One of the questions authors frequently ask me is, “Do I have to travel to do book publicity?” The answer is no.
As a matter of fact, one of our longstanding clients is shy when talking on the phone. Another client doesn’t like to travel. In each case, we developed a robust campaign that accommodated the author’s communication preferences.
We’re a New York book publicity firm, with a satellite office in Florida as well, but our authors are from all over the country. We have authors from all the major media marketplaces, such as New York, LA, DC, Dallas, and Chicago, and many who live in more remote areas. However, you absolutely don’t have to live in one of these big cities to have a successful book PR campaign.
How Small Town Authors Can Successfully Promote their Book
Book authors can do radio interviews in their pajamas.
To conduct a radio interview, all you need is a good phone line. That’s been true for years.
Media people who interview book writers prefer phone calls and email.
The interactions book authors have with media people are always either over the phone or by email. Face-to-face interviews with recorders are a relic from the past.
Bylined articles and guest blogs placed by book publicists are sent electronically.
A hardworking book publicist can help you spread your message and become well known by strategically placing bylined articles, expert tips pieces, and blogs on the web. In our case, we have longstanding relationships with lots of different media contacts, who are happy to receive and publish well-written pieces by our expert-authors.
Even national TV appearances by writers can happen near home.
A lot of national TV interviews are conducted these days via a local affiliate station. For example, when you see a split screen of several panelists debating on a show such as Fox News, they’re all being patched in from local stations in remote locations.
New media uses satellite and Skype to connect with authors.
A new media outlet such as Huffington Post Live is able to create a forum of experts for their shows by having them use Skype. An author who is invited to participate in such a show merely has to sit in front of his or her own computer.
Authors can coordinate media appearances with their own personal travel.
You may not have to travel for book PR, but you can do book PR even when you’re traveling to visit a family member. We ask our clients to keep us apprised of their travel plans. If your Aunt Bessie lives in Maryland, we could book some local TV spots while you’re in the area. Regional stations prefer live guests when they can get them—and doing live TV is good practice for authors.
If you happen to be a New York author, or from the New York metropolitan area, you’re in luck! Most TV happens in New York, so you won’t have to travel far to do an in-studio interview. On the other hand, just about every big city has a major public radio station and a popular TV news station, and those are both great venues.
A Creative Book Marketing Plan Can Solve Problems that Rural Authors Face
So, no, you don’t have to travel to get great results from a book publicist’s efforts. For every author both new and established, a coordinated effort with a skilled and creative book publicist is the best tip for book marketing success. We discuss that interaction in more detail in our recent blog post on how both author and publicist can create book promotion strategy and synergy.
Give us a call, send an email, or get in touch via social media – and we’ll get you started.