I’m experiencing the learning curve again—had to buy a new computer yesterday. My five-year-old computer began growling at me from time to time. I knew it was on its way out. Yesterday, it became ferocious—the noise even scared the cats. We were able to replace it and transfer the files without much of a glitch. Some of my photos are missing, however—we’ll have to go back and try to retrieve them from the external hard drive we use for backup. In particular, I need my publicity photo and the image of my new book, which bloggers, editors, conference directors, etc. want when they’re planning some sort of publicity.
Do you have a publicity photo to send when you will be featured in the newspaper, a magazine or at a website? Do you have a professional quality photo you can send for promo purposes when you are scheduled to speak or to be a guest blogger? You’ll also need it for brochures, fliers, posters and, most likely, for your own website. You’ll also want a good image of your book cover at your site and to send out for publicity purposes.
I’ve seen some pretty awful author publicity photos. This is unfortunate and unnecessary. Everyone can clean up their act enough to pose for a decent photo. Some authors prefer using casual shots of themselves in nature or with their dog or horse. I’ve seen some informal photos that are quite appropriate and others that are not—they are blurred, low-quality shots, for example.
I like to advise authors to use photos that depict the subject or theme of their book nicely—a shot with you wearing an apron and holding a plate of cupcakes to promote your book on cupcake baking, for example. If your adventure novel features a lot of scenes in the wilderness, use a picture of yourself posing near an old tree. It is typical for a mystery writer to use a shot of themselves in their office looking pensive, don’t you think? For a book on parenting, you’d want your photo to have a maternal or paternal feel to it.
If you’re like me and you have a variety of books on a variety of topics, a single photo depicting your friendly/professional demeanor is probably in order.
If you’re undecided as to the image you want to portray in your publicity photo, brainstorm this with colleagues and friends. But I warn you, they will choose the photo you dislike most in every case. I don’t know why this is—but others see us so very differently than we see ourselves. And the shot that appeals to others might be your least favorite.
Hire a professional photographer and tell him or her what you hope to portray in your picture. Show the photographer your book(s). He or she may have some suggestions. They might also recommend the best color for you to wear for the shot. A busy print fabric is usually discouraged, for example. And you don’t want to use overpowering colors.
If you are not good with your hair and makeup, get help. You really do want to look your best.
For more about your publicity photo and many, many other aspects of book promotion, order my new book today: Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia
How ironic. I’m planning a photo shoot this weekend to get some decent publicity photos. Sometimes I swear you can read my mind when you write your blog!