Selling to Staples
Have you been to your local Staples recently? If you have you've probably seen how they've expanded their book section. If you think your book is perfect for their store, shoot them an e-mail at newproducts@staples.com to get their new product submission form (don't forget to put New Product in the subject line).
Happy Selling!
Big Changes in Radio
Satellite radio is giving the traditional stations a run for their money. The truth is that listeners aren't turning to radio as much as they used to for music, they're getting their tunes online. Because of this, stations are pushing more talk and in fact, are going to more "female format" filling the airways with "chick radio" and talk shows. So if you think satellite is killing radio, think again - the new satellite trend may open up a lot of new airwaves for you!
What's a Platform?
In the publishing industry, platform is code for "built in sales," by this we mean the specifics that an author brings to a particular project relative to expertise, media experience, perhaps a business - basically it's the authors ability to sell the book. Keep in mind that recognition on a national level for who you are relative to your credentials is important. If you have books that have sold, that's part of your platform too. If you're trying to build platform, it's also a bad idea to switch genres or topics because it's important to vest yourself or do your due diligence within a particular market
Ethical Bribes
So what's an ethical bribe? Well it's something of value that you give your web visitor in order to get something. Like what? Well for example when you click on my site:
http://amarketingexpert.com and subscribe to this newsletter you a get a list of our Top 50 Media Contacts. No kidding. Names, emails, addresses the whole shebang.
If you haven't had much luck getting folks to sign up for your newsletter on your site consider offering an "ethical bribe." So what do you get? Well you get their email address that you can market to via your newsletter. We saw an increase of nearly 50% in signups when we did this and readers love it! They get something of value and we get to stay in touch with the folks who visit our site!
The Best Day to Pitch
Ok, so we've all heard that the worst day in the world to make pitching or sales calls is Monday, right? Wrong. Turns out you'll find more people in the office on a Monday than on any other day of the week. If you're broadcasting a news release Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to do this. Avoid Fridays as many clipping services don't pick up Friday releases or don't pick them up until Saturday, some news sources use these to review information for potential stories.
Books for New Orleans
New Orleans Public Library is asking for any and all hardcover and paperback books to restock the shelves after Katrina. The library staff will assess which titles will be designated for the shelves. The rest will be distributed to destitute families or sold for library fundraising. The books can be sent to:
Rica A Trigs, Public Relations
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112
If you tell the post office that the books are for the library in New Orleans, they will give you the library rate that is less than book rate.
Penguin Perspective
More good news for unknown authors! A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that Penguin, a major New York publisher, welcomes new authors - in fact new author acquisition was up last year to 6% up from 3% in 2004. Penguin publishes approx 2,500 titles each year of that 150 in were new authors (in 2005). Penguin is known for having discovered Sue Monk Kidd through their new author out reach and no doubt hopes that this increased focus on new voices will unearth another diamond, or two. Maybe you?
A *Real* Virtual Book Signing
Let's face it, the Net is where it's at these days especially when it comes to book promotion. To toot our own for a minute (because I am, after a marketier!), our Virtual Author Tours have been wildly successful, why? Because we dig right into the marketing, readers, and audiences and capture them - there is no other place this is possible. You can't do it with traditional media and you certainly can't do it in a bookstore. But the Virtual Author Tour for all of its success, lacked one thing: a signed book. Sure, we could mail signed books on request but there's something about having the author sign it *live* during an event. Well folks believe it or not someone's found a solution for this signing dilemma. Margaret Atwood, tired of traipsing around the country developed an electronic pen that will allow an author in California to do a book signing in India without leaving their home. Intrigued? So were we, check out this great article we found online today:
http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/news/article349556.ece
7 Media Myths that will Kill Your Campaign!
Myth #1: A good news release is all you need to get "ink"
The days of the "one size fits all" news releases are gone. Now it's all about customizing and knowing what the media target you're pitching is looking for. Making one release isn't a bad idea, but use it as a starting point, not the final message.
Myth #2: Mention your book every chance you get
The surest way to kill an interview (and your chances of getting asked back) is when you mention your book over and over. When you say things like: "as I wrote in my book" you'll cheapen your message and make it look too sales-like. Viewers hate being sold, give them solid information and they'll buy your book because they'll want to know more.
Myth #3: You must answer every question the media asks you
Despite all your research and expertise, you can't expect to know everything. If you don't know an answer don't lie or speculate. It's much better to say: "You know I don't know the answer to that question, but I'm happy to look into it and get back to you," than to make up a story that will make you (and the reporter) look bad.
Myth #4: You can use advertising dollars to influence media interviews
If you're trying to get some airtime or print placement, do not ever elude to buying ad space in order to get them to commit to an interview. This is a completely unethical thing to do, conversely, if someone is trying to get you to buy an ad in order to be considered for their publication or program run for the hills.
Myth #5: Use big, complicated words; they'll make you sound savvy
It's unfortunate, but the "dumbing down of America" is a necessary trend and one you shouldn't overlook. Do not use complicated industry jargon to impress your audience (unless you're speaking to industry experts), you will only confuse them and alienate the person interviewing you.
Myth #6: Emotion is a bad thing
Marketing fact: People buy on emotion. Whether it's happy, sad, or angry. Make them feel something and you'll send them straight to your Web site to buy your book. Now I'm not suggesting that you fall apart on camera, but emotion is a good thing. Look human! If it's a subject that you're passionate about, look passionate! If it's a terrible thing you went through that you're writing about, let your audience "feel" that emotion right along with you!
Myth #7: You should never even consider doing an interview without media training
Don't get me wrong, media training is a great thing, but media training without the proper interview prep work can lead to a disaster. For example, don't assume because you're media trained that you can survive any interview without researching the show or publication. Even worse, don't put all your focus on your media training and then forget to update your data to support your interview.
