This can be done in a variety of ways including social media, blogging, and article writing. Phase One-Pre-Publication: Ideally, authors should begin a year or more before their book's release to start talking about it and garnering a base of interested readers.Putting your words, and putting yourself, out there is never easy. Perhaps KP Simmon said it best when she noted, “Have courage. With so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Authors like Joanna Penn break down the immediate do’s and don’ts for tweeting, posting on Facebook, and keeping content appropriate – and urge authors not break the unspoken “rules” – that help authors better sell books. In the world of self-publishing, there’s also the option to DIY. Identify where your target audience is, and then pick one or two of those platforms to really focus on.”Ĭost varies when it comes to hiring a publicist. I don't believe every author has to do everything, but they do have to do something. If you write for an older demographic, Facebook is the one to focus on. Most teens are on Tumblr and Instagram, so if you write YA, that's where you should spend your time. “I'm an advocate for identifying the platforms that work best for you and that reach the target audience. And, she recommends an author have a plan, a website, and a social media presence. This means being professional and remembering there are no “stupid” questions or questions that shouldn't be asked.ĭana Kaye of Kaye Publicity advises authors seek multiple proposals from publicists, and trust their gut. One of the biggest don’ts? Don’t forget this is a business, on both sides, and it’s important for an indie author to operate as the CEO of her own company. I can make all the connections in the world, but readers still want to hear from the author.” Simmon’s do’s list includes: “Do your research on the company and/or publicist you are hiring, ask for recommendations and find out why their clients like working with them, find out what their strengths are and figure out if those match your needs ahead of time as much as possible, and find out if they have marketing and PR experience in the past.” Hiring a publicist doesn’t mean you get to stop doing all promotional work and take a backseat in the process. KP Simmon of InkSlinger PR noted, “I think the biggest thing for an author, when hiring a publicist, is to have realistic expectations. “It's more challenging, and more paperwork, for a bookstore to take an indie title on consignment or buy copies because bookstores buy the bulk of their titles through Ingram or Baker & Taylor or large publishing houses with distribution in place - which means one invoice, one set of paperwork.”Īs with hiring an editor and cover designer, there are definite do’s and don’ts when choosing a publicity firm. So indie sales tend to be more difficult to jumpstart.” On the print side, it can also prove tough for an indie author to get distribution of her to stores. As Julie Schoerke, owner of JKSCommunications, puts it, “Being an indie published author can be challenging because there isn't the cachet of the imprint of a traditional publishing house that ‘proves’ the book has been ‘vetted’ for the media and readers. The stigma of self-publishing continues to fade, but there are still challenges to reaching an audience, but teamwork came make the difference. The more engaged you are in the process, the more fruitful and productive it will be,” said Alison Law of Alison Law Communications. “Working with a public relations professional, just like working with an editor or working with the company publishing your book, is a collaborative process. While a rewarding one, the publicist-author relationship should be treated as a partnership. I’ve chosen to hire a publicity firm - though I have yet to commit to one - because the less marketing on my plate, the more time I can devote to writing. And when the book comes out, I’ll have a new partner - in the form of my publicist. My writing community, editors, and cover designer are a phenomenal well of support. Thankfully, I don’t have to go every step alone. Four months into this process, I’ve discovered going from a writer and reporter to an indie author is akin to climbing a very steep mountain, only to find a new peak each time I think I’ve reached the top. For me, it’s a learn-on-the-job experience, one that has meant dealing with doubt’s attempts to sabotage my every turn. Going indie means more than deciding to self-publish, it means embracing an entrepreneurial path.
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