“The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,

And all the sweet serenity of books.”

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

By Robyn Williams

A goal for most authors is to get their book into as many hands possible. And there’s nothing like cuddling up with a good book.

Although, we do live in a day and time where technology competes for our attention. From video games to surfing the web, the competition’s stiff sometimes. So, why not use the media to share your message?

That’s where your publicist comes into the picture. Publicists work hard for you and are passionate about it. Publicists hold working relationships with the media who expect their guests to have a third party acting in their client’s best interest.

Having someone who’s not only in your corner, but who actively promotes your book as if it was his or her own is very much needed in the publishing and media industries. Make sure you have a personable publicist working with you!

Here are some tips to remember when working with your publicist:

• Talk with your publicist. Share why you wrote your book so he or she can pass on your passion and message with media outlets.

• Take the time to complete any questionnaires your publicist gives you. Answering the questions thoroughly – even if it seems you’re repeating some of your responses – gives your publicist detailed information with which to promote you.

• Make sure your publicist has all your contact information including current phone numbers and email addresses.

• Respond to your publicist’s messages as soon as possible. Publicity is time sensitive.

• Be patient and flexible. Interviews require rescheduling and articles rarely appear immediately.

• Be encouraged. While it’s nearly impossible to track sales that came from a particular TV appearance or radio interview, keep in mind that you’ve gained exposure and you never know what the future holds.

Related Articles:

• The Five Basics of Book Publicity
• The Importance of First Impressions
• Three Ways to Get Publicity for Your Fiction Novel
• Your Book’s Campaign Trail
• Do You Need a Video to Promote Your Book?

As a member of WinePress’ Publicity department, Robyn Williams’ goal is to help authors promote their message and make media contacts. She loves getting to know authors, learning why they wrote their books, and helping them share their stories.