You really can’t do it all. This hard lesson comes clearly into focus once you become the author of a book. With the added responsibility of promotion on top of everything else that’s going on in your life, something has to give, right? And this is one reason why so many books fail or why they don’t live up to our expectations as far as sales go.
One solution is to hire someone to help. Of course, you could pay a hefty sum and get a lot of help and expertise from a publicist. But you’d better be ready to go out and do a lot of speaking and signings and other activities he or she will arrange for you.
Or you can hire a friend, colleague, acquaintance, intern or even a high school student to take on some of your book-related tasks. So what can others do for you to help with your workload? Plenty!
1: Have your helper email and/or mail news releases and press kits, requests for book reviews, and even compile and distribute your monthly newsletter, etc. You can create the template or train him or her to.
2: He or she can research various speaking venues for you and contact the program chairmen to set up a presentation schedule for you. This could include conferences related to your topic, book signings and so forth.
3: They can keep your website updated with your list of speaking engagements, news to report, posting new articles and resources, etc.
4: Have someone handle your shipping responsibilities, including sending out review copies.
5: They can research review opportunities for your book and other opportunities for your book.
6: Ask this person to follow-up on review copies sent, your requests to give presentations, etc.
7: Have this helper set up radio show interviews and invitations to be a guest blogger at appropriate blog sites. They can also comment for you at appropriate blog sites.
8: They can seek out contests you can enter with your book.
9: The right person can post to your blog every day or several times each week.
10: Have them seek out article-writing opportunities related to the theme/genre of your book and send queries.
11: Following up is one of the tasks authors tend to neglect. But a paid helper can take over this job. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else make those mundane, but all important, phone calls to book reviewers, reporters, editors and others who might need prodding with regard to promoting your book?
12: This person could also make sure that reviewers post their reviews at your amazon.com page and they can post them at your website.
13: Perhaps he or she can go through the process of getting you set up at amazon and other online bookseller sites.
14: She can collect and keep track of favorable comments from readers and post them where appropriate.
15: This person could also do your filing and keep your office more organized.
Doesn’t the idea of having these things taken care of without actually having to do them yourself sound heavenly? Just imagine the time you would have to use in writing those articles you should be submitting, developing and presenting presentations, being interviewed on radio/TV, writing your next book and maybe even taking a stroll along the countryside occasionally.
How much is this liable to cost you? Not nearly as much as it would cost if you neglect to pursue these promotional activities at all due to lack of time or organizational skills.
Think about it. I’ve hired people to help in my office over the years and I’m seriously thinking about doing it again. While I am so busy editing and coaching, my promotional efforts are being sorely neglected. I could use some help keeping up my Catscapades blog, promoting the Catscapades book, doing follow-up work and keeping up with my attempt to organize my office. How about you?
Great post! You mention speaking engagements as a way to promote your book. One thing I’d like to add is networking after your speaking gigs/book signings. Always make sure you plant seeds/look for additional opportunities to speak after you’ve impressed your audience at an event. It’s much easier to book events with people that have seen you in action then it is to perpetually cold call for gigs.