Publicist Roberta Stein of Skokie, IL, writes this Help This Hound question:
Sandi Berger, my new client, wrote a new book, “Fitnevision: Create Your Lifestyle Vision Starting From The Inside Out.”
“At her website, , and in her book, Sandi shares the story that healed her and led to her becoming a personal trainer and life coach in Chicago.
“In the 1970s, Sandi experienced both depression and crippling panic attacks. The doctor she sought help from advised her to take medicine in the benzodiazepan family, such as Valium or Xanax. She knew these drugs were potentially addicting and felt that if she took them, she would be exchanging one problem for another. She decided to try her own self-styled cure….adopting a lifestyle of exercise and positive thinking. These practices DID cure Sandi.
“In her book, she tells readers how they too can find a healthy, stress-free life. Because there is a lot of documentation, both on and offline, that backs up Sandi’s findings, I have thought of finding a psychotherapist, to be interviewed with Sandi, attesting to the validity of the message in her book.
“But I’m wondering if your Hounds can think of additional ways to promote this new book. I welcome their ideas. Thanks, in advance, for any help you can send my way.”
Sounds like a wonderful book. I am going to check it out! I also was pushed to take anti-depressants during a stressful period in my life and refused, but I did not exercise, I slept a lot and gained weight which I am now trying to shed. But so happy I was strong in my convictions about taking medication, it would not have fixed anything.
How about a call out for interviews or conduct an online survey targeting people who have had similar situations and have them discuss how they handled it. Each person who participates will share with their networks and the message would be authentic and real. It would also offer your client the opportunity to share her advice and expertise in various scenarios.
Donna, love your idea of making people who have suffered the same ailments part of the story. Thanks for stopping by.
You might try offering review copies to “clean eating” bloggers, as well as “paleo diet” bloggers. They are very in to holistic lifestyle choices, and many have blogged about the many chronic maladies they have cured with diet and lifestyle choices. In addition to requesting reviews, Sandi could offer herself for chat sessions or podcast interviews, and do a sort of virtual blog tour, visiting a different site every day for a week or two.
Target the top 5 fitness podcasts on iTunes, and offer Sandi as an interview guest, along with a copy of the book for the host to give away.
Sandi could also consider developing a 6 or 9-week program, perhaps in conjunction with the psychotherapist, where Sandi would mentor a small group of people through the program, then document and publicize those results.
Sandi could also partner with a personal life coach for a “total makeover” type promotion, perhaps doing a panel discussion at a local library.
Create a Pinterest board to pin motivational quotes – particularly ones excerpted from her book. Also pin useful exercises or other fitness resources. Anything to help position her as a fitness expert.
Hope these ideas help!
Angie, you’re a top dog! I LOVE the Pinterest idea! Thanks for doing a brain dump. (You have a good brain.)
As a Publicity Virtual Assistant my first thought is to put a press release out about this book and if not that, then, at least, an article. Blogging and social media are all tools that can be used to promote your book.
I too have been very depressed at a time in my life that if I could have found a mentor, I would have been able to work through this time easier. Instead, the doctors said that I needed to go on meds which just added to the problem by causing me to gain a pile of weight. I am still trying to lose it. As there have been 2 of us who have been in the depressed people group, writing about how the author used exercise to help her out of this state could help many more. Blogging and developing a following would also generate interest in the book.
Thanks for the reminder, Carol, about press releases.
If anyone is struggling with how to write press releases, I have a free press release tutorial, delivered by email, at http://www.89PressReleaseTips.com.
How about partnering with yoga studios, chiropractors and other holistic health practioners? Most of these folks try to guide people away from prescription meds so maybe they would coordinate a presentation/book signinig with Sandi for their clients and local community.
Also, you could also suggest they buy in a larger/discounted quantity and then hand out the book for free to new patients/clients or as a thank you for referrals. You could start locally, and if all goes well, you could easily expand the offer on a national or global scale.
Love it, Cheryl. You’re on a roll!
WOW was I thrilled to read your wonderful suggestions. I send a huge “thank you” to all of you who commented. And Joan, a big THANK YOU to you. You’re providing an incredible service to publicists. I’m so grateful to you and your followers.
With thanks again,
Roberta Stein
So glad we could help, Roberta. Please spread the word about Help This Hound. It’s free!