FREE publicity is one of the best ways to promote yourself as well as your books. Over the years, I have done almost 1000 radio interviews, 50 television interviews and countless print interviews, including national publications. I know from personal experience that this kind of media attention can help you SELL MORE BOOKS.
Becoming a Media Expert To GET Publicity
If you are a fiction writer, I will be upfront in telling you that getting publicity can be extremely difficult. However, IF you write non-fiction with a concentration in a specific niche, you can easily establish a name for yourself and become a GO TO media expert.
One of the ways to get started is to start looking for reporters and bloggers who need the information you have available to share. Making contact is easier than you think!
HARO or Help A Reporter Out is a website where reporters and professional bloggers submit their questions, ask for quotes from experts and look for story sources. YOU as the topic expert, submit your answers, quotes or information and connect with the reporter.
This is a fabulous way for the reporters to get fast answers to their inquiries, and a great way for you to position yourself as an expert and get positive publicity for your book(s).
You may just answer a question or two … or you may end up will full interviews … including print (news sources, magazines, blogs) radio, TV and podcast interviews.
I’ve had interviews that have lasted five minutes, many interviews that lasted an hour or more and one EPIC radio talk show interview that went on for almost four hours … until my voice gave out.
There are over 29,000 reporters registered with HARO … and they ask over 200 questions a day. Which questions can you help out with?
Here is a quote that pretty well says it all!
“HARO has helped put us on the map! From responding to journalist’s inquiries, we have gotten articles posted, radio interviews, and an opportunity to drive members to our knowledge network. HARO is a real resource and a door opener for business.”
Amy Kopelan
The Guru Nation
If you want to appear in the media more often join HARO.
Sign up HERE. There is a free option as well as several paid options.
Here is a fabulous “must read” article from Heroic Search. How to Use HARO to Earn Valuable Mentions and Links gives you step-by-step instructions on how to find and respond to HARO requests. HARO is a great tool for PR and content marketing, especially for for small business who want to do their own PR and get positive media coverage!
Interviewing Experts As Part Of Your Publicity Strategy
Sign up on HARO’s “reporters” side. Ask your questions. You never know who you will get an answer from, and the fabulous connections that are possible.
If you record guest podcasts or write articles on your website, this is a way to expand your sphere, and get loads of great content. You may have seen articles where several well-know people “weigh-in” on specific topics or questions … HARO is one of the services that help connect the author with all those experts.
It is a great way of connecting with some amazing, knowledgeable and well-known people.
Depending on your topic, you may even be able to connect with enough people to collaborate on a book filled with other people’s best content. The whole Chicken Soup phenomena (which is now over 200 books) is written by writers, bloggers, experts, and newbies all wanting to tell their stories and happily participating in creating a fabulous book. They are also getting their share of the book’s publicity and can use their inclusion in a Chicken Soup book to enhance their own publicity.
Want to know MORE about getting FREE publicity?
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