Hiring a book publicist

These book publicists share how they can help authors optimize their. Publicists can both directly and indirectly effect book sales through their book. Aug 08, 2019 why should you consider hiring a book publicist. Although a publicist may be the last publishing professional an author engages, book publicity. Discover the best option for you, your book, and your. Having worked as a book publicist for amazon publishing, i am certain that small releases have the best odds at the lowest price point. There are many, many things to consider when hiring a book publicity firm or solo publicist to promote your book. A lot of authors tell publicists, i dont want to do it. Because most publishers lack the resources to run a comprehensive book publicity and promotion campaign for every book they publish, authors are increasingly taking on the work of publicizing their books. To help you better understand the advantages of hiring a pr agency or book publicist, weve outlined several benefits below. Hiring a freelance publicist can make the publicity process much smoother. The publicist may also attempt to get the title on a prominent books list or nominate it for a book award.

Boasting the most prolific and successful track record of book publicity in the industry, smith publicity has worked with t. Book promotion kindle book promotion, kindle free book. Dont hire a publicist based on only one referral from a fellow author. As a book publicist, i recommend you, the author, look into hiring a book. Looking for the right publicists requires time that teases a thinning patience. Even if you land a deal with a major publisher, youll be expected to help with or even assume the bulk of your book s publicity. Jan 02, 2014 if you have the financial resources, it can be a great idea to hire a book publicity or marketing firm to help spread the word about your novel, memoir, or collection. As a book publicist, i recommend you, the author, look into hiring a book shepherd for your current or upcoming project. Apply to publicist, artist, media manager and more. It is the publicists job to identify the distinctive characteristics in a book that set it aside from other books, for the purpose of finding a niche to publicize in.

May 06, 2020 what to look for when hiring a publicist. If you hire a boutique public relations firm that specializes in books, authors, or spokesperson branding, you will likely either pay a project fee or a retainer on a monthly basis. Apply to publicist, senior publicist, talent booker and more. But just as with any other element of your book marketing plan, having a book publicist will not guarantee book sales. If you decide to hire a book publicist, you should ask the right questions to make sure theyre a good fit for you and your books genre. In the rare case your book promotion misses, we have a prorated refund in store credit. Whether you are traditionally or selfpublished, if you are considering hiring a book publicist, joan stewart provides guidance. Nonprofit organizations, movie studios, book publishers, and fortune 500 companies all have publicists, which means theres plenty of job opportunities in all sorts of fields. Hiring a publicist means higher potential for your brand. When you get to a certain point in your career, it may make sense to hire a professional publicist. Good marketing and publicity is a team effort, and the author is part of that team. A book publicist can offer objectivity where an author cannot. Having a publicist will also not launch you into superstardom if you have zero talent and poor product. Also within the publicist s purview is the pitching of features to journalists either written by, about or mentioning the author.

Each publicist looks for clients willing to do some things on their own, and they also look for authors to be realistic. In this post will give three of the most important ones. Jun 21, 2019 yes, we think smith publicity is a great book promotion firm, but we also know there are other good firms out there. This is an excerpt from the market your book smarter workshop. If you have the financial resources, it can be a great idea to hire a book publicity or marketing firm to help spread the word about your novel, memoir, or collection. Aug 17, 2009 find out what the publisher has planned and ask specifically their thoughts on whether hiring a publicist would be beneficial and what a publicist could do that the publisher is already doing. White house correspondent jonathan karl shares a story in his new book on how a younger donald trump followed his gut to publicity when they were both. If youre a selfpublished writer, hiring a book publicist will help you reach a broader audience. The main thing to remember as you consider hiring a publicist is that what you are really paying for is their time. My advice on hiring and working with a publicist jane friedman. All panelists agreed thateven though youre hiring a publicistall authors have to be willing to learn how to market their book. The following pro and con lists on hiring a book publicist should help you evaluate your options.

Feb 16, 2016 a publicists job is to find publicity for your book and for you, the fascinating author of this and future books. Using our template to think through this resultbased career decision process, lets examine this expense in relation to the results you might be after. Book publicity is a special beast, so its smart to hire a freelancer with publishing experience. Hiring a book publicist can be a difficult decision for many authors. The dos and donts of hiring a publicist news spotify. Jan 10, 2014 now let me turn to the services aspect of hiring a publicist, because this is where the rubber meets the road.

Having a dedicated book publicist can increase your legitimacy, afford you unique publicity opportunities, and free up hours of time that you might have spent trying to make contacts. Although a publicist may be the last publishing professional an author engages, book publicity begins six to 12 months prior to release date. Can an independent publicist help you maximize your books success. Oct 04, 2018 whether you are traditionally or selfpublished, if you are considering hiring a book publicist, joan stewart provides guidance.

Theres a big difference between selfpublishing a book with the hope of selling a few copies and taking the decisiveand potentially priceystep of hiring a professional publicity firm. Book publicist scott lorenz has written dozens of articles to help inform others about book marketing and book promotion. A book publicist or book launch specialist will often charge 10k or more, guarantee nothing and focus on things that dont directly sell books. A book publicist is typically employed by a publishing house, and it is his or her responsibility to generate media interest in a new book. Hiring a publicist doesnt guarantee you a tv booking or the cover of a magazine you think youre a good fit for, seide says. Publicist specializing in nonfiction titles with crossover appeal from mainstream to christian. Hire a book publicist create a reedsy account to connect with over similar professionals for free quotes and advice. Hiring book publicists is a crucial fact that firsttime authors learn to face. Since 1997, weve forged a reputation as one of the finest book promotion agencies in the industry. What to expect from independent publicists publishers weekly. Media contacts by working with a book publicist or pr agency, you will gain access to key media contacts and media lists. Work environment since publicity work takes place in a variety of companies, you could work in the book publishing field as part of a team of publicists.

At release, your publicist will compile a list of how many people requested the book, the number of publicity hits with links, blurbs and other earned media. Hiring a book publicist is scary, but you still need one. Those with a traditional publishing contract who got a large enough advance against royalties to fund an outside publicist. Prepare regular press releases and distribute them to the media, or hire a publicist.

Aug 28, 2018 no publicist can guarantee any coverage. Jul 22, 2018 a publicist is a key to a book s success in the media. Can an independent publicist help you maximize your book s success. Some publicists specialize in certain types of books, while others may work more generally for book publishers who produce a variety of types of books. A lack of press doesnt necessarily mean your publicist isnt doing their jobor that journalists dont like your music. Other authors, unwilling or unable to take on these duties, end up hiring an independent book publicist. The lowstress way to find your next book publicist job opportunity is on simplyhired. Aug 21, 2017 so often i hear artists talk about hiring a publicist as being the next move in their career.

Book marketing is a fulltime challenge that successful authors trust to a top book publicist like scott lorenz book marketing strategy in a typical book marketing campaign, westwind communications targets book. The right marketing tips will help you avoid paying money to pr companies and publicists. However you define it smith publicity makes you and your book newsworthy. They will get you the promotion and pr your book deserves. In summary, why should an indie author hire a publicist. My advice on hiring and working with a publicist jane. Nov 18, 2014 so, should you be your own publicist or do you need a professional book publicist. Ideally, one who caters best to your concerns and are determined to maximize the exposure of your book. Oct 02, 20 before you consider hiring one, its important to understand what a publicists job entails. Why you should never hire a publicist for your book do this instead. Thinking about hiring someone to help publicize your book.

Since our contacts in the media are exceptionally good. There is not right or wrong answer to this question and it will vary depending on who asks it. How to interview a book publicist the book designer. Perhaps you are at that place right now and think this is exactly the right move for your career. Having a book publicist may sound like something that happens once an author cracks the new york times bestseller list and starts bathing in mares milk, but authors are often surprised to learn that a book publicist does their work well in advance of the book release often five monthsor. If youre lucky enough to have an inhouse publicist, as i do, tell her youre hiring backup and ask. Despite a lack of guarantees, mosty authors still need a pro for book marketing. Before you consider hiring one, its important to understand what a publicist s job entails. Why you should hire a book publicist for your book launch.

Learn how to hire a freelance book publicist the balance careers. Get an inside look at the education and experience requirements, and find out how to start a career as a public relations specialist in the book industry. Reedsys book publicity services allow you to connect with the worlds best book publicists. These tips for promoting your book are free but they still require effort. How to find and work with a book publicistsuccessfully jane.

Next, it is time to ask yourself how you are going to promote and publicize your new book so you can sell it should you hire a book publicist. Dec 04, 2018 thinking about hiring someone to help publicize your book. If youre a selfpublished writer, hiring a book publicist. I am an award winning publicist with a decade of experience managing debut and highprofile book campaigns both fiction and nonfiction. Reply publicity tips7 annoying things journalists do says. She is the publisher of the hot sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named publishing commentator of the year by digital book.

Jul 19, 2017 who should hire a book publicist thats why the authors who can afford a publicist tend to be. Book marketing expert and book publicist scott lorenz. The book publicist is in line as the caboose of the publishing process and is the team member who pushes the finished book into the marketplace. If interested in learning more about how you can become a client, we ask that you start by completing the contact form below in order to receive a free 15 minute pr consultation. Here are seven things you will want to know as you consider hiring a publicist for your book. We see hundreds of indie and selfpublished books every month. The rest of the lesson includes a publicity evaluation checklist, a list of 12 key services offered by book publicists, and tips on creating your own book publicity campaign. Because, publicists are an essential part of an authors ability to be widely read, regardless of how a book.

Jul 27, 20 watch more how to work in public relations videos. So, should you be your own publicist or do you need a professional book publicist. I have had plenty of discussions with publishers who felt at certain points in an authors career hiring an outside publicist was a waste of time. If youre lucky enough to have an inhouse publicist, as i do, tell her youre hiring backup and ask what specific things shell be doing so your outside publicist wont duplicate her efforts and cost you valuable hours.

This might be in the form of facebook ads, goodreads giveaways and. Contrary to popular belief, a publicist doesnt just send email blasts and get you on red carpets at least a good one wont. The rest of the lesson includes a publicity evaluation checklist, a list of 12 key services offered by book publicists, and tips on creating your own book publicity. While publishing houses usually assign an inhouse pro to work on each book, both traditionally published and indie or hybrid authors opt to hire a freelance book publicist to ensure individualized publicity attention for their books.