Public Relations: Top 7 Strategies to Avoid Being a PR Numbskull

In THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T you will find more on each no-no, accompanied by a recommendation for how to correct each faux pas. When you are done, you’ll be able to identify publicity curbs you might trip over and have new publicity tools to maneuver through the book marketing maze.

1. Don’t assume your publisher will publicize for you.
   
   
2. Don’t publicize your book; instead “brand” yourself.
   
   
3. Don’t ask an editor, producer or host for “publicity.” They are not in business to do favors for you.
   
   
4. Don’t send a publicity or a news release. It’s a “media release.”
   
   
5. Don’t send material to media professionals who have been dead for over a year or were fired for showing preferential treatment to friends.
   
   
6. Don’t avoid all controversy. It may be your prescription for getting noticed.
   
   
7. Don’t believe everything about publicizing books (or writing them!) that you read on the Web. Consider the source. Check credentials.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the award-winning author of This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered. She is also the author of USA Book News Award-winner, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T. This tip sheet is one of many she uses to share her publicity secrets with fellow authors. Learn more about her at http://carolynhowardjohnson.com. FRUGAL is available at http://ebookad.com and Amazon.com.