by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Thu May 16, 2013
Part 8 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
As a book publicist working with authors from all walks of life, we’re often asked to explain the difference between book publicity and advertising.
When a book is launched, the goal is to create awareness about the author and his or her title for a variety of reasons including sparking book sales, building the author’s brand, positioning the author as an expert, and/or attracting professional opportunities for the author such as speaking engagements, professional advancement, and future publishing options.
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Wed May 15, 2013
Part 7 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Tue May 14, 2013
Part 6 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
NetGalley is an online venue where we upload digital books and make them available to over 100,000 reviewers, media, librarians, booksellers, bloggers and educators. NetGalley delivers digital galleys and promotional materials to professional readers and helps promote new and upcoming titles. It’s a great way to get exposure and recommendations for a book!
1. NetGalley saves everyone money.
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Sat May 11, 2013
Part 5 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
Here are 5 tips to building local awareness:
1. Contact your local library: If you are an author, chances are they already know you. Tell them about your book (circulation manager or acquisitions manager are titles to ask for). Brainstorm on ideas to get your book available in their library and send friends to check it out at the library to build demand. Ask about doing and event or reading.
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Thu May 9, 2013
Part 4 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
The inspiration for this topic came from one of our authors. She is a highly credentialed, successful businesswoman. In a conversation last week about plans for the next stage of her campaign, I thanked her for all her hard work. Her quick answers to her publicist’s questions, willingness to do all media interviews and bylined articles offered to her, and her proactive input about news stories related to her expertise has made her campaign extremely successful.
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Wed May 8, 2013
Part 3 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
It’s easy to be tempted to ignore or at least not be excited about the prospect of an interview on a small radio station. Some authors think a tiny station will have few listeners, and it may not be worth the time to do the interview.
First, this isn't necessarily true. Think about it: How many people does a small, 1000 watt station in the middle of New York City reach? Millions.
Second, you never know who is listening. We’ve booked authors on stations as small as 250 watts in remote areas of the country. In fact, a famous Smith Publicity story regarding an interview on a tiny station has been told many, many times. It drives home the point as to why every interview is important, and also gives an example of what a clever pitch can do.
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Tue May 7, 2013
Part 2 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
1.) Watch TV and listen to the radio. If you want to get exposure for your book by securing broadcast interviews, then it makes sense that you should watch the types of shows you want be on. Seems like common sense, but many authors don’t do this. Listen to your local talk radio station and get the feel for the rhythm and pacing of radio interviews. Watch television shows, both locally and nationally, which interview authors. Particularly with television, you’ll come to appreciate how relatively little time you will actually have on the air, and why you have to be concise in your answers and stay on topic.
by Sandra Poirier ...
Bowker | Mon May 6, 2013
Part 1 in a Series of Book Marketing and Publicity Tips from Smith Publicity
While many books are launched in September or January, summer provides a great venue for authors to spread the word out about their books. Remember, newspapers, radio shows, magazines, etc. are still looking for entertaining, informative content!
New activities and hobbies. Both fiction and non-fiction books can be tapped for summer exploration of new interests. For example, if you have a non-fiction book about investing, a solid angle would be talking to your children about investing and projects parents and children can do together during summer for financial literacy. If your novel is about a musician, promote your book by offering tips on how summer is a great time for adults to take up an instrument.
by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Wed Apr 3, 2013
Books in Print lists about 28 million ISBNs that are actively being bought and sold in the US, UK and Australia.
This, of course, does not include books with no ISBNs, and is not a global figure. But it's enough of a number to emphasize the point that there are an awful lot of books out there. And a self-published author, without the marketing and PR engine of a large publishing house behind her, or the funds to take out TV advertising time, desperately needs her readers to find her book amid these millions of others.
by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Tue Mar 12, 2013
The ISBN was invented in the 1960s, when British bookseller W. H. Smith began computerizing its distribution system. It became an ISO standard in 1970, and now the ISBN forms the backbone of the book supply chain around the world. Certainly there are plenty of books published that do not have ISBNs. Proprietary publications that are not traded, for example, don’t require ISBNs. Books that are sold in “walled garden” environments don’t require ISBNs. So why use them?
