If you’re doing your own book publicity, or you’re booking authors as a publicist, chances are your inbox is filling up with loud, dramatic promises from AI marketing tools claiming to do it all. Doing this work for nearly three decades has taught me a lot about the cycles that come and go…and let me tell you…FOMO is alive and well.
One recent email practically shouted from the page…
“Elite agencies are secretly replacing entire marketing teams with GPTs!”
“Forbes just leaked the secret!”
“Clicks pour in overnight!”
Sound familiar?
Let’s take a breath.
Now, I admit, when I first read this I had the ever-so-brief second where I thought, Hmmm…but then quickly realized, “Yeah, right.” (Cue eye roll.)
Yes, AI tools like GPT can help. They’re great for brainstorming, generating ideas, even writing titles. But no. They’re not replacing the real work, and if you’re trying to do that with these tools, you’re in for some big wake up calls. The real work is building relationships, strategy, real writing in your voice, the finesse, and the human touch that actually gets authors booked.
You still need a smart pitch. You still need to research the right media outlets. You still need to follow up at the right time, with the right message, to the right person.
AI can support you. But it can’t replace you. I don’t care what all these ads or social media posts say. There still is no “quick fix”. There is no losing 30 pounds in 10 days (not even with Ozempic). Why are we always looking for the easy way out? Maybe that is the real question.
Bottom line
So the next time you see a subject line promising the sun, the moon, and effortless publicity? Smile, and hit delete. The fundamentals are fundamental for a reason, so return to what works. Use the tools. Don’t be used by them.
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. Time to be bulletproof to spammers, scammers, and FOMO encouragers.
P.P.S. Join me on Tuesday, August 12, at 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT for a free webinar through the Nonfiction Authors Association: Five Mistakes Authors Make (and What to Do Instead). Whether you’re just now writing your book, or you’re a seasoned author pro, you’ll walk away with some gems. I’m sure of it!
#MediaDarling
#AITools
#BookMarketing
#BookPublicity
#AuthorMarketing
If you’d like to receive juicy publicity secrets directly on a regular basis, join the Savvy Sunday Community at the bottom of this page.