Special Guest Blogger L. Diane Wolfe!
Happy Friday!
I hope everybody had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
I hope everybody had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
I'm very excited to have author and speaker, L. Diane Wolfe
from her blog Spunk on a Stick.
She has a new book called HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW.
from her blog Spunk on a Stick.
She has a new book called HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW.
Since every author can use a little help in the promo department (especially ME), I thought it would be great to have her here on my blog to talk about some insights she gives in her book.
So please give her a warm welcome!
***
Pitching the media
Media exposure
can do so much for an author's career. We have so many possibilities: radio, TV,
newspapers, magazines, and the various online versions of each. How do we secure
an interview or feature and place ourselves in front of our target audience
though?
Before we go any further, we need to understand media pitches. What is the media seeking? Let's begin with what the media does not seek:
I'm an author and this is my new book.
Here's a tip: The media doesn't care. We are just one of thousands of authors who have released a book today big deal! Even if the program focuses on authors, or it's our local newspaper or TV broadcast, we've got to come up with a more compelling reason for them to interview us.
Here's what the media is looking for: Experts. They want expert advice and information for their audience. Remember, we researched and wrote a book. We are experts in one or more areas. The media wants to talk to us about those subjects not about our book.
So how do we pitch ourselves to the media? What's our approach? Here are some suggested angles:
· Expose vital new information
· Provide expert advice by tying in with a current event
· Show people how to solve their problems
· Show people how to be healthier, younger, or sexier
· Show people how to make or save money
· Tie in with political or charitable organizations
· If applicable, provide any of the above with a dose of entertainment
The media is looking for ways to educate their audience. We give them what they want, focus on the topic, and will be rewarded with an opportunity to mention our book. If it's obvious promoting our book is our only agenda, the media will look elsewhere.
Select an angle the media just can't resist!
Professional Speaker & Author
Known
as Spunk On A Stick, Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association
and the author of numerous books. Her latest title, How to Publish and Promote Your Book
Now, covers her publishing seminars in depth and provides an overview of
the entire process from idea to market. Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The
Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting, ties her goal-setting and leadership
seminars together into one complete, enthusiastic package. Her YA series, The
Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories. Wolfe
travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a
dozen websites & blogs, and assists writers through her author
services..
HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE
YOUR BOOK NOW!
BY L. DIANE
WOLFE
Publishing and
promoting made simple!
Have you always
dreamed of publishing a book but didnt know where to begin? This book walks you
through the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online
presence, and generating publicity. Get the whole story
on:
· Traditional publishing
· Self-publishing
· Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution
· Finding your target audience
· Generating reviews and media interest
· Networking and developing an online presence
· Promotional materials and appearances
Uncover your
ideal publishing path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing
is your dream. Give it the best chance for success!
Publishing/Marketing, 214 pages
$14.95 Trade
paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2 Amazon
$4.99 Ebook
ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0
She gives an unbiased take on the advantages and
disadvantages of traditional publishing and self-publishing and publishing paths
that combine the two
It's the perfect book for those who want an overview to
begin the decision-making process.
- Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning
series of how-to books for writers http://howtodoitfrugally.com/
A must-read
for writers planning on self-publishing or any writer who wants the ultimate
how-to on promoting. Tons of links, advice, and how-to, whether you're going for
print or e-publication.
I never think of the media, because I'm usually so concerned with my small little blogiverse.
Wonderful advice!
So thankful she stopped by today!
Have you read L. Diane's book yet?
Does the aspect of approaching the media give you the hives?
If you are an author, is that an avenue of promo that you have pursued or neglected?
26 comments:
I wonder if I can work in the Ninja angle? Not that I ever want to be on TV or the radio!
Great tips! And you're so right--how to be "healthier, younger, or sexier" will *always* be popular, as will "richer."
I'm really enjoying L. Diane's guest posts - I learn something new with each one.
This is a great book. She's knows the know-how.
Wow, that is some really amazing advice, and sadly, I just realized how very unhelpful my stories are for other people. At least now I know why I've never been on TV before!!
Excellent advice! I'm grabbing this one!
Great tips! Thank you Diane and Jennifer!
Guess I'll never be a TV star :)
Happy Weekend!
Great advice. I'm getting this one. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth, those are the angles.
Linda, I hope that helps you then.
Thank you so much, everyone.
Approaching the media does give me hives - but that's a great tip!!! Foucsing on something we know rather than us is a lot easier! :)
The media wants you to pay to directly promote your product. You have to be the story and not be just trying to sell your story.
Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
Absolutely! Telling people how to make more money, find true love, and look twenty years younger will definitely open up lots of opportunities for media exposure. Darn it, too bad I don't write about any of that stuff.
No, I haven't read this book yet, but I sure have heard a lot of good things about it. It sounds like just the kind of tool every writer needs.
Lee, never pay to promote. I got one of those phone call scams this weekend.
Susan, it can work for fiction books, too.
she's an absolute doll! thanks for hosting her and her great book
Thanks for great tips and congrats on the release Diane.
Thanks for bringing Diane, Jennifer!
Many thanks for sharing the helpful insights--cheers!
Good info. Thanks for sharing.
Writers become so engrossed in what they produce, they sometimes forget to concentrate on what the readers and media are looking for. As one person commented, we must learn to be the story in order to get the free exposure.
Diane's book sounds so good. I am taking note of it so I can get it when I need it.
Tammy, thank you.
CD, that's right!
Thank you, Nancy.
And thank you again, Jennifer.
This is great advice when doing blog tours to. I see heaps of plain promo posts, but a post such as you suggest is far more likely to attract my attention.
I have Diane's book and it is a winner! She created a great resource - for that, I'm very thankful! :)
Great advice. I think people forget that we're not on social media to buy people's stuff, you know? You have to do more than say, "this is my book." You have to show us what's appealing about it and also be interesting. It's tough selling your own work, but good advice here.
Shelly, promo posts are good, but they shouldn't be included in a blog tour because there is no new content for those following the tour.
Thank you so much, Karen.
Carolyn, we have to offer value.
I love this!! I need the book.
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