Posts Tagged ‘book marketing’

6 Steps for Finding the Best PR Firm for You & Your Book

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

By Fauzia Burke

Most authors know that a public relations effort for their book is essential for their success. In order to have a campaign to promote their book comprehensively, many look to augment their publisher’s efforts by hiring a PR agency. But how do you choose the right PR firm for your book? Here are six steps to help make that choice easier:

Step 1: Needs and Goals

Before you begin your search, think about your PR goals. What is it that you want? Do you want to be on TV? Do you want reviews in newspapers? Or, do you want to build exposure online? Whom do you want to reach? Do you know your target demographic? How long do you want to work with a PR agency? Do you want to work with a PR agency for a one-time book or project or for multiple projects longer term? Once you identify your goals, you’ll be able to find an agency that can help you achieve them.

Step 2: Referrals

Your search should always start by asking your agent, publisher or fellow authors for referrals of people they have worked with so you can have some names to begin the process. You can compare and contrast the agencies you have, and find the right fit for you. You can also work the process backward and find a successful book that’s in the same realm as your book, and find out what PR firm that author used.

Step 3: Web Research

Look up the agency online. Check out their website and social networks as well as their current and past projects and testimonials. Find out how long they have been in business and what types of people they work with. In our connected age, it’s easy to do your homework ahead of time to be able to narrow down your list based on your research. It’s 2012 so make sure the agency you select is connected in the social media world — Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If they are connected digitally, they will be able to help promote and advice you in the social media space.

Step 4: First Contact

Begin contacting several firms to pick the one that is right for you. Collect information on prices, timeline and availability. Find out more about their area of specialty and expertise. Make sure your book is the type of book the PR agency tends to work with and promote. Now you can narrow your list further.

Step 5: Interview

Once you’ve narrowed down your list based on your budget, goals and timing, you should set up an interview with each PR firm by phone or in-person. A good firm will want to talk with you as well to make sure the fit is perfect. They should also encourage you to talk with other PR firms. Before you schedule the interview, give the firm the opportunity to learn about your book so you can hear their ideas and decide if you like what you are hearing. Ask questions just as if you are interviewing someone for a job. Find out the publications and media outlets where they have built relationships. Remember a good PR agency should have an established network of media contacts. Make sure the agency you are talking to understands your brand. You can even request a preliminary proposal of how they would go about publicizing your book. Good PR agencies have strong track records.

Step 6: The Final Decision

The most important part of your decision process should really be your instincts. It’s all about knowing and liking the PR agency you are going to work with, because if you don’t like the person initially, you will most likely be dissatisfied in the long run. Did you establish rapport upon initial contact? During the interview phase, which firm stood out? What agency do you like, respect and trust the most? In the end, go with your gut, and you will make the best decision for you and your book.

Along with results, a good PR agency should give you valuable information for building your brand and to amplify the exposure you are getting. In the end, it is all about the collaboration so pick your team carefully.

© 2012 Fauzia Burke. All Rights Reserved.

Author Bio
Fauzia Burke is the Founder and President of FSB Associates, a digital publicity and marketing firm specializing in creating awareness for books and authors. For online publicity, book publishing and social media news, follow Fauzia on Twitter: @FauziaBurke. To talk with FSB and ask your book publicity questions, please join us on Facebook.

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4 Ways to Maximize Your Book’s Content on Social Media

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

If you are a published author, you’ve already done the hard part: You wrote your book and got it published. But don’t stop there. If you want to become known as an expert in your field, you need to build your personal brand. There are all sorts of ways you can utilize the content in your book to market yourself in the world of social media.

As an author of non-fiction, here are four ways you can maximize your book’s content:

  1. Tweet it. If you peruse your book, you will easily see quick sentences that pop out at you as quotable and are perfect for tweets. Look for those compelling quotes that showcase your expertise and are less than 140 characters. Find short quotes that people are likely to retweet. Create a hashtag using your book title each time you tweet to promote your book and create a dialog stream. You also can ask questions related to your book’s content to encourage conversation with your followers.
  2. Write a Facebook Post. You can create Facebook posts from quotes or excerpts from your book that are a little bit longer than tweets. Snippets from your book that are helpful to others or inspire dialogue among your Facebook followers make for ideal posts. You can also use the content of your book to write all sorts of tips. Tips are a great way to brand you as an expert because they are short, highly readable and easily shared. When your Facebook followers share your tips, they are helping promote you and your book.
  3. Create lists. To inspire more interest in your book or in you, create short lists that highlight your content. For example, if you wrote a cookbook, you could write a short list entitled, “Three Recipes You Can Try This Week” and use those three recipes to promote your entire cookbook. If your book is about fighting depression, write a short article on “Five Ways to Tackle Your Depression.” Articles that are written as quick, numbered lists appeal to people who are short on time but interested in your content. You can include a link to purchase your book and links to your social media sites within each article. Reach out to people who are likely to share your lists and soon others will be helping you to build your brand. You also can sign up for HARO, or Help A Reporter Out, and look for opportunities to share your tip lists with media outlets that are looking precisely for the type of content you write about. It’s a free opportunity to get press for your book.
  4. Compile a Blog. Each of the chapter headings in your book can be turned into blogs. Tease the content in your book by writing a shorter version of a chapter in blog form. It’s a simple way to create a quick blog and tout your book with a sampling tease of your content. Any stories you tell in your book or personal anecdotes you share also make for compelling blogs. Make sure to always include a link to purchase your book in every blog you write. It’s best to keep that in your bio.

Once your book is published, you have a library of material ready for marketing. Market your book and your expertise in the social media world with the valuable content you have already created. Foster your brand and become known as an expert in your particular niche by maximizing the content of your book. If you are reading this blog before you have published your book, start using these tips today. By the time you get published, you’ll have a following and a platform. Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions.

© 2012 Fauzia Burke. All Rights Reserved.

For digital publicity and social media news, follow Fauzia on Twitter: @FauziaBurke.

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