect of getting publicity that many authors don't want to or won't do. However, professionals will. If you want to get the media to publicize your book, learn to follow up!
Call a day or so after they should have received your initial contact. Then follow up every day or two. Leave your silver bullet, your initial message, only once, but give your name, identify yourself, and state how you can be contacted. For example, say, "This is Jim Brady. Call me about the latest handgun death."
After you contact people in the media a number of times, they begin to recognize your name. They start connecting it with your area of expertise and your book, which is the way that you start building relationships.

Be persistent; continue following up until you make contact or are convinced that it's hopeless. Some media contacts will appreciate the fact that you follow up because it may alert them to items they missed or remind them of others that they might want to revisit.

Remember -- timing is everything with the media! In the course of a week or two, everything can change. A contact who was totally disinterested last week may now want lots of information on a subject that he or she virtually ignored before.

Rule of Seven
Publicity is a business with lots of rejections and few responses. It can take a dozen phone calls to get an interview with a major-market media outlet. Remember the Rule of Seven -- it takes at least seven tries before you make contact. But one response, one "Yes," may be all you need to get your story told. Look at each "No" or lack of response not as a defeat or a setback, but as a small victory that puts you closer to the "Yes" that will land you a feature or a booking.
When my close colleague and friend Robyn Freedman Spizman -- a fellow expert publicist -- began pitching her books, she always thought a "No" was just the word "On," backward. "So when a contact said No, I began to passionately pitch because I knew it was do or die," Robyn explains. "I carefully listened to the media and in a few moments, I'd know if I was shooting blanks or connecting. I always knew what I wanted to convey and was ready to shift into rocket gear. Sometimes it helped to ask, "Thank you for your feedback. Do you know anyone working on any topics that relate to my focus?" "
To follow up without being a pest and to get the media to lower its guard, say something like, "I'm sorry to bother you so much, I know how busy you are. But I thought my new book would really be up your alley, and you'd like to know about it." Usually, your apology and understanding of how busy they are will loosen them up.

When you don't have something to pitch, stay on their radar screens. Periodically call, e-mail, and send information. Put them on your Christmas card list. Send copies of your promotional materials and newsletters. When they cover you or your book, send thank-you notes. Convey your congratulations when they get awards, promotions, or new jobs. Send them birthday cards; consider it a part of following up, but sincerity is key. Send items in order to connect with people in the media, get to know them and enable them to become more familiar with you.

Press Releases
Publicity expert Paul Hartunian believes that conducting a press release campaign is the most effective way to get bookings and coverage. So he instructs his clients to:
- Start early, as soon as they think about writing a book and even before they write or try to shop it.
- Every week, send a different press release. If you can't send one every week, send one at least every other week. Distributing press releases at longer intervals is not as productive.
- In each press release, give solutions to specific problems. Think of the most common and troubling problems in your area of expertise and provide answers for them. When the media continually receives your solutions, it will recognize your name and think of you as an expert in your field.
- Continue sending press releases well after your book is published in order to continue your media presence long after the buzz on your book has faded.

Although writing and sending so many press releases sounds like a ton of work, Hartunian feels it isn't difficult. First, he recommends that authors develop a template that they can easily follow, which will become routine after a while. An effective approach is to first identify the problem. Then, explain why it occurs, its implications, and its impact. Finally, offer solutions.

Hartunian notes that after about six months, old press releases can be recycled. "The reporter you may have pitched may have moved to a different paper or might not have read your release the first time around," he explains. "Audiences change and those who read a release today may be different than those who read it before. Set up a stable of press releases, update them, tweak them, link them to current news and developments, and recycle them," Hartunian advises.
Anticipate and capitalize on events. Hartunian knows that in every field, certain events will eventually occur, so he prepares to use them to get publicity. When he represented a client who marketed a golf putter, he realized that sooner or later, some high-profile professional golfer would miss a putt that would cost him a tournament.
So, he dashed out a press release with the headline, "Did You See _____ _______ Just Miss That Putt?" and left the name blank. Under the headline, he added the subhead, "Call me. I can tell you why ___ ________ missed that putt and how it could have been prevented."
Then, Hartunian filed the press release and waited. Sure enough, before long, a major golfer missed a critical putt to lose a major tournament. Seconds after the miss, Hartunian pulled out the prewritten release, filled in the golfer's name, and faxed the press release to his distribution services, which in turn forwarded it to tens of thousands of media outlets. The media was floored by Hartunian's lightning-quick action and overwhelmed him with interview requests.

From Author 101 Publicity Book
More at http://www.author101.com

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What to do on Radio

***RADIO****
Radio is a wonderful medium to sell your book; we all know that. But when you are on the radio make sure you get listeners back to your site to get a "freebie" a PDF or MP3 -- something that has a lot of perceived value.

We call that an ethical bribe. That way you can get their email address and get them in your database.
Get them to your site and develop a relationship with the listener.

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How to Write A Press Release

Write releases in the journalistic style used by the print media because outlets may publish them, or parts of them, with little or no changes, especially when they're faced with tight deadlines. The format of a press release isn't as important for the electronic media because it treats them as leads that it must investigate further. The electronic media is used to getting information in the journalistic format and then shaping it according to its own needs.

Write your press release in three parts:

(1) Introduce your book and the problems it will solve
(2) give your credentials
(3) explain what action you would like the media to take.

For the print media, the first paragraph of your press release is vital. It should run no more than two or three sentences and set forth all the main points covered in the release. Don't clutter up your opening paragraph with details. The press isn't interested in every trivial point and will fly right past them. Unnecessary information can turn off readers, which could kill your more important points. If you must include details, stick them at the end of your release or, better yet, put them in a separate, more comprehensive article that you include with your media kit.

After the first paragraph, amplify your lead, but hold your release to one page. The lead paragraph should inform the media about your book, so treat it as an announcement. Then, explain your lead in the subsequent paragraphs by providing background, more specific or additional information such as points you didn't cover in the lead, and some statistics. A great way to do so is with bullets.

You can also place bulleted items in a box or shade them. Prioritize your bulleted items and list them in order of their importance because readers may not get through the entire list. Write five to seven bullets, with five being preferable. Each bulleted item should not exceed two concise sentences, and one sentence is preferable. Write bullets crisply so they are short, clear, and hard hitting.

more tips at http://www.rickfrishman.com

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Book Publicity- the right way

Check this out - Here is how most authors approach publicity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxschLOAr-s

If you want to learn how to promote your book come to
Author101University on May 29 in LA

Learn from Mark Victor Hansen

www.author101university.com

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The Query Letter- Non Fiction

The Query Letter Content, Non-Fiction

In previous posts, we've explained why professionals prefer short, succinct query letters, and how to present them. It's time to consider the query letter's content.

For query letters, you should use:

a business-type letterhead that gives your name and contact information basic white or off-white 8½ x 11-inch paper a standard typeface that can be read easily; avoid script or other typefaces that are difficult to read, even if you think they are eye-catching 10- or 12-point type black ink margins of 1½ inches at the top and bottom, and at least 1 inch on the sides an insert of a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the proper amount of postage All enclosures sent with your query letter should be typed on good quality paper stock and in black ink. Don't get fancy or, worse yet, cute. Avoid bold colors, gimmicky borders, or other features that could distract from your message.

Strive for brevity and clarity. Make your letters short, well-written, and to the point. Your main objective should be to get your foot in the door and to make the publisher curious enough to ask for more information about your book. The best way to do so is to clearly and professionally communicate the specialness of your book idea in plain, straightforward, easily understood English.

Make sure you've researched, so your letter isn't headed for immediate rejection: "An immediate turnoff is when I receive an inquiry that shows that the writer hasn't done enough research," agent Edward Knappman, of New England Publishing Associates, explains. "If I get an inquiry regarding a novel, it's obvious that they haven't done enough research to learn that we don't handle fiction. If they haven't researched our agency, the first thing I ask is, 'How can they do enough research for the book?'"

Another instant turnoff occurs when the agent's name or the firm's name is misspelled. Remarkably, agents have informed us, such misspellings are all too common.

A nonfiction query letter MUST include:

A tight lead sentence describing your book. The lead sentence should be a grabber that hooks the reader and makes him or her want to read further. So sculpt your lead artfully.
Give the title, length, and what the book is about. Questions/answers, statistics and anecdotes can also make effective opening sentences. Explain why you selected this agent or publisher to query. It could be that the agent or publisher was recommended to you by one of their authors, or that you loved a book that he or she handled, which you feel is similar to your title. Agents and editors may respond more favorably to writers who have done their homework and know something about them and their work.

Keep your lead to two or two and a half lines. In you need to round off your lead or to add other crucial information that didn't fit in your lead, add another short sentence, no more than a line or two. If you have celebrity status, work it into the lead or second sentence.

A paragraph or two supporting and amplifying the lead.
a. Provide more details on:

i. the subject of the book

ii. why your book is special or how it differs from other books

iii. the market for the book

iv. how the book is organized or formatted

v. why it will interest editors

b. Point out problems that your book will solve and concrete ways that it will help readers.

c. Include facts or statistics that show the size of your book's potential market.

d. State whether the manuscript has been written or when you expect to complete it.

3. Your biography. Don't just use your standard resume or only stress your educational and business background, but show why you're so uniquely qualified to write this book. Include your past writing credits, awards in your field, and your platform. Sell them, don't just tell them!

4. A summary statement. Thank the recipient for his or her time and offer to send additional materials such as a proposal, sample chapters, or the manuscript.

Write a sound bite for your book, which many call an "elevator speech" because it can be delivered in the time it takes to go from the first to the second floor. Your sound bite should give a brief description that you can reel off in ten to fifteen seconds. When you perfect your sound bite, you can use it when you query agents and editors, write book proposals, and tell others about your book.

When you write your sound bite, remember the observation of theater impresario David Belasco: "If you can't write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don't have a clear idea."

From AUTHOR 101 (Book Proposals)
http://www.author101.com

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Congratulations- You are now an author!
originally posted: April 12, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE NOW AN AUTHOR- NOW ACT LIKE ONE...

Now that your are an author you need to be visiting bookstores-a lot! Go into several of your local bookstores and make sure the manager knows that you are a local author. Set up lectures- seminars- not booksignings.

Lets face it- you are probably not a celebrity and they won't come and line up around the block for a typical "booksigning".
When you are on the road - visit bookstores and when you find your book-put it face out. Carry signed by author stickers with you and sign the books. Meet the manager and see if he/she will order more books or put the signed ones on a table out front.

Being an author is an every day job- Keep working it- it will pay off.

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Get Your Domain Names Now
originally posted: September 28, 2007

***A Rick Tip***

GET YOUR DOMAIN NAMES NOW!..... DON'T WAIT

You MUST have your name, misspellings of your name, The Title of your book, all reserved WAY before your book comes out. In Fact- If you are thinking for writing a book- I want you to write down TEN potential titles for your book NOW and reserve them today. How much does it cost to reserve a URL....? $50? $30? $20? nope $8.95. We have a special web site getter for authors that is VERY CHEAP. Go to http://www.rickscheapdomains.com

You must reserve all of these URL's today. URLS are real estate. If you can't get your name- (it is taken) Here is what you do. Lets say your name is John Smith - and you can't get it. Try to get THEJOHNSMITH.COM or THE ORIGINALJOHNSMITH.COM or JOHNMITHAUTHOR.COM or JOHNSMITHSPEAKER.COM. Got it? If you can't get the URL for the title of your book- better start thinking of another title.

Also... ALWAYS get DOT COM! Not DOT NET or DOT BIZ . So do it today- it is only $8.95 http://www.rickscheapdomains.com

Happy Hunting!

Make sure to get your "Million Dollar Rolodex" at
http://www.rickfrishman.com

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Rick Frishman
Founder Planned TV Arts

Rick Frishman, founder of Planned Television Arts, has been one of the leading book publicists in America for over 30 years.

Rick continues to work with many of the top editors, agents and publishers in America including Simon and Schuster, Random House, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Penguin Putnam, and Hyperion Books. Some of the authors he has worked with include Mitch Albom, Bill Moyers, Stephen King, Caroline Kennedy, Howard Stern, President Jimmy Carter, Mark Victor Hansen, Hugh Downs, Henry Kissinger, Jack Canfield, Alan Deshowitz, Arnold Palmer, and Harvey Mackay. Rick has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows and has been a guest on "Oprah"

In addition to his work at PTA, Rick is now publisher at Morgan James Publishing in New York. www.morganjamespublishing.com