Be Smart & Creative with Book Publicity

Covid-19, the illness created by the Coronavirus is dominating the news cycle and people’s minds these days, and with good reason. We are in the midst of a pandemic and we don’t yet know how this is going to be resolved.

There is little need for me to chime in on the importance of doing what the CDC says to do, e.g., wash your hands, don’t touch your face, stay home, etc., etc., but it may be helpful for me to speak to this within the context of book publicity.

I have a lot of clients who are speakers and, as you can imagine, many events and speaking engagements are being cancelled right now. Rather than freaking out, which one could do, now is a good time to take action in other ways. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities:

Add to the story

If you have the expertise and a book on health that can tie into the current news story, then you can be a highly sought after expert guest. Shows still need to have guests, columns still need to be written, blogs still need guest blog posts, and many outlets are looking for content. Can you be a part of this? If so, now is the time.

Reassess

If you’re a speaker, it may be time to reevaluate how you’re going about getting gigs. How can you do what you do online? There are plenty of ways to get paid through online training, webinars, speaking, etc., and if you’re really creative, figure out a way that you can do exactly that. One of the best first steps is to begin talking to those in your networks.

You’re an author so write

Begin writing your next book.

Marketing

Figure out the email marketing strategy that you’ve been putting off.

Opt In

Consider what your opt-in gift is going to be.

Consult with others, virtually

Who says if you self quarantine that you can’t be social? For example, a friend of mine threw the first, international, virtual cocktail party and I’m looking forward to attending it this week. We have the technology, the tools, and now the time to reach out and connect in this way. It’s a simple shift in mindset and a way to stay connected and social.

Get creative

Not that you would do this, but for some it’s a good idea to stop worrying about things we can’t control, e.g., the stock market, and take that energy and direct it towards something you can do. How can you take your work online? Who is your audience? Where can you find them? This may be the time to figure out what that offer is that you’re going to make at the end of webinars, podcasts, and other presentations. The truth is, I know many people who sell far more books and make a lot more money when they put together an online strategy that works for them. You can do it too. How can you take what you do, this situation, and make it work for you and your family? Extra bonus points if it helps others as well.

The Law of Reciprocity

What can you offer others in your network? How can you inspire them and help them thrive during this difficult time? The Law of Reciprocity works. If you want others to help you, you need to find ways to help them…first.

Yes, there is a world health pandemic. Yes, we must pay attention. Yes, we must do all we can to protect ourselves and those we love. And, yes, we are in the unknown. It isn’t the first time and, unfortunately, it won’t be the last. Life is full of uncertainty and at the same time life will go on.

Most importantly, stay calm, monitor what you read, look for legitimate news stories for updates, and ignore the conspiracy theories that are being posted on social media.

We will get through this. Day by day, week by week, month by month. Take care of yourself.

To your success!

Joanne

P.S. Oh, and by the way. We all need some escapism from time to time and your novel might be just the ticket. Many will have some time to read now, so that’s a little good news. Movies can help too. Here is a scene from one of my favorite movies when I want to forget about reality for a little while.

#Lawofreciprocity

#Covid-19

#Coronavirus

#Bookpublicty

#Bookmarketing

 

Scroll to Top