Joyce Restaino of Newfoundland, NJ, writes:
“We’re on the final push seeking contributing authors for the forthcoming book Jersey Women Mean Business: Big, Bold Business Advice from 100 New Jersey Women Business Owners—Practical Pointers, Solutions, and Strategies for Business, which will be published by Woodpecker Press, a company that helps authors self-publish.
“The investment is $595, and 50 New Jersey women business owners have already committed to write chapters. Since this is a self-published book, the media typically aren’t interested.
“However, there are plenty of benefits for those contributing a chapter, such as a professional video clip of each author talking about her chapter and her business ($600 value); an opportunity to be a guest on a blog talk radio business show; PR and social media training; opportunities to appear on business panels after the book is published in 2012; discounts and special author-only programs.
“To attract authors, we have used email, direct mail, phone follow-up, workshops, and in-person appearances to talk about the book and its benefits.
“We’re making one final push for contributing authors and would love suggestions from all of your Publicity Hounds on how to involve more authors and attract publicity. Here’s the landing page.”
Hi Joyce,
My first thought is don’t discount the “media” just expand your definition. Bloggers are a type of media that you can reach out to. See if you can get a guest post in on short notice on relevant blogs. You might also be able to find reviewers for after the fact or the beginnings of a blog tour that way too.
You also haven’t mentioned social media. If you and all the other authors posted simply asking if your friends know anyone who might be interested in contributing, it might not take much to fill your spots.
Lastly, once the book is out, don’t discount the media entirely. Both of my local papers are very independent author friendly so teaching your authors how to approach them could be another benefit you could add.
Cheryl,
Thank you for your feedback and suggestions. I especially like your suggestion about reaching out to bloggers to write a guest post.
Joyce
Joyce, I think you’d get a lot more publicity for the book if you didn’t focus on the book.
Instead, focus on the EXPERTISE of the women who have written chapters. Pitch a story, or write press release on the following topics:
–What is the most important leadership quality each woman will be looking for in the presidential candidates in 2012?
–What’s the one topic they wish the candidates would discuss less, and the one topic they wish the candidates would discuss more?
–What’s the one piece of advice they would offer to a New Jersey business woman who suddenly finds herself out of a job, either because she has been fired or laid off or her job has been eliminated?
–What’s the best tip they can offer to other New Jersey women who own their own businesses on how to thrive—not just survive—in this lousy economy?
–What’s the biggest mistake each of them has made, and the lesson learned, that has gotten them to where they are today? (I love this one.)
If anybody—bloggers, reporters, freelancers—writes about this, guess what they’ll mention? The book, of course.
Joan,
What can I say. You’ve given us enough ideas to write and send press release for an entire month.
Thanks!
Joyce
Another idea. You can find New Jersey business women on Twitter very easily by searching one of the many Twitter directories. I like Twellow.com. Follow them, retweet their content, and ask them to retweet info about the book.
Joan,
Will definitely follow up on this!
Thanks,
Joyce
Another valuable tool I just thought of is LinkedIn. Use it these two ways:
–Use the Advanced Search function to look for business women in New Jersey. Once you find them, you can study their profiles, identify ones you want to connect with, then look on the right side of the screen to see if any are connected to your connections. If so, you can ask for an introduction. Don’t pitch right out of the gate, however.
–In the menu, go to Groups and search Groups for New Jersey business women. Plug in keywords just you do when searching Google. Join those groups but do not pitch coming out of the gate. And make sure you understand what the group’s rules are regarding promotions. There are many authors groups on LinkedIn, too.