Contacting Local Media
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A quick and easy strategy for contacing local media is to have a copy of your press release printed and ready to fax, mail, or email, as you troll the Internet, as you have ideas, and as you consider people to contact.

Here is a list of suggestions for media contacts along with links that will help you locate media contacts in your area:

Radio Stations - http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/page?page=formats is a link for you to check out if you want to pitch yourself to radio stations.

TV media - here are the major and small TV markets listed: http://www.stationindex.com/tv/

Newspapers - here is a list for locating regional newspapers: http://www.usnpl.com/

Magazines (for a list of magazines, scroll down to magazines on the page, and then you can click the link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magazine However, it is probably very easy for you to just do a Google search, on your genre/keyword + the word magazine, or + the word Journal.. then Google can find the magazines, journals, etc. that cover your genre.


Once you have a contact, just get them your press release with a short cover letter, or note, about what your "ask" is. For example, do you want to offer to be interviewed or ask them to write a story?

It is suggested that you never "blast" the media with your information as it is a waste of time. If your book is Christian, then search for Christian media and focus on those contacts.

TIP From Rick Frishman

My authors come to me all the time and say- " I want to be in the New York Times" I want to be in the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, People, Business Week, " You get the idea. And I ask them - ok fine- where have you been written up before? And they usually say - in my college newspaper--- 20 years ago!

You have to start small- in your hometown newspaper. Go to the end of your driveway and pick up the paper that is thrown there every week. The one with the High School scores in it. Go to the inside front page and see who the editor is- That is who you call first. I live in Jericho New Yorkand I called my Jericho News ( the local paper) and told them I was an author and had something to teach their readers. I then sent the editor my book, a press kit and a photo ( a recent one) and waited a few days. The following week she called me back and said she wanted to interview me on the phone. We did the interview and the following Friday a story came out on me and my book. FRONT PAGE- OVER THE FOLD. This was in everyone's drive way in town- about 20,000 people got it. I am walking my dog and people are stopping me - because now - what does that make me - A CELEBRITY ... at least in Jericho.

After that - I sent the story to Newsday- and they did a story (700,000 circ) and then The New York Times did one.... and then the Wall Street Journal. Well not right away it took time and a lot of work- and yes some luck too. But it all started with my local newspaper.

Go forth and reach out to your local editor- and become a star in your home town!

Click here to view newspaper clippings and see what an Eloquent Books author did to create a unique marketing angle to sell more books.

Here is an email that we recently sent to one of our authors:

The best way to attract the attention of talk show hosts is to send them a copy of your press release, a print out of your author page and a nice cover letter explaining why listeners are going to be interested. In small towns, usually just the fact that a local author has released a book is interesting enough that they will usually be very happy to have you as a guest for even a portion of their show. Include any book review comments you've received, as well. (If you haven't already checked out our book reviews page, please take the time to do so: http://www.strategicbookmarketing.com/services-bookreviews.html . )

It is best to keep your cover letter brief and to just a polite introduction. They will get your information from the press release and station managers and talk show producers generally read the first paragraph and skim the rest.

The cover letter should include:

- who you are & one line bio: (eg: I am a local author with a newly released book that has already sold 91 copies in its first month...)
- what you will speak about on the air (the book, or your life as a writer, or both)
- whether you are willing to answer questions from callers
- MOST IMPORTANTLY ...that you have 2 or 5 books to give away as gifts/prizes to various callers. (This makes the station look good as well for giving out free stuff, even though it is coming from you.) Don't be surprised if they ask you back!
- It helps to mention that you are an avid listener of their program and a fan. A little compliment can go a long way with a radio host.

Don't Forget Your Local Internet Sites

As well, here is a link to the Bath, Maine website and under the events section, you can inform them of any upcoming signings you have and they will list it on their site : http://www.visitbath.com. Once you find out the day you will be guesting on the talk show, you can also send them this information and they may (or may not) put it on their site. Even if they don't you will be guesting on a show with a built in audience.

Click here to visit the Strategic Book Group "Authors In the News" website for more ideas.

For more information, please email us.

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