Friday, March 02, 2012

Novels 'n' Newspapers

Happy Friday! I'm pleased to welcome Stephen Tremp to my blog today, talking about strategies he used to get coverage for his novels in newspapers -- great information!

Take it away, Stephen.

Thanks Talli for hosting me again! You hosted me on my Breakthroug Blog Tour and here we are again. 


Okay, here we go ... Since Borders Books is no longer with us, I had to make some serious changes as I sold a lot of books through them. I took a serious kick in the ol’ knickers with that one. To quote Tom Cruise from Collateral: “Okay, look, here's the deal …. Still breathing? Now we gotta make the best of it, improvise, adapt to the environment, Darwin, #%^$&**# happens, I Ching, whatever man, we gotta roll with it.” 


 So I revisted some of the promo strategies I used in the past and the word “newspapers” jumped out at me. Newspapers? Are they still relevant? Do people still read them? I did a little homework and looked at circulations of newspapers (print and online) in the two areas I’ve lived; Lansing, Michigan and southern California. Turns out, there is still a lot of opportunity in this department. They’re not just for lining my birdcage anymore.



I contacted the good people at the Lansing State Journal and sent them a Press Release. The Hook: Local boy does good. They printed it! Glory hallelujah! So I contacted the Detroit News, a much larger circulation. The decision is still pending. But at least they’re considering it. Stay tuned! 


Next up: The Orange Coast Register and the Los Angeles Times. These are two papers with very large circulations. The OC Register reaches 1.5 million adults every week. Problem: I don’t have any contacts. Steve who??? I can’t just send them a Press Release and expect them to print it. Or can I. 


Fortunately, I’ve been lining up book signings with local Indie bookstores. And they have contacts at these papers. Will the OC Register print a Press Release for me? Maybe. Maybe not. But they will announce the book signing because the Indie bookstores, who have a great working relationship with the paper, have a name for me to contact!


 So I’ll at least get my name in the Events Section. Perhaps an image of my smiling face or book cover. Then I’ll have a second book signing announcement. And a third. Now I’m building a relationship. Then perhaps a Press Release will follow. I’m working it. It’s all about building relationships and that’s what I’m doing. Stay Tuned! 


Finally: don't forget the smaller, local papers. They can be easier to work with and reach a lot of people. And thanks to the Indie bookstores, I now have contact names for local papers that will advertise the book siging events! You can check out the press release from the Lansing State Journal here: SELECT LINKI hope this helps and perhaps stokes the fires of promotion and marketing for you. 



Stephen Tremp: author of the BREAKTHROUGH series, has a B.A. in information systems and an MBA degree in global management. Stephen has a background in information systems, management, and finance and draws from this varied and complex experiential knowledge to write one-of-a-kind thrillers. His novels are enhanced by current events at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and other scientific research facilities around the world. These potential advances have the ability to change the way we perceive our universe and our place in it! You can visit Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs. BREAKTHROUGH and OPENING can be downloaded: Download Breakthrough: Amazon Kindle $1.99 Download Opening: Amazon Kindle for $1.99

Have a great weekend, everyone! Oh, before I forget: Fabulosity Reads is doing a giveaway for Build A Man! Head over for your chance to win

45 comments:

  1. Hi Stephen, hi Talli!

    Stephen - well done for targetting newspapers - getting yourself on the local press is a must - get yourself out there in your hometown - news of local authors done good is always nice to read about! Yay! All the best with your booksigning - and guarantedd publicity in the press too! And yes people still read newspapers - esp the freebie ones during commutes to work!

    Have a lovely weekend Talli and Stephen! Take care
    x

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  2. Thanks interesting, Stephen. Good luck with your endeavour. I was thinking about newspapers here in Cyprus. There are several ex-pat magazines here, and the owner of one extremely popular free English newspaper lives in my village.

    One friend said when I am published, I should send a complimentary copy to the British Embassy. They might share it around and spread the word. I hadn't thought of that, but it might work.

    Talli, maybe the Canadian Embassy in the UK might be a good contact point for you. :D

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  3. Interesting idea, thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend!

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  4. Good advice Stephen - well done you!

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  5. My publisher sent out press releases, but no idea of the results.

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  6. Great idea contacting newspapers, Stephen! I know a lot of people who still get the paper and read it front to back. I don't think it's going anywhere yet!

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  7. Great post, Stephen! Getting the word out through local press is so useful.

    Have a lovely weekend, Talli and Stephen!

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  8. The newspaper seems to be overlooked these virtual days, but what a viable option. Thanks for reminding us and sharing your advice, and best wishes ...

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  9. Great post, Stephen!

    I find local newspapers invaluable with getting the word out. Having an event is always a great way to send out a press release and encourage interest. Follow ups with interviews and Q&As are always a great idea.

    Jai

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  10. Thannks TAlli for hosting me today! And thanks to all your peeps for stopping by and saying hello!

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  11. Hello Stephen! Very entertaining topic. I love hearing about how authors promo themselves. I've never heard of anyone using newspapers but that does seem like a great idea. I'm wishing you all the luck with your books.

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  12. Re: News releases...some days even large newspapers scramble for good news about local folks.

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  13. Good stuff, Stephen! Thanks, Talli, for hosting him today! Wishing you both well with all your publishing endeavors.

    Happy weekend!

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  14. Anytime Stephen talks about marketing, I listen.

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  15. Thanks again all for stopping by. Now I'm off to apparate to run some errands.

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  16. Great ideas for getting the word out in newspapers. Best of luck with Opening! Talli, Thanks for hosting Stephen! Julie

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  17. My "to read" list is growing bigger every day. Can't wait until I have some real time to do some reading; soon, I hope.

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  18. Great information! Getting the word out through newspapers is such a good strategy.

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  19. Hi Talli! New follower from Stephen's blog.

    Great tips Stephen. It's so easy to get caught up with online marketing and forget about the print piece.

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  20. Really good information, thanks Stephen and Talli!

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  21. Great going, Stephen. It's up to us to figure out how to get our names out there.

    Waving to Talli :)

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  22. This is fabulous! Great thinking. I never really thought about the newspapers, but that's a great way to go! Glad you had Stephen over to share these awesome tips. :)

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  23. Happy Weekend! I've always found the local press (and local people generally) to be really supportive of my writing. Great post!

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  24. Hi Talli and Stephen. I never thought of the newspapers in the promotion of my book. I have sold just a few on the Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk but am fast running out of ideas. It didn't help taking a vacation so soon after my book was published.
    Next week I start in earnest.

    Yvonne.

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  25. Yes, publicity is so important.
    Newspapers are good but personal appearances also are often recommended. I don't know about those myself. They will only sell a few books, but I think the idea is to make a word of mouth buzz. ...

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  26. Some great ideas, Stephen. I'm worried about how much our local paper is shrinking but they do a once a week entertainment section and they'll do announcements in for book releases.
    Love those independent bookstores.

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  27. Good ideas! I don't know if I would have thought of newspapers - thanks for the tip :)

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  28. Great post Stephen! There's a free local paper in my area and I hadn't even considered reaching out to them to promote my novel. I will totally contact them when the time comes. Thanks! :) Have a great weekend!

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  29. Great advice! I love reading about things like this. :D

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  30. Hi to both of you!
    That is helpful and interesting information Stephen!
    Hi Talli!

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  31. I think newspapers are probably a neglected market these days, good one for thinking of them.

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  32. That's actually a great idea! : )
    Thanks for sharing Stephen!

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  33. Newspapers are still relevant I think. Our local paper does an article on my dad everytime he publishes a book.

    It works because it informs those we know he has something new out.

    Thanks, Hostess Talli. And great article Stephen.

    Teresa

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  34. I never thought about sending a press release to the local newspapers, that's brilliant! Thanks for the idea.

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  35. Great advice, thanks! I know for the flash fiction contest I'm chairing, online periodicals have been great. Some you can submit a community event on your own (so a book signing, for instance). Others you need approval for. Usually, there is a book or arts section with a contact that can hook you up. I'm hoping this contest is good training for when I have a book out there!

    Good luck to you in spreading the word!

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

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  36. Now allI need is a book to promote. But I still love this info.

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  37. Very useful post for me - you've just given me an idea and I'm off to contact English newspapers in Italy (long story). Thanks Talli and Stephen! Xcat

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  38. Terrific post, Stephen! Thanks for the tips!

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  39. Congratulations to both Talli and Stephen!
    Talli, your "To Build a Man" sounds really good. I signed up and left a comment, let's see if I win a copy ;)
    Cheers!

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  40. Congrats Stephen.

    You sound very enterprising. Good luck with the sales of your new book.

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  41. Great guest post! It would be so cool to pick up a Sunday Detroit News or Free Press and see a write up about you and your books. I could tell everyone that I know that guy! Best wishes with getting the press releases in the papers.

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  42. Thanks Tallied for hosting me! I just got back from our min-cruise and am catching up on the comments and everything.

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  43. Thanks Tallied for hosting me! I just got back from our min-cruise and am catching up on the comments and everything.

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  44. Hi Talli and Steve .. great ideas here - you certainly use those little grey cells to get yourself promoting your book .. sure hope they work -

    Cheers Hilary

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  45. "They’re not just for lining my birdcage anymore." <--- Lol!

    Newspapers. Hmm... I hadn't given them much thought. All my efforts seem to be aimed ONLINE (which does sorta make sense, since my stuff isn't in print form -- yet). But I am actually friends with the editor of a local newspaper, so I should probably take advantage of that!

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Coffee and wine for all!