People will ask me all the time, "Why do I need a publicist?" If you have to ask the question, chances are you probably need one. Why? Because there are too many stories, too many angles, and too many opportunities you might miss by not knowing the rules of the game, so to speak. Authors, speakers, small business owners (turned authors) often launch headlong into their marketing campaign with little or no regard for the steps and the process of getting media. Some authors stumble into success after success, and that's great, but it's often not the norm. Why? Because in our zeal to tell the world about our story, we often stumble over our own efforts. We send pitches that are too long, or send them to the wrong person. Or we get a media person on the phone and fumble our elevator pitch. All of these things can rob authors of the chance to get some coverage for their book .
Over the years, a lot has changed in publicity. Players have come and gone, pitching windows have narrowed, and with so many stories vying for airtime, your 15 minutes of fame often seems like 15 seconds. To be successful, not just once but continually, you need to understand how publicity people view each facet of their job (and the pitch) and how they garner the media they do. Generally it's not one thing, it's a collection of tasks publicity people do over and over that gets them traction on a story.
Let's look at some of the things we do on an ongoing basis and how you might be able to apply them to your own marketing efforts:
- Think like a journalist: This is probably the most important and the most difficult. When I say "think like a journalist" what I mean is thinking objectively and not thinking about yourself, your book, or your pitch because those don't matter. The only thing a journalist cares about is "Will this interest my readers." If you can work using that objectivity, you'll gain greater access to media, both online and off, than you could have ever imagined.
Being a publicist is more than just knowing how to craft a snazzy email, it's a process and an ongoing effort. If done right, you can really pull in a lot of great mentions, features and even reviews. Building media relationships takes a while, and there are no shortcuts, but if done effectively, these relationships can grow and flourish throughout your career. And remember: Media loves media. The more you get, the more you'll get. Know the rules, honor the rules and perhaps if you're lucky, the media will beat a path to your door.