Book PR 1-2-3: Think Like a Journalist

Moderator and Speaker, Susannah Greenberg, Susannah Greenberg Public Relations, http://bookbuzz.com

Matt Sutherland, ForeWord Reviews, www.forewordreviews.com

Karen Schechner, Kirkus Reviews, www.kirkusreviews.com

Jeff O’Neal, www.BookRiot.com Q&A to follow.  Please ask questions!

BookBuzz.comThe Web Site of Susannah Greenberg Public Relations

What is the Goal of Book PR?

• To place features, interviews and reviews in the media about your book as early and as often as possible, with maximal exposure at and around launch or pub. date.

• Create buzz or “word of mouth”

A Book PR Timeline

• Plan ahead, as early as one year ahead of publication, no less than 4 months ahead, and continue at least one month after publication date.

• Start by making a checklist of what you need to get done and when.

• At the beginning, as you review your checklist, assess your skills and time management needs

GET READY!Prepare basic information about your book.A brief author bio, book description,

bibliographic data, a book jacket image, author photo, and your contact information.

You will need this information for all of your book pr efforts in both print and electronic formats.

A web site or page for your book.Plan for advance review copies for early review

media such as ForeWord and Kirkus, for bloggers and reader reviews, book news sites like BookRiot and to solicit blurbs or advance praise.

More Book PR Resources You Can Create and Use for Book PRA list of suggested interview questions for

media or talking points, topics you can discuss.

A sample audio and/or video interview or reading.

A story or interview or feature idea relating to your book.

Key social media platforms.  More on this.

Key Social Media PlatformsOpen accounts on Facebook, Twitter,

Goodreads and LinkedInBuild a free author page on Amazon Author

CentralMore social media might include Google+,

YouTube,Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, Spreecast, Slideshare

Start a blog on blogger.com or wordpress.comThe web page is home base for all your social

media

GET SET!The Strategy of Microtargeting: Think Small, Win

BigWho are your readers? Break it down to as many specific target interest groups

as you can. Find the appropriate media outlets for each target

interest.There is someone for everyone and a media outlet for

every interest and book.Begin your campaign by targeting those most likely to be

interested, then leverage coverage from them and build up and out from that foundation

Craft and tailor your pitch to each group.

The Great Gatsby - For Example

For The Great Gatsby, interests might include:Books, Fiction, Authors, WritingLocales of Long Island and NYC; the hotels, the bars, The

Plaza, Minetta Tavern, mansions, waterfronts, places frequented by both the fictional characters and author.

Music of the eraStyle - the art deco style in clothes, jewelry, and

architecture Beverages - the wines, gin and cocktails they drankJacket art design, all the Gatsby jacket designs over time,

in different countriesThe movie, the stars, Hollywood, books made into movies

GO!

Thinking Like a JournalistWhat will catch a journalist’s eye?What is your pitch, your angle, your story?Craft an entertaining or useful storyBe relevant

Thinking Like a Journalist:Events, Holidays, Anniversaries, Seasons

are a PR Opp for Your Book Journalists often write features related to

events, holidays, anniversaries and seasons. Chase’s Calendar of Events is a handy

resource for research.Did you know there is a National Grilled

Cheese Sandwich Day?  Also, November Is Jewish Book Month, February is Black History Month and March is Women’s History Month.

Thinking Like a Journalist Spotting Trends in Book NewsStay on top of book news.  You might see a book trend

which you are a part of and then pitch a story about a book trend.  Old chestnut in book pr : “Three is a trend.”

To stay on top of book news, read key book trade media such as Publishers Weekly, Publishers Lunch, Julie Bosman in the New York Times, Shelf Awareness, Galleycat, and more.

Read ForeWord, Kirkus and visit BookRiot onlineDo searches on social media such as Twitter and

Facebook on books, book publishing, authors, your book’s subject matter.

Key Points and SummaryPlan ahead. Begin at least 3-5 months BEFORE

PUBLICATION and continue for at least one month after.

Target your interest groups and their media outlets. Be as specific as possible. Microtarget.

Craft a story that informs, educates, and, if appropriate, entertains.

Reach out to all types of mediaUse all available tactics to reach media, old, new,

snail mail, email, social media, shaking hands and smoke signals if necessary!

That’s It from Me, Susannah Greenberg Susannah Greenberg Public Relations http://bookbuzz.com Book Publicity for Publishers, Authors  and the

Book Industry publicity@bookbuzz.com www.Facebook.com/SusannahGreenbergPublicRelations www.linkedin.com/in/susannahgreenberg Twitter: @suegreenbergpr Contact me to discuss your book publicity needs

Now Let’s Hear from the Media!

ForeWord

ForeWord

Karen Schechner

Kirkus Reviewswww.kirkus.com

• Visit www.Kirkus.com and click the “For Authors” tab for more about Kirkus Indie or

• Contact sr. Indie editor Karen Schechner: Kschechner@kirkus.com

BookRiot.com

Jeff O’Neal,Editor & Co-Founder

email: jeff@bookriot.com

twitter: @readingape

submission: send email pitch to bookriot@bookriot.com

That’s It! Thank you.Questions, anyone?

Susannah Greenberg, Public Relations http://bookbuzz.com

Matt Sutherland, ForeWord www.forewordreviews.com

Karen Schechner, Kirkus www.kirkusreviews.com

Jeff O’Neal www.BookRiot.com

This PowerPoint presentation will be available in its entirety on Susannah Greenberg Public Relations’ web site

http://bookbuzz.com