“I am a prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes in New York City. I wrote a children’s book called My Body Belongs to Me to teach children that if someone touches them inappropriately, they should tell a parent or teacher right away.
“In a non-threatening, engaging manner, this guide establishes boundaries and teaches kids that when it comes to their body, there are some parts that are for ‘no one else to see’ and empowers them to tell a parent or teacher if someone touches them inappropriately.
“Most importantly, this narrative assures young ones that sexual molestation is not their fault, and by speaking out, the child will continue to grow big and strong. A ‘Suggestions for the Storyteller’ section is also included to help lead a comfortable discussion afterward.
“How can I promote this book in traditional and social media?”
(Read more about how to submit your own question to this blog.)
Contact Darkness to Light in Charleston,SC http://www.darkness2light.org. They are doing an outstanding job bringing attention to child abuse nationwide.
Another great resource. Thanks, Mitch.
Great idea, Mitch. There are probably lots of nonprofits out there that would love to partner on this book.
Jill, here’s my idea:
–How about submitting an article or a tips sheet, similar to the kind Eric Gruber suggested above, to law enforcement magazines and other trade publications read by prosecutors?
–Ditto for school publications read by teachers and administrators.
–What about a separate tips list or article for trade pubs that go to the day care industry?
Create a children’s book news release and send it to the right media.
I work with dozens of children’s book authors and publishers every year, and create custom targeted media lists that cover family parenting, children’s books, and the online media who cover these areas, and the news releases tend to produce dozens of media requests and articles and interviews.
I study the lists of family parenting and children’s book reviewers carefully every month. There are about 800 media who cover family and parenting, and about 500 who cover children and youth topics. I just searched and as of a few minutes ago there are 79 identified media who cover children’s books as a defined outlet topic (a journalism beat)..
About 30 percent of them are bloggers. The rest work at newspapers, magazines, radio and tv, or are freelance writers.
I wrote a dedicated post a few weeks ago all about the mommy bloggers, a new and special class of media who can be reached. Here’s the link:
http://blog.directcontactpr.com/public/category/mommy-bloggers
Children’s book news releases are a special breed, which I cover in my new book, Trash Proof News Releases. Here’s some of the special guidance in the book.
The most important question you must answer in a children’s book news release is:
Why will kids and parents like this book?
Tell the media quickly:
Ø What’s it all about?
Ø Who wrote it and why is the author qualified?
Ø Who is it for?
Ø What makes it unique and special?
Ø What happens to the characters?
Ø What’s funny, dramatic, or distinctive?
Additional tips to factor in:
Ø Use illustrations or the book cover effectively.
Ø Offer the media review copies as an incentive
Ø Provide the key book publication details.
Ø Provide the very best reviewer comments
Ø Author bio and credentials are helpful and any personal story that is related to the creation of the book.
Ø Author advice on the special topic related to the books purpose
Ø Interview questions and answers
Ø Local news angles
Do not talk about the book marketing. Marketing facts and author difficulties will not be persuasive with editors or helpful to getting publicity.
So once you create a news release and prove that it’s effective, you can use and tailor the same proven message in all sorts of other communication mediums and technologies.
Just remember that the message is the most crucial element. Depending on the message it’s either GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) or MIMO (Magic In Magic Out). It’s up to you to figure out what you can say that will turn people on and produce the action you need.
Here’s a link to some sample children’s book news releases.
* Children’s Books News Releases Download this file (Model News Releases) http://www.directcontactpr.com/fview.src?ID=35&04b0063e0d
My book Trash Proof News Releases is also available as a free ebook download at SmashWords
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5921
Hope this helps,
Paul J. Krupin, Direct Contact PR
Reach the Right Media in the Right Market with the Right Message
http://www.DirectContactPR.com Paul@DirectContactPR.com Blog.DirectContactPR.com
800-457-8746 (TF US) 509-531-8390 (Cell) 509-582-5174 (Direct)
Paul, you’re a treasure trove of information, and one of the best press release writers and experts I know!
Thanks for taking the time to explain this in detail and share all your resources.
Hi Jill, Joan and Paul,
Please view my website. I’m so serious about the things I feel my book opens the door for parents to inform their children about. If you have the time to browse my website, you’ll see why I fee so anxious about every child being read the book. I wish I was in the position to give them all away. I’ve given away most of the books I have at coffee shops and out and about when I hear someone talking about children, mostly teachers and church school staff chatting. I just self-published it in April and have high hope and lots of need for guidance.
Teresa
My website is iwanttoknowhowtogrow.com. Teresa L. Irvin
Hi Jill,
You should be writing top tip, how-to, top mistakes, top questions type articles and then submit them to the top websites, ezines and article directories that parents are going to everyday. For example: Iparenting.com, About.com Child Parenting.
You should then turn your articles into videos. You should be tweeting about your article placements and about your ebook. You should be letting parents know on Facebook about your ebook and your articles are getting published.
I have 30+ article marketing case studies at: http://www.CrackingtheArticleMarketingCode.com that will show you how can get more website traffic, prospects and sales just by writing articles.
Check it out at: http://www.CrackingtheArticleMarketingCode.com
Eric, niche sites are a great suggestion! I tend to always forget about those because I seem to think “bloggers” first.
Thanks for the reminder and the resources.
What a valuable contribution to the health and well being of our children.
-Submit your book to the Mom’s Choice Awards–they are a book awards competition that acknowledges the best books that benefit families. They do a lot of promotion for their winners.
-Submit your book for review to parenting and perhaps nursing magazines, websites for teachers.
-Write articles with tips for parenting and family magazines. Include the name of your book and website at the bottom of the article.
Good luck!
Great suggestions, Martine.
Magazines like Family Circle and Redbook would be interested in this topic, too.
I also like your idea bout “mom awards.” I’ll bet a Google search of “mom awards” would turn up even more awards competitions that Jill could consider.
Hi Jill, your topic is so important and must be shouted from the rooftops. I formerly worked undercover to catch child sex-predators. Too many children are sexually abused-the numbers are staggering. I’d like to recommend becoming an Expert on Child Abuse by contacting Nancy Grace Producers:send them a copy of your book, your bio and tell them you’d be available as a guest. I’d be happy to share a resource at Nancy Graace with you privately. lisa@lisalockwood.com
Lisa, how generous of you!
I’m sure Jill will be in contact with you.
Jill,
I cannot imagine how difficult your job must be prosecuting sociopaths who hurt precious children but how glad I am that you do. Here are a few suggestions for marketing your important message.
Be consistent in establishing your credentials professionally first wherever you talk, post, or write because it’s a strength your position of authority brings to your endeavor. Your credentials alone will get people’s attention. I would find every mom’s blog site I could to spread your message. Moms connect. Moms know how to spread the word when it comes to their children.
Because blogging is time consuming, I would engage some of your colleagues to help spread your ‘message’ in every precinct at their finger tips. I would identify organizations who could buy 300 copies so they can be distributed where the need is. (Funding is available in places we cannot imagine.)
I would find out who buys for the New York City Libraries and pitch them then move to other cities. If your schedule permits give talks with a buy one get one. Donate a percentage to a fund that educates about sexual abuse of children, a subject some people still don’t want to accept. And while I don’t see children under twenty professionally, I see many adults who were abused as children and the scars are deep, painful and profound; your book will help kids feel empowered before these dreadful traumas occur.
Lastly, I would pace yourself realizing this is a marathon not a sprint so self-care and support for your endeavor is important. And as any calling teaches, we learn more and more as we go along and we get better and better at it.
Blessings and congratulations.
Mary Jane Hurley Brant, M.S., CGP
Yes, blogging is incredibly time-consuming. But I’ll bet Jill could do it.
Blogs are like giant magnets that pull in traffic and establish your expertise.
Love your idea bout the New York City librarties. So often, we tend to overlook libraries.
Dear Jill,
Congratulations on finishing your book and providing a great service to children and families. I would look to trade associations that may not have member magazines, too. Most associations have annual conferences and you could pitch the book to them as one of their give-aways or better yet, offer yourself as a speaker or conduct a workshop and bring copies of the book along.
Good luck!
Heather
How about encouraging associations to give away a book if somebody renews their membership? I’ll bet lots of associations are suffering in this bad economy.
Jill – congratulations on providing such valuable information. I suggest sending a copy of your book to Dr. Laura, who has her own syndicated show. Whether you agree with all of her advice or not, she is a big children’s advocate and covers a new book at least weekly on her radio program. You might also research reaching the producers of the Nancy Grace show.
Regards, Christel Hall APR CBC
PRowrite Public Relations
http://www.prowrite-pr.com
@christelhall
Christel, Dr. Laura is a perfect fit!
Based on an article I read a few weeks ago, it may be a good time for you to approach radio. It said many radio sales reps are including air time, the ad on the podcast, ad on their website, and an ad in their e-newsletter. You get far more leverage for your money because radio revenue is down.
Open with a very well-told story (and doesn’t have to be long) of a child and his/her family who were helped by your book. Drive traffic to a UNIQUE landing page on your website solely for this promotion. Have a special offer with scarcity (either quantity or time) for this audience only. Let your voice be heard so prospects can make a personal connection with you and your passion for the subject.
Look for stations and time slots with audiences that align with your target market. And for added credibility (although being a prosecutor is great), be sure the station knows where else you’ve been featured (newspapers; magazines; where you’ve had book signings and how popular they were; etc.). Good luck!
Jill, don’t forget the many Internet radio shows and podcasts that might love to have you as a guest.
I also think this topic is perfect for NPR. Go to the NPR site at http://www.npr.org and use the search box at the top of the site to find shows that already have featured this topic, then pitch.
I would call local and nearby television affiliate producers and ask if you can have five minutes of their time for you to introduce yourself and give them a copy of your book. This allows you a face-to-face so that you may display your demeanor on such an emotional subject, and puts you visibly in-mind for when they need your expertise.
You may also want to do a quick “this is who I am and why” YouTube clip and offer the link to traditional media who cannot meet with you.
Gail, let me take your idea one step further.
When there’s a big child molestation story in the news in the New York City TV market, THAT’S when Jill should pitch the local TV stations.
She could even piggyback onto a big national story, and she could convince the New York TV stations that she and her book are “the local angle.”
Once you follow all the steps Paul has outlined, how about contacting UNICEF? You can work out a tie-in of some sort benefit both parties.
Another great nonprofit that might want to partner! Thanks, Rich.