The majority of the people reading this article most likely fall into a group which I call the “Serious Hobbyist” type of self-publisher. This group needs to be especially careful navigating the self-publishing minefield because most of the “misinformation” out there on the Internet is aimed directly at you. Put your checkbook and credit card away until you have read this article.

If you can’t get journalists interested in writing about your book, it doesn’t matter how good your book is: It’s going to be hard to find an audience. So how can you pitch your book to journalists to get them interested? Here are some tips on effective media pitches.

Here at Selfpublishing.com we receive files every day – some are formatted wonderfully, and some leave a little to be desired. Some defy all the rules – so the following outline of do’s and don’ts should help many of our beginning publishers (and some of the ones who’ve been around for a while) make sure they don’t commit the more common design crimes.

One great avenue for keeping your books before potential customers is through press releases. Most publishers send out press releases when a new book is launched, but then place press releases on the back burner until a new important event happens. These publishers miss an economical and effective method for on-going marketing of their products.

As a book-marketing consultant, people come to me with their marketing plans in hand, asking how I can help them implement it. Unfortunately, in many cases their entire marketing plan consists of getting on the Oprah Winfrey Show. “Once I’m there,” they dream, “the people in her audience will love my book and I’ll sell millions of them.” This kind of fantasy marketing can cause authors to fail.

How many best sellers have you ever read that were dry, boring, or uninspired? Not many, I’d wager. Write an interesting, compelling book, and you’ll be ahead of the pack out of the gate. Sure, some people are inherently gifted when it comes to wordsmithing, but anyone can improve their skills by following a few simple guidelines. And remember what’s at stake – nothing less than the success of your book.

There are numerous writers’ conferences, book festivals and trade shows held all over the world throughout the year. Many writers attend these events as a way to meet publishers. These meetings are as much to the publisher’s benefit as the author’s as publishers are as eager to find good material as you are to locate a publisher for your project.