How to Get Publicity for Your Book Launch with Paige Dungan
Nov 14, 2023
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PR guru Paige Dungan shares insights on getting media attention for book launches, building relationships with reporters, knowing your target audience, and avoiding common PR mistakes. She discusses the power of TV and podcasting for book publicity and offers tips on securing a big national TV hit. Paige emphasizes the importance of persistence while respecting those you pitch to.
Authors should start planning their PR strategy at least six months prior to the book launch to ensure impactful media coverage and avoid a dip in sales after the initial success.
Podcast appearances and national television shows like Today Show or Good Morning America can significantly contribute to book sales, so authors should align their media efforts with their target audience and leverage these platforms for maximum impact.
Deep dives
The Importance of Planning PR for Book Launches
One of the biggest mistakes authors make is not planning their PR strategy in advance. PR should not be an afterthought but an integral part of the book launch process. Authors should start planning at least six months prior to the launch date to ensure impactful media coverage. It is crucial to give yourself enough lead time to secure placements in larger outlets and build relationships with book producers. A year-long media plan is recommended to maintain momentum and continue reaching new audiences throughout the first year. By treating PR as a strategic and ongoing effort, authors can avoid experiencing a dip in sales after initial launch success and instead sustain a steady flow of media attention.
PR Mediums that Drive Book Sales
While PR can contribute to book sales, it is important to have a focused approach that goes beyond traditional media coverage. One medium that consistently moves the needle on book sales is podcasting. Podcast appearances can be highly effective in converting listeners into book buyers, especially when targeting engaged audiences. Authors should not dismiss smaller podcasts as they can still have a significant impact on sales. Additionally, national television appearances, particularly on shows like Today Show or Good Morning America, can result in a substantial number of book sales. Local TV stations should not be overlooked either, as they can lead to national exposure by leveraging their clips. It is essential to align media efforts with the target audience and leverage both podcasting and television to drive book sales.
Building Relationships with Book Producers
To increase the chances of securing a national TV appearance, authors must communicate with the right people. It is crucial to identify book producers at shows like Today Show or Good Morning America and establish direct contact with them. Building relationships with book producers takes time and requires strategic communication. Rather than spamming them with follow-ups, authors should respect their inbox and only communicate when there is a response. Connecting with producers on social media can also be beneficial in creating familiarity and exposure. When pitching for a TV appearance, authors should link their book to breaking news or timely topics, positioning themselves as problem-solvers. Persistence and continuous improvement of the pitch are key to increasing the odds of landing a national TV hit.
Strategies for Building Credibility and Trust with Reporters
Building credibility and trust with reporters is essential for successful PR. Offering yourself as a source for their stories is an effective way to start building relationships. By finding journalists who cover topics related to your expertise and reaching out to offer assistance, authors can establish themselves as valuable sources. It is crucial to focus on solving the reporter's problem rather than pitching your book directly. Authors should keep initial communication concise, no longer than 250 words, respecting the high volume of emails journalists receive. Another strategy is becoming a contributor to media outlets, providing valuable content and expertise. By starting with smaller publications and working up to larger ones, authors can steadily elevate their personal brand and book's visibility.
The media doesn’t care about your book until you have proven yourself as an expert! The incredible PR guru, Paige Dungan, joins us today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast to discuss publicity for book launches. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what authors need to know about getting media attention for their books, how to build a relationship with the media, knowing your target audience, and the biggest mistakes authors make in PR for their books. We discuss how TV and podcasting can bring you great publicity for your book before delving into the ways you can get a great national TV hit for your book launch. Finally, Paige reminds us not to give up on our book launch pitches while respecting those we are pitching to. You don’t want to miss this one so press play now!
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