DISQUS

Anne Z. · 2 years ago

So when do you give that questionnaire to the author?

Seems to me the author herself ought to be mainly responsible for hooking up with rank-and-file blogs. I hate getting emailed by marketing people about books when the author should be contacting me him or herself. For example, I got Daniel Gross' book from a marketing person -- had no idea who he was or what his ideas were like -- tossed it in my pile of "maybe I'll read this someday" -- then later saw he writes for Newsweek and Slate. Too late though, the moment passed for me and I still didn't read the book. (Anyway, doesn't everyone know that bubbles are good for the economy? Seems obvious to me).

If he had contacted me directly I'd be much more likely to do something with his book, maybe read it, maybe even review it on Amazon or on a blog.

That's one thing Tim Ferriss did -- he reached out himself to lots of bloggers, individually. He didn't rely on his publisher to do it.

I think the publisher needs to do the traditional media stuff though. Most authors aren't equipped to issue press releases and don't have contacts within traditional media organizations while that's exactly what the publishing company should be bringing to the table.

Ted Demopoulos, Blogging for B · 2 years ago

I think I got some kind of a questionnaire, but the questions were pretty generic, and although I spent time on it I can pretty much guarantee it was 95%+ ignored.

I took on the blogger outreach (and much of everything else) myself, as I expected I'd need to

Chris · 2 years ago

Points taken on authors reaching out to bloggers. Not all authors are as willing to do that, and we feel its critical.

Having said that, we like to think we "get it" and don't send a typical "marketing mailing" to bloggers, but if an author is willing to do the legwork to make the contacts we do think that's a bit more genuine.

Jennifer Webb · 2 years ago

I've really involved many of my authors in this process and have found it very effective to reach out to bloggers. A recently published author made the initial contact regarding the book and then I sent out the books once the blogger agreed to receive it. Often the authors already know these bloggers anyway, but it is still a nice courtesy. This way, the authors are making the personal contact, but not being burdened with the mailing and costs.

Dana Lynn Smith · 10 months ago

Great list of questions, Chris! Before I develop a book marketing plan for an author or indie publisher, I give the author a list of questions similar to these. The author is in the best position to know who are the most important contacts and influencers in their field, and I agree that it's more effective for authors to contact bloggers directly.
Cheers,
Dana

Marilyn · 8 months ago

With a list like this, your sales should soar! My book just came out so I appreciate all the tips I can get, because I realized early on that a publisher publishes but they don't market your book. You have to become a marketing expert. Thanks for offering the author these good marketing tools.
Marilyn

min · 6 months ago

Wait...so you're telling us that the publisher doesn't already know what blogs to advertise on? Really? Or is it that you're wondering if the author already has a following somewhere that they may not know about? These just seemed like questions that the publisher would know the answers to, not first time authors.

Keith G. · 2 months ago

How about the editor actually reading the book and believing in it enough to give the writer an advance and letting his sales and marketing handle the promotion B.S.

Peace,

Keith G.