Press Releases Keep Your Books in the Public Eye
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.
Don’t save press releases just for new title launches. Use press releases regularly to keep your book titles in the public eye. One easy way to do this is to watch the media. When a news story comes along that ties into a theme in one of your books (fiction or nonfiction), immediately draft a new press release to communicate how your particular book addresses the issues raised by the news story. Remember to name the author as an expert on the subject and include how the author can be reached for further comments or an interview in your press release.
If writing a press release intimidates you, help is close by. A number of websites offer press release writing tips as well as press release templates that are easy to follow. Two such websites are www.preweb.com and www.press-network.com. You can also find a few sample fiction book press releases at www.directcontactpr.com.
After you draft your captivating press release, the next step is to send it to news editors and talk show producers. A number of avenues are available to assist you in this endeavor.
1. Press Release Services
A number of free press release submittal services exist on the web. These free services submit your press release content to search engines on the web. Then your press release is available for anyone searching for key words listed in your release. Basically, these free press release services put your information out over the web via search engines, but they do not directly target journalists or talk show hosts. In other words, your free press release is only discovered if someone types the key words listed in your release into a search engine.
If you are willing to spend a little money, these same press release services will place your press release in front of targeted newspaper editors and talk show producers for a fee. With a good press release, and the right targeted service, you can actually generate newspaper stories, book reviews, and radio interviews!
Press Release Services on the web include:
2. Develop Your Own Press Release List
For those on a tight budget, it is possible to develop your own press release list and submit press releases manually via email or fax to news editors and talk show producers. While this route saves money over the long haul, it is labor intensive. If you want to develop your own press release distribution list, here are two sources that list newspapers and radio stations by locale to help you get started in securing names and contact information.
The media is always looking for a new story. Journalists and talk show hosts need material for their audiences. Press releases are a great way to regularly feed material to the media. Fuel your marketing with great press releases. Keep your eye on the news, write interesting press releases with great stories or tips, and your books can remain viable as a news sources for years to come.
Sarah Bolme is the owner of Crest Publications (www.crestpub.com) and the director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net). You can contact Sarah at cspa@christianpublishers.net. Sarah’s newest book, Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, can be found at www.marketingchristianbooks.com. ©2007
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February 6th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
This is a very helpful article. I am very excited about linls you provided.
I am new to self-publishing. My sister who wrote “The Widow’s Might” asked me to help her self-publish the second edition of her book and to do the promotion for her.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.