5 Reasons You Need a Book Publicist

Just like the name implies a publicist’s sole responsibility is to publicize your work or build your brand. They are the reason celebrities become famous. They are the behind the scenes workers getting interviews, spreading buzz worthy tales and making sure the people who moves and shakes have you in their direct line of vision. How does this relate to an author? Very simple without a great product, a marketing plan and enough buzz created around your book it will become a pretty little wall flower on a wall filled with wall flowers. An added benefit is that most book publicist will read your book and if they are sold on it they are adamant about pushing your success. What can a publicist do for you that you can’t do for yourself? Well unless you have a long list of contacts and industry insiders you can call in favors on than they can do a great deal. I hope to give you five reasons why you need a book publicist and in true Urban Fiction News style I will provide you with a list of publicist that are specific to the urban fiction genre.

Reason #1 You Need a Book Publicist to take you From Unknown to Known

Self published authors have the disadvantage of not having a large big named publisher to fall back on. It’s easier to gain the attention of industry insiders when you have a large traditional publisher backing you. However, a disadvantage can also be an advantage because once you show the big boys you know how to sell your book the potential to be picked up by the big boys is much greater. That could mean higher advance checks and companies fighting for Your attention. The publicist will put you or your work in front of the world giving you more exposure. The great news is their job is to make you known/famous.

Reason #2 A Book Publicist has Connections

We have all heard that it’s not what you know but who you know. Well if that’s true many of us wouldn’t go far on our own. The most valuable aspect of a publicist’ job is networking and building relationships with media outlets. The author doesn’t have to know anyone personally as their representative puts them in front of their long list of contacts. That alone is valuable. How many authors are interested in hunting down folks to talk about their book? I know I am not (but I will) With a publicist you won’t have to. They get you interviews threw newspaper, magazine and radio or TV. They also create campaigns that will generate a buzz around you the author and the book.

Reason #3 A Book Publicist Help with Reviews

As I’ve said before book reviews are the literary gold of the book world. Having quality book reviews on retail sites can make or break your book. Word of mouth marketing can make your book a top seller. A publicist is able to get your book in the hands of reviewers by sending out review copies.They locate popular bloggers in your genre, from media resources and get your book in their hands. One great review can take you from an unknown to a known.

Reason # 4 Book Publicist Create Detailed Ad Campaigns

Many self-published authors may find it overwhelming to market their own work. When you employ the services of a book publicist they not only locate the best ad campaigns but do the ad placements for you. Many will tell you that not only is important to increase your books’ visibility through interviews etc… but also to have your book displayed prominently throughout the places readers of your genre are located. Your book cover should be placed on multiple sites for maximum exposure.

Reason #5 Social Media Should Be a Book Publicist’s Specialty

The world of marketing has changed so greatly that having an online presence is vital to your book’s success. You must know how to work the social media platform to get ahead. Many publicist are well versed on social media marketing and will use it to their advantage. They create enough buzz that gets Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc… discussing your book which ultimately means more book sales.

Below is a list of book publicist that cater to African-American Authors and also to the Self-Published author enjoy!!!

Dawn Michelle Hardy http://www.dreamrelations.com

Gwen Richardson http://www.gwenrichardson.com

Heather M. Palmore ESq. http://www.ceciliacapers.com/publicistfortwmig.htm

V. Michelle Stephenson http://www.vmscommunications.net/main/bio.php

Makeda Smith http://www.jazzmynepr.com/pages/makeda.htm or http://jazzmynepr.com/

Publicist for the Indie Author

Smith Publicity http://www.smithpublicity.com/self-published-books/

Kelley & Hall http://www.kelleyandhall.com/sample-page-2/

Novel Publicity http://www.novelpublicity.com/publicity/

This is a small amount of publicist resources but if you enjoyed the post don’t forget to like and share with the links provided below.

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Iron Sharpens Iron: Who are Your Friends?

Ok, so every once in a while I like to go off on a rant. Since starting my blog I have run across some very interesting individuals. A world of people who are interested in my passion, which is writing. I am never more excited when I am talking about writing, character development and plots. I recently met another enthusiastic author who has allowed me an opportunity to read the first three chapters of their work. I was pleasantly surprised since a lot of what I have read over the last few weeks have not been up to par.

When I speak to this writer they provoke me to think a bit deeper and inspire my creativity, which is why I started to think about my friendships. We all have friends or people in our lives who share a common interest. However, how many friends do we have that actually inspire our passions or even motivates us to follow our dreams. I only have two such friends who listen endlessly about what I’m working on and even offer insights or valuable information.

I am most inspired when I am speaking with people who are passionate about their goals. Iron literally sharpens iron, people who are going somewhere have a contagious and infectious personality type. They engulf you with their forward thinking until you find  yourself moving rapidly toward your own goals.

I am also naturally competitive so I challenge myself more when I am around individuals on the move. Have you ever stopped to look at your group of friends? Are they people who ‘do’ or people who ‘talk’ if they aren’t forward thinkers or people on the move you may want to reevaluate your friendships. The best way to decide which friends are iron is to look at where they are now and compare it to where they were five or ten years ago. If they are no further ahead you’re not being sharpened.

Not to say that some friends who are constant are not useful or valuable but when it comes to creativity you should be evolving daily.