Should hire a book publicist

Writers of selfpublished books should split their tasks with publicists the same way. A book publicist or book launch specialist will often charge 10k or more, guarantee nothing and focus on things that dont directly sell books. Having stated this, the clients hold to every word they read in a publicist s website. Book publicity begins six to 12 months prior to release date when the marketing plan and book. As an author, or publisher, you should see publicity as one of the different channels through which you can market your books. Alternatively, you can contact organizations such as local record labels or other music businesses and volunteer to write press releases for them. What your publicist is able to do depends partly on what kind of publicist you hire. The inhouse publicist also took on the trade magazines and national media, so my outside publicist and i went to work on local media and internet radio. Finding a publicist should begin as soon as you have decided you want your book in bookshops and you have a distributor who can handsell to booksellers or you plan to take a. Ive been emailed hundreds of socalled story pitches. Even if you hire a publicist for consulting on an hourly basis, most will require a minimum number of hours theyll want you to commit to. First and foremost, personal publicist exist to bring you publicity. 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.

Some book publicists have lots of experience booking guests on media opportunities. Sep 21, 2014 many outside book publicists require contracts of six months to a year, and their rates are high enough to bring a struggling novelist to her knees. What will a book publicity firm or marketing company do. After all, your book is only new for a short window of time. But when do you know the time is right and how does it work. Jun 10, 2015 when is the right time to invest in a publicist.

What do you feel comfortable doing, and what would you rather hire outside help to do. Some book publicity firms are strictly focused on the media. Book publicist scott lorenz has written dozens of articles to help inform others about book marketing and book promotion. The short answer is fees vary mainly according to the services offered and the size of the firm you hire, but for the most part it is a commitment that will likely run you thousands, not hundreds, of dollars. A book publicist isnt an option for your book or career if. How to find and work with a book publicist jane friedman this past weekend, i had the honor of speaking at the san francisco writers conference. You will build a close relationship with your publicist, so its important to ensure early on that your goals for the book align with theirs. The wisest and most savvy authors and indie publishers are investigating what a book publicist can do for them. Why you should never hire a publicist for your book do this instead. The job is a combination of the marketing and publishing fields. You think a publicist should work for a percentage of book sales.

In case you missed it, i was a guest over at tweetspeak poetry last week, where i wrote about how to find and hire a publicist. Nov 18, 2014 if you are selfpublishing or your publisher doesnt have many resources for promotion, hiring a publicist can also be an educational experience, enough that you learn from them and can take over publicity on your own after the initial push. As an independent musician or band, there comes a time to expand your network and start working with a team. When i started out, id cite what id heard others before me throw out, the main thing being this. Can an independent publicist help you maximize your book s success. So, what will your publisher do to promote your book. The short answer is fees vary mainly according to the services offered and the size of the firm you hire, but one thing i will say that for the most part. Colleen davis looks how publicity has changed and what you.

Now its time to allow a book publicist whos also been developing and honing skills for a number of years to help you get your book into the hands of interested readers. Jane does new book shares how companies can manage. My advice on hiring and working with a publicist jane friedman. 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. I cant give a quick answer because it depends on your longterm goals and financial situation. No matter which route a writer takes to publication, marketing your book to maximize. The no guarantees nature of publicity can help you decide if you should hire a publicist, too. But just as with any other element of your book marketing plan, having a book publicist will not guarantee book sales. Book publicity is a special beast, so its smart to hire a freelancer with. How to find and work with a book publicistsuccessfully jane. As a book publicist, i recommend you, the author, look into hiring a book shepherd for your current or. I decided i could afford those ten hours and hired her six months.

Can an independent publicist help you maximize your books success. Keep reading to learn more about hiring a personal publicist. Will you actually earn back that money if you spend it on a publicist. One pr professional i interviewed couldnt pronounce my company. Why you should never hire a publicist for your book do this instead a common question i get in my private facebook group goes like this. A great publicist will be there to offer their professional advice on everything that relates to your brand, from your appearance, to how you communicate, to when you should release new music, what events to attend, what content should be featured on your website and so much more.

If youd like to read the first tips article, click here. An author can use the money for publishing or distribution costs, to upgrade to a better distributor, or to pay for the costs of the book publicist hired to give your book the push it needs. Once youve finished writing your book, its time to start selling it. Oct 14, 2015 after all, your book is only new for a short window of time. As we mentioned above, hiring a reputable book publicist can be prohibitively expensive for many authors. These book publicists share how they can help authors optimize their. Jun 11, 2014 maybe you should hire an outside publicist, another friend suggested. As a book publicist, my job is sometimes as much about educating authors about publishing and bookselling as it is about getting media attention for their book. Since our contacts in the media are exceptionally good. Managing expectations about what a publicist can do for a writer is great information and woven into the fiber of this book. Youre wrapping up the writing, editing, design and publishing necessities for your first published book its a huge relief to get these important selfpublishing duties completed. That, of course, is the million dollar question in advertising. The same rules apply as for finding the right editor.

Having a great publicist on your team is a great asset. Weve heard of fees of up to five figures for sixmonth contracts. Jan 10, 2014 im going to answer the many requests ive received to try to shed some light on how much it costs to hire a publicist. Many new entrepreneurs are unclear when it comes to marketing and publicity what needs to be done, when, and how much it should cost. Hire top publicist firm to avoid future pr nightmare for. Feb 15, 2017 should i hire a publicist for my book.

Oct 02, 20 a great publicist will be there to offer their professional advice on everything that relates to your brand, from your appearance, to how you communicate, to when you should release new music, what events to attend, what content should be featured on your website and so much more. As such, you should think about it and get in touch with publicists as soon as you start planning your marketing strategy, i. Why you should hire a book publicist for your book launch. My advice on hiring and working with a publicist jane. Powerful words, incorporated in a publicist s website, compel prospective clients. A common question i get in my private facebook group goes like this. Steuart henderson britt, marketing management and administrative action should i hire a publicist for my memoir. Jan 02, 2016 by claire mckinney how much does a book publicist cost. Do you know what a book publicist does a guide for. Nov 11, 20 in case you missed it, i was a guest over at tweetspeak poetry last week, where i wrote about how to find and hire a publicist heres a little of what i had to say. Why you should never hire a publicist for your book do this. Find out the reasons youre not breaking through on your book publicity and learn why its so important for authors to have a book publicist.

Book publicists like claire mckinney have been building these relationships for years. Special tips for authors on how to find a book publicist and for musicians on how to find a music publicist. Publicist and founder of dotdotdotmusic, steven swartz, addresses this with noted endeavors founders eugenia zukerman and emily ondracekpeterson. Even better, she charged by the hour, with only a 10hour minimum. Whether you opt to publish your book with a publishing company or you. Id put a lot of work into promoting my last book by myself and while i felt like the efforts were worthwhile, it was also an exhausting process in a lot of ways. 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.

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. What to expect from independent publicists publishers weekly. There are several different paths someone can pursue to become a book publicist if there is an interest in careers in this area of the publishing industry. An internship will give you valuable experience and job history. Trusted book publicists for hire your online publicist. They get you speaking gigs at colleges, interviews on tv shows, and spots in magazines. A publicist is a key to a books success in the media. Many outside book publicists require contracts of six months to a year, and their rates are high enough to bring a struggling novelist to her knees. The majority of publicists start their careers as interns or publicity assistants before finding a job as a fullfledged publicist. What the publicists say what should i have ready when i hire a publicist. The book publicist book publicist scott lorenz offers. Publicists have a strong list of contacts that authors dont often have themselves.

One pr professional i interviewed couldnt pronounce my company name, or fathom a highpowered woman in finance. Five things every author should know before they hire a publicist. Working with a book publicist now that you understand what a book publicist does and doesnt do, its important to know what to expect before contacting one for help. If you dont want to hire a publicist, you might be interested in marketing options offered by our subsidiary company selfpublishing relief. If you do hire a publicist, first do some research to find one who can devote real time. 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. Book marketing expert and book publicist scott lorenz. If people like their project, they donate money to support it. Many new authors often assume their publisher will handle all the marketing. 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. Why should i hire a book publicist, as opposed to letting my publisher handle the publicity. How to know if you should hire a publicist the creative. At their best, a publicist should be both a fan of, and a cheerleader for, their client.

Why you should never hire a publicist for your book do. Some authors are terrific promoters but freeze at the thought of trying to selfpromote. By claire mckinney how much does a book publicist cost. If you hire a publicist for a blog tour, they will pitch your book to a series of blogs that fit your story.

A book publicist or book launch specialist will often charge 10k or more, guarantee nothing and focus on. Sep 26, 2018 why you should never hire a publicist. Whether you are a solo entrepreneur, book author or rock band, personal publicists offer experience and expertise in marketing your brand. They will get you the promotion and pr your book deserves. An experienced book publicist has the media contacts, communication skills, and experience to both plan and.

Here are seven things you will want to know as you consider hiring a publicist for your book. The publicist may also attempt to get the title on a prominent books list or nominate it for a book award. There are no formal requirements to become a book publicist, but an enthusiasm for books paired with excellent social skills is definitely helpful for someone who markets books, as is a college degree in a relevant field. Publicists for hire can simply put something online to attract authors attention by means of marketing his services. Some book publicists are employed directly by publishing houses and some freelance for publishers and authors. A good publicist can open doors that an author might not be able to open. The book publicist sits at the back end of the publishing chain and is the team member who pushes the finished book into the marketplace. How to organize a truly successful blog tour reedsy. Finally, though, i found a publicist who used to work at a big traditional house and seemed experienced and smart. Of course, its understandable that indie or hybrid authors would want to hire their own publicists, but many traditionally published authors also. Long ago, before the internet became the dominate avenue for promotion and communication, there were certain triedandtrue paths to book publicity that every publicist traveled. Why you should hire a book publicist for your book launch youre wrapping up the writing, editing, design and publishing necessities for your first published book its a huge relief to get these important selfpublishing duties completed.

While attending, i sat in on two sessions focusing on book publicity, with panelists penny sansevieri, andrea dunlop and natalie obando all publicists or marketing consultants. May 14, 2019 a publicist is able to do their work well when they have an established network of media contacts, and when those contacts trust them to bring them relevant, interesting pitches. Before you hire a book publicist, it is important to ask a few basic questions to help you determine if he or she is legitimate, effective, and has the background and strengths that you are looking for. Jul 19, 2017 at least once a week, an author asks me, should i hire a book publicist.

If you dont have public relations education or book publicity experience, your odds of ever selling enough books on your own to make a living are low. Dec 11, 2012 why should a film selected to sundance or any major festival hire a publicist. Discover the best option for you, your book, and your. And there is a huge gap in the help available to you as a small business. Even if you land a deal with a major publisher, youll be expected to help with or even assume the bulk of your books publicity. Marketing options like book trailers and press releases are available to writers. If youre uncomfortable with trying to promote yourself and your book, consider hiring a publicist to do the promotion for you. At least once a week, an author asks me, should i hire a book publicist. 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. In summary, before hiring a publicist you should have a finished recording, a tour planned, new photos and videos, retail distribution, and a directtofan channel all set up. What every musician should have when they hire a publicist. Im going to answer the many requests ive received to try to shed some light on how much it costs to hire a publicist. Authors, should you be your own publicist or hire a professional book publicist.

Heres what you need to know about hiring a publicist. Being a full time author and earning an income from your books can be as challenging as trying to break into the entertainment industry as a performer. The promotion or sale of any book is tied to key connections and relationshipsfor example to the media. A publicist is often seen primarily as a key to mainstream media coverage, but they also have tremendous value outside of that. As book publicists, we do nothing but book publicity. At the risk of sounding selfserving and id encourage festival virgins to consult with their more experienced industry peers for their perspectives as well, i think having a good, wellconnected publicist on your side can be invaluable. A publicists job is to find publicity for your book and for you, the fascinating author of. Jul 22, 2018 a publicist is a key to a book s success in the media.