How to Shout Out When Authors and Books Have News

As summer unfolds, many of my Book Shepherd authors who entered their books in award competitions this year have gotten news and have been honored this season—some are Finalists; some are Winners; some get a Gold, Silver or Bronze; and some are Finalists in the IndieFab Awards for the Book of the Year that will be announced at the American Library Association’s annual meeting this month. 

HUGE Congratulations to:

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Kim Curtis Money Secrets

 

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Richard RiemanThe Author’s Guide to AudioBook Creation

 

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Pat Morgan The Concrete Killing Fields

 

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Jo Kairys I Want Cake!

 

 

 

 

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Steve Snyder Shot Down-the True Story of Captain Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth (over 15 book awards and counting!)

 

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Pamela Byrson Weaver Live with Autism Day by Day

 

 

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Disa Van Orman  My Loved One Shines On

 

 

 

What are they going to do with their kudos?

If you are a winner of any book award, here’s what you need to do … get their Quacker in gear. Tell the world … book buyers … your friends … your family … let retail outlets know that you’ve got national recognition … let the local media know … quack, quack, quack. Here’s a Baker’s Dozen of ideas they should be doing … and you as well if you have any NEWS that could be worth a shout out!:

1          Write a media/press release—include a book cover on it as well as a website that reporters and producers can get more info. Make sure you have an email, day and cell phones on it. Send it to every contact you can things of. Include:

  • Any associations you are a member of.
  • The local media … if there is anything in the news going on that connects in any way with your title or expertise—pick up the phone and make an immediate pitch.
  • The national media—print, TV, radio.
  • Key Internet resources, such as the HuffPo and Slate—especially if you can tie it into anything that is remotely related to your topic.
  • Groups that are connected with your topic.

2          Social media is your pal—get it up on your Facebook pages, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+ and anything else you are connected with. Not be shy—ask your friends to tell their friends … and either link the notices to your website so that they can see the book is available for sale or the Amazon link.

3          Add it to every email that goes out. If your email Signature doesn’t have your book cover in it, add it and make sure you say include award-winning in description.

4          Write a Blog on it … make sure you now include that you are an award-winning author.

5          Create a celebratory photo op. If you have anything framed or attended a ceremony, include that as a photo. Otherwise you and your book are a lovely photo op duo. Even a selfie will do!

         Post the news on your Amazon book page. And if your friends haven’t given you a review, this is a great time to pick up the phone and share your news … and ask them if they would—then, follow up with an email that includes the link to your book’s Amazon page.  Make it easy for them!

7          Post the news on your Author Central page on Amazon. And make sure you add a photo of you with your award.

8          Consider do a special award celebration and drop the price of your book on Amazon to its “deal” range for a day or two. Make sure your say that it’s a celebration of its national award. And let EVERYONE in your social media connections know. Even if they already have the book—for a couple of bucks, they just may pick up another or the eBook that they don’t already have to support you.

9          Send your media release to a PR service for national distribution—this is part of your marketing dollars. There’s a variety of media/press release sites—check out Google for a list.

10        Immediately add to your website … it should shout the news. If you haven’t created a media tab on it yet, this is the time. If you have already received book reviews, this is a good spot to add them so others can read them as well. Don’t forget to post book reviews on your Amazon page as well if the book reviewer hasn’t.

11        Use it as a “Pitch tool” for anything you do. If you are a speaker, or a desire to be, meeting planners like “award-winning”—use it … as when you talk with them, “I’m thrilled that my book was recently honored with the Gold Medal in _______ with the _______ book awards.”

12        Add “Award-Winning Author” to your book cover for next printing and for future books. Either or your name or under … but it’s not part of your “credentials”.

13        Keep on marketing … you as the expert … and your book.                      

Quack, Quack, Quack

If you don’t, you will turn into a little peep … and those get eaten!

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Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #35 was published this summer: How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-BoosGet your copy.

Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2016, the dates are June 23-25th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .

Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

 

header-logo1.pngAuthor U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.

 If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.