Comments on: Should you hire a book publicist? Here’s everything you need to know

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 20:55:22 +0000

That’s excellent advice, Sonia! Thanks! I’ll enhance it by saying give before you take. I estimate that every 5th LinkedIn connection request I accept is followed by a direct message telling me what that person wants me to do for them. (And yet, I’m continually surprised when it happens…you’d think I’d catch on! ; – ) )

Thank you!

Sandy

By: Sonia Frontera

Sonia Frontera — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 20:21:37 +0000

Excellent, eye-opening article! It will spare many authors from going down the wrong path. Your candid approach confirmed my belief that hiring a publicist was not the right decision for me.

If funds are tight, networking is a powerful way to get yourself out there, too. When people know and love you and your work, they will introduce you to their network and recommend your products. It’s been my most rewarding strategy so far.

Thanks for sharing y our wisdom.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:51:52 +0000

In reply to Randi Minetor.

Thanks, Randi. You’re doing well enough on your own! Even so, most of your books are niche enough that a publicist might cost less than the fees I quoted because your audience is so targeted.

That aside, the only publicists who should be contacting you are those that specialize in your types of books (and you DO have a type!). I suspect that the ones you hear from don’t fit that description. And the best and the brightest don’t need to look for prospects on LinkedIn, right? They get a lot of referral business from satisfied publishers and authors.

Those phone calls? Total scammers. Despicable. I think I’ll need to write a post about how to spot the scammers soon because that’s a very big problem.

Thanks for weighing in!

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:45:00 +0000

In reply to Maggie Smith.

I love this feedback from one who has been there/done that, Maggie. Thank you! You clearly saw this as a career investment, and it’s one you could afford to make. Plus, you connected with a good publicist. I’m glad to hear it!

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:43:44 +0000

In reply to Barry Knister. Barry, I'm curious about why you presume advertising is the only option. There are so many other ways to spend promotion dollars. Sandy

By: Randi Minetor

Randi Minetor — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:34:05 +0000

I really appreciate you spelling out whether or not authors should spend money on a publicist. I get emails and LinkedIn messages from publicists every time one of my books is released, and the price ranges they quote are always well beyond what I could expect to make back in a timely manner. Others call and tell me that my book has been “selected” for their “program,” a clear scam of some sort—and then to read of the terrible experience your friend had (how heartbreaking!). It’s good to read once again that I am not in the subset of authors who can afford this, so I am not tempted to try it. Thank you!

By: Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:15:31 +0000

I hired a publicist for my debut and was pleased with the results. I knew going in that a first book in the women’s fiction genre and published through a small press would need help getting noticed. I also did it for the “ego boost” that appearing in Writer’s Digest, Crime Reads, Marie Claire, Pop Sugar, and top podcasts gave me. I strongly believe in the adage “no one will buy a book they don’t know about” – As you correctly point out, the ROI for PR can’t be easily measured – awareness will not sell your book (the work itself has to do that) but it can make people aware of your book. Be clear on your goals and expect to be an equal partner with your publicist for the best experience.

By: Barry Knister

Barry Knister — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:03:37 +0000

Thanks for your helpful, real-world take on Publicists. They are obviously out of the reach of most writers, especially indie fiction writers like myself. So my question is this: assuming the writer has more than a few dollars to spend on book promotion (in other words, on advertising), what approach makes the most sense?

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:51:41 +0000

In reply to Sora Vernikoff.

Thanks, Sora! Regarding honesty…a good, reputable publicist approaches the “should I work with this author?” decision the same way a good literary agent does. They ask themselves, “Can I deliver results?” They know that getting paid for a lot of work that yields little isn’t good for their reputation. Plus, they truly want their author clients to succeed!

You’ve got a big advantage here for your next book — you know how to do it! I hope your hard work pays off. Good luck!

Sandy

By: Sora Vernikoff

Sora Vernikoff — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:42:05 +0000

Hi Sandra, This was an excellent article and so well written. I also liked the threaded ring of honesty in the whole thing. You’re right on point. This gives me the idea to go to non-fiction chat rooms and/or non-fiction physical books and see what I can find. I did it all myself for my first book and know the work. I’m not particularly enthusiastic about putting myself through it again but I’ll see. Great! article.