By Abigail Davidson

In the world of advertising and publicity there can be a lot of fluff. Sometimes if you don’t have a million-dollar smile (or hairdo) you may feel a little inadequate. The truth is that you don’t have to act a part to be successful. Honesty really is the best policy – for both the author and the publicist.

Here are some ways you should expect your publicist to be true to you and you to be true to your audience.

Will I be on Oprah?

If your publicist answers yes without a blink, you may want to get out while you can. (I’m serious… mostly). You see, the best way for a publicist to truly promote a person or a book is to be honest about who will really be their market. Sometimes this is a no-brainer and sometimes it takes some brainstorming. Make sure you and your publicist work together on discovering who your audience is and how you can successfully reach them.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Publicity tends to make you think about your “image.” The truth is that once you find your audience, they will see you for what you have to give to them, and not for what you “look” like. Focus your attention on how to serve others with your talent and you can bet your “image” will reflect a true beauty.

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.
-Booker T Washington

I love this quote! Apply this to yourself, the promotion of your book, and share it with your publicist. Writing is pretty common, I’d say, but it’s the heart of commitment behind it that matters. Be true to whatever “uncommon” way you are reaching others and your message will shine. Don’t allow the fast pace of the media to keep you from the reason you started writing in the first place. Keep your goals intact and be patiently committed to excellence.

Abigail Davidson has worked with WinePress Publishing since February of 2005, promoting WinePress authors through radio, television, print and Internet.

She also works closely with other WinePress staff on advertising and marketing to help WinePress authors build a publicity campaign that makes sense for their unique needs.