When you start thinking about how to get your book ‘out there’ so your target market knows about it, you would be missing valuable opportunities if you didn’t create a media publicity plan.
Ideally, start planning 3 to 6 months before your book is due to arrive from the printers. The reason for the 6 month lead time is that monthly magazines are working today on what will hit the news stands in roughly 3 months’ time. You need to factor in planning to create a media kit prior to this to give your book the best chance of appearing in important long-lead magazines.
Here is an overview of the stages in a book publicity campaign:
PLANNING:
1. Brainstorm newsworthy story ideas from the book
2. Write a publicity plan outlining key target media and story angles
3. Create a media kit with media release and supporting information
4. Develop sample interview Q&A
5. Localise pitches for specific target media
PITCHING:
6. Distribute media release & media kit
7. Follow up media to secure interest in receiving the book
8. Set up interviews and provide photos and other information as needed
MONITORING:
9. Obtain records of media coverage
10. Follow up to thank media for resulting coverage
Stay tuned to this blog for more detail on what’s involved in each stage!
Yours in book publicity
Chelsea McLean
