The following are a few pieces of advice from my friend, book publicist Irwin Zucker:
“Radio is a very good medium for steady, progressive publicity. But for massive exposure, nothing beats a national TV show like Oprah's. We all want that and other hot TV shows. Good local TV shows are needed as well and the news segments of TV stations mean a lot to gain sales.”
What then is the value of radio? “Radio is very, very important because you get more time with this medium and you can rise to the occasion with your viewpoints. Interviews in daily papers are also essential as well as book reviews. I think a good balance of radio, TV and print can generate sales on a book that really has it between the covers.”
The caveat is: “You can't make a lousy book a bestseller no matter how intensive the PR might be. In the end the public tells us whether a book is good or not--based on sales. That’s the reality. You’ve got to have the product to win this type of ballgame.”
For information on Irwin's services, contact him at Promotions in Motion: 323-461-3921.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Media Love People Stories
Just a tidbit of advice from a senior producer at the Entertainment Tonight TV show:
“Show us how your item works. Show us where our viewers can get it. If it’s a book, a show or a drug — put it up there. Also, show us real people — not just product. We have an enormous appetite for people over product.”
All TV programs have an enormous appetite for people over product. In fact, all media have such an appetite. Give them people. Give them stories they can use. Focus on benefits to people not features of a product.
Entertainment Tonight, Sharlette Hambrick, Senior Producer, Paramount Pictures TV, 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90036; 213-954-2597; Fax: 213-954-2661. Web: http://www.etonline.com.
Excerpted from Bulldog Reporter's Journalists Speak Out on PR ezine. Web: http://www.bulldogreporter.com.
“Show us how your item works. Show us where our viewers can get it. If it’s a book, a show or a drug — put it up there. Also, show us real people — not just product. We have an enormous appetite for people over product.”
All TV programs have an enormous appetite for people over product. In fact, all media have such an appetite. Give them people. Give them stories they can use. Focus on benefits to people not features of a product.
Entertainment Tonight, Sharlette Hambrick, Senior Producer, Paramount Pictures TV, 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90036; 213-954-2597; Fax: 213-954-2661. Web: http://www.etonline.com.
Excerpted from Bulldog Reporter's Journalists Speak Out on PR ezine. Web: http://www.bulldogreporter.com.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Promoting Your Books: Just Do It
I don't have much to say today, but I do know that one of the most important things about marketing books is very simple. You have to act. You can't sit on your butt and expect people to come to you. You have to create the word of mouth by doing publicity, giving talks, creating links on the Internet, creating relationships everywhere, and more. Then, and only then, will people come to you to buy your book.
Just do it! A great slogan for a shoe company. Practical advice for any book author or publisher.
Do it today.
Just do it! A great slogan for a shoe company. Practical advice for any book author or publisher.
Do it today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)