Authors and Writers are an extraordinary breed…

We work feverishly at the craft of writing and when we chose to publish our works, unless you make the “Big Time” it is difficult to work our way into “Main Stream Media.” Of course, we want our books to be found by readers all over the world who may enjoy our “style” of writing, be it fiction, a memoir, or mystery suspense reads. That is where an amazing PR Firm can help. And luckily I have a friend in the BIZZ.

Marsha Friedman ~ CEO of News & Experts PR Firm knows not all authors can afford a public relations company. So she is kind enough to share many tips and advice with us from her sites and why I enjoy having her as a guest frequently here on my book promotions blog. She has been doing what she does for over 28 years now, and is passionate and caring about what she does and about helping authors gain the spotlight. So here is a new Guest Article she has shared in hopes of you gaining some knowledge on how to make you and your books shine through media!

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MSI Public Relations ~ Marsha Friedman

From the beginning, Marsha set out to make her company different. Today, Marsha is considered a national pioneer in pay for performance PR, a model other firms have since tried to replicate…

Author of ‘Celebritize Yourself’ ~ Now on

Guest Article ~ Ready For The Media?

Here’s a question you might have asked yourself as you decide whether to take the plunge and embark on a PR campaign: How do I know if I qualify for the media spotlight?

If you aren’t someone the media is already beating down the doors to interview, you can get them to look your way if you have the right qualities and characteristics that will give them the assurance that you’re someone worth their time.

But just what are those qualities and characteristics? Let me share a few that I think make someone the ideal candidate to have a successful publicity campaign:

• A book. One of the best ways to build your authority is to write a book. This can give you a leg up on others in your field because not only can you talk about the same things as your competitors, but you literally wrote the book on the subject! Some people try to beg off this one, saying they struggle to write a short essay, so an entire book is out of the question. Relax. That’s where topnotch ghostwriters come into the picture and can do the job for you. Do you absolutely need a book to have a successful PR campaign? No, but it immediately communicates your authority which helps immeasurably with gaining entry to the media.
• Credentials. When we choose to take on a client, what we look for is that your credentials are in line with your message. The media must be able to trust that you know your subject and credentials are the primary qualifiers they use. They will be skeptical of anyone who strays too far outside their area of expertise. For example, a medical doctor who wants to talk about heart disease is a good fit. A medical doctor who had success with his own investments, and writes an investment book is not such a good fit. Why would the media interview the doctor when they could find a highly credentialed financial professional?
• Experience and knowledge. When you’ve personally undergone, encountered or lived through something, then yours is a voice the media is more likely to listen to. For example, if a teacher who spent 25 years in the classroom says he has ideas about how to improve student learning, that will carry more weight than if it comes from someone who hasn’t stepped inside a classroom since their high school graduation three decades ago. Your experience can give you anecdotal stories to share with the media, and your knowledge helps put that experience in perspective for the media.
• Passion. We always try to tap into a client’s passion because we know that if we set up an interview with the media it is more likely to go well if our client is talking from where their heart is. While we can present you to the media as an authority, once the interview begins it’s your passion that will engage them and their audience.

So do you think you have what it takes? Do you have the credentials, experience, knowledge, and passion – and perhaps also a book? That makes you the ideal person to launch a great publicity campaign.

Remember, you don’t have to be a household name to get started. But with dedication, tenacity, persistence, and commitment to this business-growth journey, you might become one before it’s over.

Ideally yours,

Marsha

P.S. If you’d like professional help getting coverage in the press, and being interviewed on radio and TV, give us a call. We’ve been providing this service to clients for 27 years. We also offer a comprehensive social media marketing program for select clients, where we do it all for you. If you’re interested in our help, please call us at 727-443-7115 Ext. 231. We’d love to hear from you!