Resources & Articles - RE-Leesburg.com

When it comes to the promotion of your book it is important to know that: "Publicity is the voice of visibility." This is a terrific message to all of you authors out there. When it comes to getting the word out about your book in order to drive sales, nothing can beat a great public relations campaign.

But how do you find a publicist that best fits you and your book? Here Marsha Friedman, Chief Executive Officer of Event Management Services Inc, a national publicity firm shares her 10 tips to find the best publicist for your book.

1. Find a publicist that works in your genre. If you book is financial, find a firm that works exclusively with that genre of book. Marsha Friedman says, "The same holds true for fiction publicists, children's books, etc"

2. Find a publicist that will take the time to research your topic enough to understand how to communicate your message to the media. Marsha Friedman adds, "You don't want a publicist that will rush through your topic and campaign to varying successes. Choose one who is interested enough to ask questions and really grasp what your message is."

3. Make sure that the publicist is a specialist in your choice of media. Marsha Friedman says, "Every publicist you come across may not be specialized in the tv, radio or print that you desire. It is a known fact in the industry that if a publicist does not specialize in the media you choose, they will refer your business to another company." So, if for example you've written a book on fashion or photography - the best exposure for your book would obviously be print or TV, as they're both visual mediums. In this case, you want a publicist who procures print and TV placements on an ongoing basis.

4. Ask for sample campaigns. Sure, it will be the publicist's best foot forward, but a sample will still demonstrate their skill and proficiency at obtaining media.

5. Along with reviewing sample campaigns, speak to past clients, too, if you have the slightest hesitation about engaging their services.

6. Make sure to look at the price tag and shop around. When choosing a publicity firm it is more about their results than their fancy metropolitan locale.

7. And speaking of fees - in the book industry you'll find many publicists who work on a performance or project basis. Marsha Friedman says, "There are many firms out there that charge on a project basis while there are others that will charge you every month regardless of their results. So, steer clear of monthly retainer based firms."

8. Look past the hype. Marsha Friedman adds, "Sales people can really build confidence, but in the end they are not the ones that will be handling the campaign So, don't be shy about asking who will be writing your press releases and who will be pitching you to the media. You need to see what their experience level is, the amount of time they were at the firm and anything else you want to know about them. After all the time, money and hard work you invested in writing your book, you want to make sure your campaign isn't being delegated to a rookie out of college."

9. Don't limit your search to local agencies. Marsha Friedman says, "This point is really important if you are interested in gaining the attention of the local media. You don't have to regularly have face-to-face meetings with your publicity firm. The work involved can be done via phone. So focus your efforts on finding the best publicity..period!" 9. One last point - find a firm that has an understanding of your topic and an enthusiasm for your message! Many times, the determination of your publicity team can be a major reason for their successes in obtaining media coverage for you.

So think about it: Nothing can get your book more visibility than the right publicist! The journey to finding the perfect publicist for your book is down to these ten easy tips.If you would like to learn more about gaining media attention for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Friedman is available to be of service . Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a public relations expert Marsha Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without budget busting monthly retainers.