Can a Name Help Your Book Promotion Efforts? Yes!

By Stacey J. Miller, Book Publicist

S. J. Miller Communications

bookpromotion@gmail.com

I'm a long-time advocate for self-published authors and independent publishers, because I appreciate the autonomy and empowerment that comes with self-publishing books. But even I have to admit that there are times  when a book publisher’s imprint can vastly increase a book’s promotion potential. 

I just found an example of a name that's really going to create a book promotion sensation. 

Rob Gronkowski, of the New England Patriots, has written a book that will be published by Jeter Publishing. That is about as perfect as book promotion potential can get!

For those who are wondering what’s so special about Jeter Publishing, does the name Derek Jeter ring a bell? Yes. Derek Jeter. He has his own publishing imprint, Jeter Publishing, and it’s owned by Simon and Schuster.

So, yes, as biased as this book publicist is in favor of independent book publishing, I must admit — how could I not? — that, at times, book promotion success can be greatly enhanced by having the right mainstream publishing company (and the perfect imprint of that mainstream publisher) behind the book.

Rob Gronkowski, I think you've written more than a book here. I think you've written yourself a bestselling book (It’s Good to Be the Gronk), and I wish you all the luck in the world with reaching sports fans in Boston and all of New England -- and, surely, far beyond. Derek, I might have a couple of sports-related questions for you (well, hey, I am from Boston!), but I'm so proud that you know how to use your name and your brand. Derek Jeter and Rob Gronkowski. You can find It's Good to Be the Gronk at Amazon, of course!

The Trajectory of Book Promotion

By Stacey J. Miller, Book Publicist
S. J. Miller Communications
bookpromotion@gmail.com


What does book discovery mean to authors and publishers? Everything, obviously. Book discovery is the whole purpose of book publicity and brand building: when authors and their books receive media attention, build their brand, and expand their online footprints, then they can differentiate themselves from competing authors and books (and videos, blogs, and the like), and they can persuade potential readers to purchase their books. Book discovery, then, is tied into book promotion and brand building which, in turn, directly affects book sales.

So what does Trajectory, a Boston-based firm, have to do with book discovery? According to an article in ThoughtCatalog, Trajectory will change everything about book discovery. Through Trajectory, authors and publishers will be able to match their books' content, setting, mood, and more to books that readers have already bought and enjoyed. Think of Trajectory as -- potentially -- the Pandora of books. "If you love Neil Diamond, you might want to listen to Barry Manilow" (which is Pandora's territory) becomes, "If you loved The Giver, you'd probably enjoy The Hunger Games" -- which Trajectory would base on algorithms about all of the elements that make up a book's content rather than on strictly sales information.

Just as authors and publishers currently consider it critical to get their books into the search engines, and to allow their book discovery to happen both organically and through concerted book promotion efforts, they may -- according to ThoughtCatalog -- soon be focusing on book discovery through Trajectory. Trajectory, it seems, is already forming partnerships with the major players in the world of book publishing.

So what will the trajectory of book publicity look like once the DNA of books can be scanned to see whether or not they're a match for books readers have already bought and loved? Authors and publishers: stay tuned to find out!

How to Blow a Book Promotion Opportunity

By Stacey J. Miller, Book Publicist

S. J. Miller Communications

bookpromotion@gmail.com

Would you like to see a great example of how to blow a book promotion opportunity? I give you Joan Rivers who walked out on an interview with CNN's Fredricka Whitfield while promoting her latest book. What was Joan River's new title, again? It seems to have flown clear out of this book publicist's head. Sorry about that, Joan Rivers.

And you know what? If Joan's arrogance and belligerence were a book publicity stunt, then -- because I don't think combative behavior is ever defensible or attactive -- I hope it fails, miserably, in the book sales department.