One of the biggest challenges for authors trying to promote their books is knowing where to start. It seems like there are so many opportunities for coverage out there \u2013 websites, blogs, radio shows, TV programs, newspapers, magazines\u2026 the list goes on \u2013 so where the heck do you begin?<\/p>\n
The most\u00a0effective book publicity \u2013 the type that results in actual book\u00a0sales \u2013 comes down to answering these basic questions well, in my experience: who am I and what\u2019s my story, and who is my reader?<\/p>\n
The first asks you to think about the unique selling points of not only your book but also your personal history: what unusual or noteworthy\u00a0experiences have you had?\u00a0What qualifies you to comment on a particular subject? Does your\u00a0situation\u00a0mean you bring an interesting perspective to an issue? The results of your investigations here are potential story ideas \u2013 ways for media to talk about\u00a0you and, by extension, your book \u2013 that you will offer\u00a0to journalists.<\/p>\n
Answering the second question will help you decide where to pitch your ideas, and it requires careful thought \u2013 and\u00a0a healthy dose\u00a0of brutal honesty! Very few books appeal\u00a0to everyone.\u00a0<\/em>While I understand the desire to see your book in as many hands as possible and maximise sales, a lack of focus about your target reader will lead you on a wild goose chase of pitching ideas to journalists who are\u00a0simply never going to cover your book.\u00a0<\/em>And receiving endless rejections of inappropriate pitches is demoralising and exhausting. It\u2019s far better to settle upon two or three target readerships and then hit the media they consume \u2013 a better use of time and more likely to produce results.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve written a book about raising children in our increasingly tech-heavy world, and settled upon these potential readers:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simply make a list of media outlets published in your location who appeal to these demographics. Consider print (newspapers and magazines), broadcast (TV and radio) and online (websites and blogs), and don\u2019t forget\u00a0trade\/professional publications. Check\u00a0online advertising\u00a0kits (most major outlets will have them) to confirm that their audience fits your requirements, or use sites like magshop.com.au, magazines.com or newsstand.co.uk, which helpfully organise the publications available in your area by interest\/demographic. Aim for a list of about 20 media outlets to begin with.<\/p>\n The previously myriad media\u00a0options\u00a0available to you should\u00a0seem much more manageable now. Simply start matching story ideas with\u00a0media outlets and get pitching!<\/p>\n\n