One way authors can make themselves newsworthy is to be able to tie into events on the calendar. So let’s take a look at a few big ones in April that you might be able to tie to your book and subject matter. Some of the most notable include:
- Earth Day (April 22nd): A day dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and conservation efforts worldwide. One of the best ways to celebrate, IMHO, is to plant a tree or two or three! You can tie into Earth Day anytime during April, not just on the 22nd.
- Autism Awareness Month: April is recognized to raise awareness about autism, a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. If you have a book on this topic, you offer a chance for others to learn about autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- National Poetry Month (US and Canada): Celebrated in the United States and Canada, this month is dedicated to appreciating and spreading poetry. Not everyone loves it, but those who do are devoted fans. Find the outlets dedicated to poetry and see if you can provide some material or do an interview.
- Financial Literacy Month (US): In the United States, April is used to promote financial literacy, aiming to teach individuals how to manage their finances effectively. My guess is tax time is one reason this month was selected for helping with financial literacy. If you have a book on this subject, see if you can come up with a unique article or show idea that you can share with an audience.
Just a reminder that the calendar is a great way to make your book newsworthy. If you are an expert and have a book in any of these genres, you can pitch yourself in the media and will likely get some coverage since you have a timely hook.
An interesting little tidbit: Did you know that in the United States, the name Aрrіl іѕ thе 453rd mоѕt соmmоn nаmе? The United Kingdom ranks the name slightly higher at 278th most common name.
In other news, last week, I shared a number of strategies you can use to increase your visibility. You can read about it here, and I have come up with a few more that I thought I would include here.
6 Additional Strategies You Can Use to Increase Your Media Exposure
- Leverage Social Media: Use social media platforms to share your content, engage with your audience, and connect with influencers and media personnel. Regularly posting valuable and shareable content can attract media attention. This works for me a great deal, so give it a try.
- Host or Participate in Events: Organizing webinars, workshops, or participating in panels and conferences can increase your visibility. These events provide an opportunity to showcase your expertise and connect with other professionals and media. The larger events often have a media room, especially for the media, and while you won’t be able to enter without a pass, they will usually have some sort of special badge on so that you can spot them out on the floor or during an event.
- Utilize SEO and Content Marketing: Optimize your online content for search engines to increase your visibility. Producing high-quality, relevant content can attract media attention and establish you as an authority in your field. They are always looking for guests. Make yourself easy to find.
- Engage with Industry Influencers: Building relationships with influencers in your industry can lead to collaborations that expand your reach and media exposure. Offering to provide valuable content or insights for their platforms can be mutually beneficial. But remember, it is all about relationships. Try to build some sort of connection with them and definitely pay attention to what they are doing.
- Offer Expert Commentary: Position yourself as an expert in your field and offer to provide commentary on current trends, news, or events. Journalists and media outlets often look for knowledgeable individuals to provide insights. Again, make yourself available and respond to any queries.
- Contribute to Publications: Writing articles or opinion pieces for relevant publications can increase your exposure and credibility. This can also lead to further opportunities for interviews or features in media outlets. Media begets media. There is no question about this.
Bottom line
None of this is difficult and much of it is very easy. You just need to zero in on who you should get to know, and then after you’ve really studied what they’re up to, make that initial contact. It can be just that easy, but are you willing to do what it takes? That is the question.
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. Are you willing to do whatever it takes?
P.P.S. Oh, and I just got word that I’ll be the closing speaker at this year’s Nonfiction Authors Association Conference. I’ll have all the details soon!
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