Friday, February 15, 2013

Special Guest Blogger L. Diane Wolfe!

Happy Friday!
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.
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:

 
·                     Educate the audience on a hot topic
·                     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.

 
Start brainstorming today.
Select an angle the media just can't resist!


 
L. Diane Wolfe
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 didn’t 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
Available in all Ebook formats: Barnes and Noble, Amazon
 

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.”

- Helen Ginger, author of Angel Sometimes http://helenginger.com/

 
                               ***

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:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I wonder if I can work in the Ninja angle? Not that I ever want to be on TV or the radio!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Great tips! And you're so right--how to be "healthier, younger, or sexier" will *always* be popular, as will "richer."

Susan Fields said...

I'm really enjoying L. Diane's guest posts - I learn something new with each one.

Karen Baldwin said...

This is a great book. She's knows the know-how.

Linda Kage said...

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!!

Jessica R. Patch said...

Excellent advice! I'm grabbing this one!

Jess said...

Great tips! Thank you Diane and Jennifer!

Carol Kilgore said...

Guess I'll never be a TV star :)

Happy Weekend!

Sutton Fox said...

Great advice. I'm getting this one. Thanks for sharing!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Elizabeth, those are the angles.

Linda, I hope that helps you then.

Thank you so much, everyone.

Jemi Fraser said...

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! :)

Arlee Bird said...

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

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

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.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Lee, never pay to promote. I got one of those phone call scams this weekend.

Susan, it can work for fiction books, too.

Tammy Theriault said...

she's an absolute doll! thanks for hosting her and her great book

Nas said...

Thanks for great tips and congrats on the release Diane.

Thanks for bringing Diane, Jennifer!

Anonymous said...

Many thanks for sharing the helpful insights--cheers!

Sandra Cox said...

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

cd sutton said...

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.

Nancy said...

Diane's book sounds so good. I am taking note of it so I can get it when I need it.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Tammy, thank you.

CD, that's right!

Thank you, Nancy.

And thank you again, Jennifer.

Shelley Munro said...

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.

Karen Lange said...

I have Diane's book and it is a winner! She created a great resource - for that, I'm very thankful! :)

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

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.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

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.

Jessica Ruud said...

I love this!! I need the book.