Secrets of a Book Marketing Wizard Part IV: Authors Need a Media Strategy

The fourth installment in a series dedicated to revealing the secrets of legendary book promotion genius Irwin Zucker.

(PRWEB) October 3, 2005 -- One thing I learned from Irwin Zucker, who helped me fill many of my talk shows with highly articulate authors, was that a book publicist can make or break your program. When I used Irwin's business, Promotions In Motion, I never lacked content. Later on, when I worked with Irwin in promoting the autobiography of Paul Winchell, Winch, which I helped edit, I began to see the problems of book promotion from the author's point of view. I asked Zucker to expound on his philosophy of marketing an author.

He looked at me and said. "Actually, it's the author who has to grasp the idea of a media plan, no matter who comes up with the details. In marketing a book, you've got to have a plan on all levels, notably with the media. Naturally, you also have to work with the bookstores and the managers/event planners, etc. A good author should also have a good following--using the Internet to send out notices to as many people (especially people who know the author) as possible. There's nothing like having a good website that can help propel sales as well. Everything adds up and every step in promotion is important."

With all the current media alternatives, is there such a thing as a balanced strategy for promoting a book?" Irwin smiled. "I am a big booster of radio -- my favorite medium in pushing books because you can get instant results in the stores. And you get more than just a few minutes of time, as on TV, to expand your thoughts."

What about the Internet? That's a reality that every author must face. The Internet is becoming more important every day in the sales of books. There's so much you can do with a good website and communicating with potential buyers. The Internet is getting bigger & bigger every day for the publishing industry.

Marketing a book is challenging and fun, but often seems rather abstract. One way to personalize your experience can be found at www.smallseminars.com. Find out how you can have a one-on-one conversation with someone like Allan Thain, a public relations specialist with a profound knowledge of media and technology, with a wide range of clients, including high level politicians needed to forge their own media plans. Learn how to apply these strategies to market your book. At Small Seminars, you will chat with book marketing experts such as Mark Victor Hanson, whose Chicken Soup series has sold over 90 million copies, by the secluded waters of Lake Shawnigan in a resort and spa whose sole mission is to deepen and enliven your seminar experience.

Irwin Zucker founded Book Publicists of So. Calif. in 1976 and was the president for 18 years. He is now President Emeritus of the organization. The IRWIN Awards (now in its 11th year) were created in his honor. The title, IRWIN, also stands as an acronym for Industry Recognition for Writers In the News. If you have a book that needs promoting and you are ready to work with a master, contact Irwin Zucker at Promotions in Motion at his Hollywood office at 323-461-3921 or email him at irwinzuckerpr@aol.com

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