Smith Publicity Blogs

The number of self-published authors and books increases exponentially each year. It means more people than ever are trying to decide how to market a book. Success lies in a concept the publishing world refers to as discoverability, which means helping people find out about a new book. There are various methods that have proven successful – but it’s unique to every book and author. Top PR firms like Smith Publicity advise a combination of tactics that sure to increase chances for success. Traditional book publicity, which means efforts to get covered by TV, radio, magazines, and newspapers, continues to be valuable. Because nearly all media now also operate websites, any stories also will run online without any further effort. Getting the attention of editors and producers is no easy feat, and while you can contact them directly, hiring a professional PR firm will help. No matter who handles the outreach, it is important to reach the right writers and interviewers for the topic ...

With the exponential increase in the number of books published each year, authors and publishers are looking for cost-effective publicity tools. Therefore, when it comes to how to market a book , virtual book tours have quickly gained popularity. They allow authors to save the time and money connected to in-person travel and preserved many benefits of a book tour. It means interacting with target audiences and journalists almost anywhere in the world, all without ever leaving home. Also, because virtual book tours can be booked through live chat options on social media, there is a built-in capability to promote upcoming tour events. Tours always have been about helping people discover new books, and moving to a virtual format doesn't change the dynamic. Social media also allows audience members to submit questions in advance, thus improving the chances that the topics covered in the discussion will be of interest to those who plan to attend; it's a win-win. Because of t...

Both publishing companies and self-published authors trying to promote their books have many questions about how to market a book these days. One of the biggest ones is whether or not traditional book publicity – radio, TV, newspapers, magazines – still had value in the internet age? The experts at Smith Publicity answer with a resounding yes. Also, because traditional media also operate high-traffic websites, any coverage they give a book or author appears online as well. Coverage from media also confers an indirect endorsement on a book, because the decision to include it in a story implies it is interesting. When it comes to helping potentially interested readers discover a book, these interviews and articles can have significant value. They also identify an author as an expert speaker on a topic that gives support to future books and additional interviews. When this sort of powerful traditional publicity is combined with significant online coverage, it helps to sell books. The ...

With the recent explosion in the number of books published, many authors and publishers are looking for new ideas about how to market a book. Expert book marketers like Smith Publicity are advising a mix of tactics to bring success. It's also essential to strike a balance between promoting book sales and building an author brand. Today's best strategic combination for book marketing involves newer online methods combined with traditional book publicity. Blended media are those with traditional distribution (TV, radio, magazines, newspapers) and an accompanying website. Interviews and stories in these media can be especially compelling because they reach audiences in multiple channels. They also produce content that can be added to an author's social media channels to make them more interesting and valuable to followers. Radio interviews, which might not initially sound overly exciting, can be very beneficial to book publicity. Because they are often longer form with sma...