The word “network” or “networking” brings up all kinds of thoughts and ideas for different people. During pre-pandemic days, physically going to networking events could be very fruitful, or they could be quite painful depending on how the individuals choose to interact. (We’ve all seen the person with a stack on business cards going from one person to the next handing them out as furiously as possible.)
Today, we have many online networks, via social media and various groups we’re involved in, which can prove to be enormously helpful if we’ll only ask, or if we say “yes” to opportunities that come our way.
For example, not long ago the Nonfiction Authors Association invited me to speak at this year’s conference in May. Woohoo! Stephanie Chandler is the brains behind the group and she is a fabulous associate and friend who is always up to something interesting. As we gear up for that event, she is interviewing me on their podcast on April 6th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time/10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Here is the link with the details. I hope you will join us. It’s free for anyone joining live.
The topic of the conversation is Quick and Easy Ways to get Media Attention, which is one of my all-time favorite subjects. I could talk about this forever, and Stephanie and I are going to share all kinds of pertinent and timely information on Wednesday.
For now, it got me thinking about what else I can share with you throughout the month of April. Many possibilities fall under that headline. After all, we’re all looking for more media attention and coverage for our books, right?
Here’s a strategy that can reward you in more ways than you can even imagine. It’s easy to forget during our day-to-day activities how robust and helpful our own networks can be. How can you tap into the magic that is just sitting there within your networks?
Here are some tips:
You have to ask
This seems obvious, but are you doing it? You have to ask for help. Not in a salesy way, but in a real, authentic, helpful way.
Discover what your connections are up to
Maybe you aren’t up to date on what your connections are doing. Go through your networks and see what is new with your contacts. New podcasts are coming into existence each and every day. New magazines are being launched. New TV shows. New awards programs. The list truly is endless, so what can you take advantage of? When media outlets are new, that is when they are really on the hunt for fabulous guests. This can be a great and fairly easy time to get booked with them. They need you.
Go the extra mile
Contacts who already have a successful media outlet can be a little more challenging. The question goes from, “How can I get in front of their audience” to, “How can I help them?” You must build some social capital before asking for help. There are some exceptions to this. Some of your raving fans will want to help you whether you’ve kept in touch with them personally or not. For others, you need to be a little more strategic and put some thought into this. What is something you can do for them that puts you on their radar screen and makes them feel like helping you back?
I’m not suggesting that this be really obvious and transactional and calculated, but there is something called the Law of Reciprocity. When you give to others, they just naturally want to give back. So, how can you give to them first before you make a request of them?
Case in point. What NOT to do. A publicist friend of mine had a sticky situation come up not too long ago. She had a very high level client who was well-known and getting a lot of media attention. He was in great demand. Someone she had met at a conference several years before had emailed her out of the blue asking if she would have this client write an endorsement for her book, and she had attached the entire manuscript. Well, the “ask” was just too big for the relationship to support. They simply didn’t have the kind of relationship that would warrant the publicist to spend her own social capital with this very well-known leadership expert, and she just couldn’t do it.
She shared this story with me and said she would happily do this for a friend, or an associate who she had a special relationship with, but not for someone she barely knew. On the one hand, it would seem smart for the person she barely knew to be bold and ask for what she wanted, but was it really smart? Seems smarter to build the relationship before you make that kind of an “ask”. You have to make that judgment call with your own contacts. Do you have to warm them up first before you make a request? Then do it.
Like their posts
Respond to articles or posts they’ve written and maybe add a new interesting perspective for them and their followers to think about. It doesn’t take much time and it can really pay off for you later.
Take a chance
Put it out there that you’re looking to share important information with the world, and share what it is. You may be pleasantly surprised who comes back with a great big YES!
Bottom Line
Sometimes the simplest strategies are the best. Look in your own backyard first for help and support from others. We are all the media now, so put it out there. Good luck with your book!
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. As I mentioned, the Nonfiction Authors Association has asked me to do a podcast with them. Stephanie Chandler will be interviewing me on more quick and easy ways to get media coverage this Tuesday, April 6, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time/12:00 p.m. Central Time/11:00 a.m. Mountain Time and Pacific Time/10:00 a.m. It’s super easy to join us. All the details are here. Click right here for information on how to attend. Hope to see you there!
P.P.S. Can I get a connection?
#quickmediacoverage
#easywaystogetmediacoverage
#NFAA
#Bookpublicity
#Bookmarketing
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