Dan Poynter on How to Find a Publisher

Guest Column: Dan Poynter on How to Find a Publisher

Perhaps you would rather a publisher handle the production and distribution of your book. The secret is to match your manuscript to the publisher.Better publishers specialize in one or two niche markets. They know their subjects and do not have to send your manuscript out to a reader for evaluation. They also know how to reach the potential buyer and can jump-start your sales by plugging your book into their existing distribution system to specialty shops.

To find these specialized publishers, check your own bookshelf and visit a couple of larger bookstores. Look on that shelf where your book will be. Search your topic at an online bookstore such as www.Amazon.com. Then go to your nearby larger public library and consult Books In Print, a multi-volume reference listing all the books that are currently available for sale.

Look for smaller publishers who do good work. Then look up their addresses in the last volume of BIP. When you contact a smaller, specialized publisher, you will often get through to the top person. The editor or publisher will know what you are talking about and they are usually very helpful. They will be able to tell you instantly whether the proposed book will fit into their line.

Another way to match your manuscript to the publisher is to see the listings of appropriate acquisition editors in Literary Market Place but remember that LMP lists larger publishers not all of them. Also check the Acknowledgments in books similar to yours; authors often reference their editor.

Call the editor (or the publisher in a smaller house), reference the similar title they published and ask if he or she would like to see your manuscript. Then you will have someone to send your work to. Never just mail a manuscript off to a publishing company; always send it to a specific person. Larger publishers receive more than 200 unsolicited manuscripts every day.Most are not opened. They are rubber-stamped "Return to Sender". You are getting rejected without being read.

AGENTS. Many publishers prefer to have manuscripts filtered through agents.In this case, you must match your manuscript to the agent because they specialize too. See books like yours and contact the agents of those books. Check the Acknowledgements; authors often acknowledge their agent. Or make a Google search and contact the author.

Don't send manuscripts, proposals or query letters randomly out to just any publisher. Send to publishers who know what you're talking about, want to hear from you and know where to sell your book. Do your homework!

Unleash Your Inner Author…RESOURCE FOR BOOK WRITING, PUBLISHING AND PROMOTING Dan Poynter's F-R-E-E e-zine: http://parapublishing.com/sites/para/resources/newsletter.cfm

Reprinted from 'PR/PR Pulse, a free e-zine featuring tips and techniques for gaining publicity. To receive this e-zine, please send an email to newsletter@prpr.net with 'Add Me' in the subject line.

Joan Stewart on Editorial Calendars (PR/PR Pulse)

Joan Stewart on Editorial Calendars

If you aren't taking advantage of editorial calendars from newspapers and magazines in which you want coverage, you're missing a valuable tool. An editorial calendar is a list that outlines specific topics the publication will address within each issue that year. It also notes topics of special sections and other supplements. The calendars are printed primarily for advertisers so they can plan their advertising budget months ahead. For Publicity Hounds, editorial calendars are also valuable road maps that help you pinpoint the issue where your story might best fit.

Editorial calendars from several publications, placed side-by-side, give you a bird's-eye view of which publications you should target with your story ideas, and when. Far too many businesses learn about special sections only when a newspaper advertising rep calls asking them to buy an ad. By that time, most of the stories for the section are already assigned to reporters.

For a free editorial calendar, direct your request to the publication's advertising department. While you're at it, ask for the entire media kit. It's loaded with valuable information about audience demographics.

For more information, visit: http://www.publicityhound.com/ .

Reprinted from 'PR/PR Pulse, a free e-zine featuring tips and techniques for gaining publicity. To receive this e-zine, please send an email to newsletter@prpr.net with 'Add Me' in the subject line.

Brian Jud on Media Skills to Market Your Book or Product

Brian Jud on Media Skills to Market Your Book or Product

Have you wondered why celebrities being interviewed on television can look so calm when millions of people are watching them? And have you ever wondered if you could do that?

You can appear on national television and radio, and you can appear calm and collected, just like the actors you see every day. And like actors, you cannot simply show up for performances. Actors learn their lines and rehearse them until they create a believable, entertaining performance.

The key to any good performance is preparation. Good media guests need to know what they are going to say during all their performances and practice their delivery of each word before hand. Adequate preparation will make you more confident in your ability to perform and help you relax while you are on the air.

You have heard it said that practice makes perfect. However, that is not necessarily true. Practice makes permanent, so you have to make sure you are rehearsing the right things. Before you appear on any media event, engage the services of a professional media trainer so the techniques you make permanent are the right ones.

Practice on a regular basis and you will conduct professional and successful interviews. Your practice sessions can be as formal or informal as you want them to be. They run the gamut from talking into a cassette recorder or performing before your video camera. One technique is to have someone who knows nothing about your subject ask you questions. This simulates most interviews, and it will help you practice responding to unexpected questions.

Practice can be as easy and fun as listening to, or watching, talk shows. On television, watch how successful guests interact with the host and audience.Try watching the show on which you are scheduled to appear, with the sound off to focus your attention on the guests. How do they sit? What do they wear? What are the seating arrangements and backgrounds? What are the predominant camera angles? Incorporate what you see into your own performance.

Turn the sound back on and listen to the host. How are questions asked? How does he or she stimulate audience participation? What is the pace of the show? On radio, listen to the interaction between guests and host and between guests and callers. What makes one show better than others? How are stories woven into the author's answers? Does the guest answer the host's questions directly or follow his or her own agenda? The important point is to do something every day to improve your media skills.

Brian Jud is host of the television show, The Book Authority, a media coach and author of the media-training video program, You're On The Air. Brian also hosts Book Central Station where you can find rated lists of suppliers to help you write, publish and market your books. For a free trial, go to http://www.bookcentralstation.com/trial.asp

Contact Brian at P. O. Box 715,Avon, CT 06001; (800) 562-4357; brianjud@bookmarketing.com or go to http://www.bookmarketing.com Need Help Marketing Your Book? Get free book-marketing tips every other week in Brian Jud's Book Marketing Matters e-newsletter. Go to: www.bookmarketing.com to sign up!

Reprinted from 'PR/PR Pulse,' a free e-zine featuring tips and techniques for gaining publicity. To receive this e-zine, please send an email to newsletter@prpr.net with 'Add Me' in the subject line.

Pam Lontos of PR/PR on Creating Articles for Publicity

Pam Lontos Column: Writing That Sells!

Q&A on Creating Articles for Publicity

Q. Will writing articles help bring in new clients or sell more products?

Yes, articles are a great way to get information to consumers about a product, book, service or company. However, you have to write the "right"kind of articles - those that are not self-promotional but instead focus on how-to tips for the readers. These will help you establish more credibility and reach a targeted audience. Articles help because you can target magazines from your existing customer base, and also reach new markets with different magazines.

Q. What is the best way to decide what to write about? Do you have any tips on great article ideas? What is a bad article?

The best way to write is to write about what you know. If you are an expert on etiquette, write advice about that. If your focus is on regional cooking,write articles on that. If you know the best way to climb the corporate ladder, then by all means, share your advice. The only bad articles are the ones that provide no "real" content or fail to provide the readers with interesting, how-to tips. Bad articles are self-promotional; after all, no one wants to hear about how great you are or how great your product is.Readers DO want to know how you can help solve their problems or how your product can resolve their issues.

Q. What market would be best for your article? How do you decide who to target?

Well, it depends on what you are trying to promote and who would be interested in your product or service. If you are an etiquette expert who helps executives or business professionals polish their manners, you should target business publications. If you are an etiquette expert with a program for teaching children, you probably want to reach mothers with children. For that, you would target your article towards women's and parenting magazines.

Q. Which editors should you target within those markets and how do you get in touch with them?

Read up on the magazines in your target market. If you want women's magazines, stop by the library or newsstand and pick up some of the top publications. Get familiar with their writing style and how frequently they publish articles. There is usually a masthead in each magazine that features the editors' information. Of course, you can also find this information online, as most magazines have their own websites. You may want to see what stories they plan to work on, too, so try to find their editorial calendar.

Q. Is it smart to pitch your idea in a query letter? Or should you write the full article and send it in?

It depends on how much time you have! There are many books out there that talk about what to include in a query letter. Having some solid idea or a written outline may help you get your article into the publication you desire. Not everyone has the time to write a complete article without knowing if or when the publication will use it.

Q. I don't feel like my writing is as strong as it could be. Would I be better off hiring a professional writer?

If you're a great writer and you know how to write in a "magazine style"then you should write the article. If you don't have the time, energy or knowledge to write like a professional, consider hiring a ghostwriter. This ghostwriter can be used to help you write or edit the articles. Some ghostwriters charge by the hour; others charge per word. Ask your friends and colleagues for references, if they have any, or check out the Internet for ghostwriters.

Q. What are some tips for writing great articles?

Know your audience when you write, and provide them with helpful tips and insightful information. Many topics have been written about, but think of how you can update that topic or add a unique perspective. Provide your readers with something that they can take away, whether it is knowledge about their industry, tips on how to do something better or insights on a unique product or book. Articles with more 'meat' and how-to tips are the ones that will bring you more business.

Pam Lontos is the president of PR/PR, a public relations firm that specializes in professional speakers, authors and experts. An author,speaker and former VP of Disney's Shamrock Broadcasting, Pam knows the ropes of getting you good publicity and how to use it to boost your bookings or book sales. Call for a free consultation: 407-299-6128 or visit:www.prpr.net.

Reprinted from 'PR/PR Pulse,' a free e-zine featuring tips and techniques for gaining publicity. To receive this e-zine, please send an email tonewsletter@prpr.net with 'Add Me' in the subject line.

Pam Lontos of PR/PR on Gaining Publicity- Part 1

1. Pam Lontos Column: The Dos and Don'ts of Dealing with the Media

PartOne

As a business owner, you probably know how important publicity is to the success of your business. But the truth is, many entrepreneurs, high-level executives and even marketing and public relations managers (and maybe you're one of them) make crucial mistakes when dealing with the media - and then they end up on reporter's block call or spam e-mail lists. The good news is, by being aware of the more common dos and don'ts of dealing with reporters and editors, there are many steps you can take to avoid these pitfalls!

Reporters, editors and producers are deluged with requests from hopeful business owners, corporate public-relations professionals, authors and other people seeking coverage. Their days are spent meeting impossible deadlines while doing copious amounts of work, all the while constantly communicating with all of those publicity-seekers.

So, if you're ready to get the publicity your business deserves, here are 15 tried-and-true ways to get the most out of your media contacts, and ensure reporters, editors and producers answer your calls and respond to your e-mails:

1. DON'T forge ahead with whatever is on your mind when speaking to a reporter. DO ask if the reporter is on deadline. Journalists' time is as important as yours, and their deadline pressures are horrendous. If they're on deadline, ask for a good time to call back.

2. DON'T be self-promotional; DO make sure to share actual information with viewers or readers. DO give value-added tips, advice or information so that you will help improve people's lives, offer insights or entertain. If you can achieve that goal every time, the media will always make time for you or even actively pursue you for interviews and articles.

3. DON'T say, "The answer is in my book/the products on my Web site/the report we sell, etc" rather than giving out the information during radio, TV or print media interviews. DON'T be seduced by the thought that people should pay the price of the book to learn what you think. DO view your interview as a way to show how valuable you and your thoughts and ideas are. That's the best advertising you could possibly do to sell your business!

4. DON'T ask the reporter to send you his or her article so you can review and approve it in advance. DO provide follow-up contact information and offer to be available to clarify any confusing points or answer additional questions. Offer to help the writer check facts or review small sections of the article for accuracy.

5. DON'T fail to prepare for interviews or fail to familiarize yourself withthe readership or audience. DON'T assume everyone should be interested inyour subject matter, just because. DO make sure your subject matter appeals to the media's target audience. If you are calling up an editor at Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, make sure you're pitching an article that fits with the homey, consumer-oriented material the magazine specializes in. Read the magazines you want to be quoted in; watch the interview shows where you want to be a guest.

6. DON'T ever nag the reporter. DO space out your calls so you do not become a pest. Use e-mail rather than expecting to connect every time by phone - many journalists rely on e-mail as a way to get work done quickly, and many let most calls go to voice mail anyway.

7. DON'T assume the reporter or editor remembers who you are. DO remember they deal with multiple sources and many different subject matters. Immediately identify yourself by name or by topic before launching into the purpose of your call - even if you spoke to the same journalist the week before.

Next month, part two of Pam's article will showcase more Dos and Don'ts when it comes to publicity!

Pam Lontos is the president of PR/PR, a public relations firm that specializes in professional speakers, authors and experts. An author, speaker and former VP of Disney's Shamrock Broadcasting, Pam knows the ropes of getting you good publicity and how to use it to boost your bookings or book sales. She is also author of the new book, "I See Your Name Everywhere!" Call for a free consultation: 407-299-6128 or visit: http://www.prpr.net/ .

Reprinted from 'PR/PR Pulse,' a free e-zine featuring tips and techniques for gaining publicity. To subscribe, send an e-mail to newsletter@prpr.net with 'Add Me' in the subject line.

Note from Erin: I have personally worked with Pam when researching articles. As a journalist, I find her to be one of the best sources for vetted, tried and true information. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to her newsletter to see for yourself.

Calendar of Events and Publicity Opportunities

Calendar of Events/Publicity Opportunities

If your expertise fits any of these topics, take advantage by sending out a press release to newspaper, television and radio stations, or call up the media directly! For example, if you are a diversity consultant, professor,speaker or author, you'll want to let the media know about your expertise for "Celebrate Diversity Month," in April. You can share your advice on how to implement a more diverse workplace, what benefits there are to improving diversity in your company, and provide insights on challenges to diversity.

Use these dates to create your own media opportunities by writing press releases on these topics, contacting radio stations in your area, or becoming a featured expert on television or in print:

- April is Celebrate Diversity Month - A national observance that celebrates diversity in workplaces and communities.

- April is International Customer Loyalty Month - Created to honor and generate customer loyalty. Take this time to strategize and develop new ways to improve relationships with customers through better service and a higher quality business.

- April is Workplace Conflict Awareness Month - This is a time for employees and employers to become aware of these conflicts and to learn how to deal with and manage them through communication.

- The first week in April is Laugh at work Week - Created to inform people of the importance of laughter and humor in the workplace. Humor helps improve productivity, teamwork, job satisfaction, stress relief, and employee retention.

- The first week in April is National Women's Nutrition Week - A week dedicated to recognizing the value of health in all phases of a woman's life and educating women about the importance of nutrition.

- The second week in April is Explore Your Career Options Week - A week designed to urge employees to recognize their unique talents and get a fresh start by taking stock of all the available options.

- The third week in April is Consumer Awareness Week - A week aimed at advising and helping consumers become aware of their rights.

- The fourth week in April is National TV Turnoff Week - A week created to encourage Americans to turn off their televisions to promote healthier and more connected families and communities.

- April 12 Easter Sunday

- April 13 is Easter Monday - National Holiday

Reprinted from 'PR/PR Pulse, a free e-zine featuring tips and techniques for gaining publicity. To subscribe, send an e-mail to newsletter@prpr.net with 'Add Me' in the subject line.