Here’s a brilliant idea that can create such a huge buzz online for your new book that it will fly off the shelves.
During your research and writing, start keeping a list of bloggers who helped you in some way, either by blogging about you and your book, or by contributing to it, or about mentioning you. Then as soon as the book is published, thank them publicly in your blog, list them all, link back to their blogs, then offer them a free book just before it’s available to the public.
That’s what David Meerman Scott has done, and doesn’t it figure? His book is about “The New Rules of Marketing & PR.” Yesterday, at his blog, he listed all the 163 bloggers who helped him, including me.
Thanking bloggers puts the buzz on steroids. The free book offer makes bloggers feel like they’re part of his inner circle. I’m betting that 9 out of 10 of the bloggers David listed will write at least one post about the book when it arrives on their doorstep. I know I will.
Collectively, the 163 bloggers who David thanked publicly have milliions of readers, and many of those also blog. And on and on and on it goes…
I contact David last year and invited him to join me for a recorded interview called “The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Buyers, Not Only for Journalists.” He graciously agreed. I presented a program on that topic yesterday for the South Florida chapter of the National Speakers Association.
Good luck with book, David. You’ve taught us all a valuable lesson on book publicity.
Thanks Joan, I appreciate it!
One other thing that I did is include all 163 bloggers in the acknowledgements of the hardcover book itself, including the blog’s URL. Yes, it is highly unusual to have eight pages of acknowledgements in a book, but that’s the best way that I could think of to thank those who have helped me along the way.
My fear is that I’ve missed some people. I kept a list throughout the year that I was writing, but I’m sure that some people who should be there have been left off due to my error.
As you and your readers know, publicity is out there and is free for the taking. The key is to be creative and smart and honest and find those things that others aren’t doing. My effort is just one example. There are thousands of other ideas out there ready to be tried!
Cheers, David
personally, i find this type of link baiting offensive. I much prefer a private email asking me if i’d like to review the book.
B.L.
Joan –
Great commentary, as always. What a pleasant surprise it was for me to make the list – just got my signed preview copy of David’s book yesterday. This one’s a winner. Good to hear you’re out spreading the word!
Barbara Rozgonyi, Wired PR Works