In the world of blogs, tweets and social networking, creating buzz around your book is easier than ever. But how do you reach reporters from traditional media? The traditional press release is still a great way to let people know of your newest book project.
Wait! How to I achieve fame and fortune with a traditional press release you ask. We can’t guarantee fame and fortune but with these five steps and a little elbow grease, you will be well on your way.
Try these steps when putting together your next release:
1. Keep the editor(s) in mind. Hundreds of releases vie for their attention each week, so make yours relevant and accurate.
2. Write your press release! Keep these things in mind while crafting your release-
- Be catchy! Write a headline that grabs attention and summarizes your main point. Then, because the first paragraph is often the only one that’s read, make sure it covers who, what, when, where, why and how.
- Be brief. Keep your release to one page or 400 words. The end.
- Be current. Highlight something about your product in your release that’s relevant to current events.
- Be available. Make sure you put your current contact information (E-mail, phone number, fax…) so that those that are interested can reach you.
3. Create a relationship! With your local lifestyles, arts section, book reviewers, local bookstores and editors. The more they know about you and your book the more willing to read your press release.
4. Send it out! Either to a targeted list of regional and local reporters or an e-press release over a news wire service - choose a list that you can handle when following up.
5. Ask for help. If you’re having trouble, visit Lulu Services and look into a professional press release.
5 Comments
Your article on writing press releases would have been of more use if you had attached a few example press releases.
Wise words, Thanx for the advice
Robin, here is an example of a well-written press release: http://www.lulu.com/uk/services/marketing/index.php (this is the press release primer on the site) or you can go to the Lulu press center (lulupresscenter.com) to read some of Lulu’s press releases. I hope this helps!
John Lutz reviewed my book Proof of Perfection, john Lutz wrote, you may quote me. “Talented and unique writer”
Hi, Lauren:
This was written by a friend of mine about a book I wrote through Lulu.com.
New Sci-Fi Novel Uses Slave Clones: The New Other?
by Tara Santana
How will human clones be treated in the future? With the momentum of today’s technology, society will soon be faced to answer this question. No doubt, the solution will have far reaching implications for politics, religion, labor, the family institution, and even, sexual relations.
R. C. Lulay shows his dark vision of biogenetic engineering in Clone Medusa, a violent, erotic, narcotic-powered science fiction story that exposes society’s certain inability to deal with “the clone question.”
If the topic of human replication isn’t controversial enough, the author thrusts his characters into a brutal
America caught between a fascist government and a growing underground of ecological terrorists. Lulay gives a critical view of both sides through the eyes of his main character, a sexually abused clone named Angela 963
who strives to find her own identity while trying to survive drug addiction and life in the pornography industry.
On a larger scale, the book represents clones as a new slave class, a new kind of Other in science fiction, which
ultimately rebels against its masters. Led on an apocalyptic mission by the Angela clone, the new evolution in humanity attempts to return Earth to an Edenic condition–ironically inspired by radical feminism and addiction recovery! Written in a similar tone and mood to George Orwell’s 1984 and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Clone Medusa is not for the faint of heart. A quick read (only 144 pp), the novel excels in its capacity to entertain Science-Fiction fans and especially those who enjoy Futurism.
http://www.lulu.com/content/3976727