2006 May

Why you should put your book on Google Book Search

5/24/2006 By Joan Leave a Comment

Authors and publishers have gotten their underwear all tied up in knots over Google Book Search, which lets people do a search for a particular topic, then scan the full text of books that are related to it.

When Google finds a book whose content contains a match for the search terms, it links the book to your search results.

Book marketing genius John Kremer offers a convincing 2-minute video in which a small publisher tells the story of huge increases in book sales thanks to Google Book Search.

To see the video, scroll about three-fourths of the way down this page and look for the headline “Google Book Search: It helps sell books!”

Filed Under: Authors & Publishers, Publicity on the Internet

Technorati/Associated Press service a great deal for bloggers, newspaper readers

5/24/2006 By Joan 1 Comment

Many traditional newspaper readers who don’t know anything about blogs will be exposed to them, and bloggers who comment on breaking news stories can now get more exposure as a result of the joint venture between Technorati and the Associated Press.

An agreement by both companies will provide up-to-the-minute links that help readers navigate between AP news coverage and recent blogs about stories on AP’s Hosted Custom News service for websites.

When readers visit one of more than 400 AP member websites for newspapers that uses AP Hosted Custom News, they will see a module featuring the “Top Five Most Blogged About” AP articles. This module is dynamically powered by Technorati and within it, the reader will see links to a Technorati page that guides them to recent blog posts about that specific AP article.

Also, when readers click on an AP article, Technorati will deliver “Who’s Blogging About That Article,” a listing of blog names with the date and time recent posts were made. The new functionality will be available to the more than 440 AP member websites in the United States that take AP’s Hosted Custom News.

It’s great news for the blogging community and a terrific service for newspaper readers.

Filed Under: Newspaper Publicity, Publicity on the Internet

Christian recording artist needs publicity tips

5/23/2006 By Joan 3 Comments

Jilleen of Santa Ana, California writes:

“I am a Christian recording artist and speaker from Santa Ana, California. I recently released a new CD project called “The Hymns Experience.” It’s an interactive modern-day musical journey into the history of America’s all-time favorite hymns. To listen to a few songs from the album, please visit http://www.jilleen.com/music.html

“What would you recommend that I do to help get publicity for the album in magazines, newspapers and and on websites?”

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Publicity for Niche Markets

Cosmetic surgery pitches don’t need a tie-in to celebrities

5/22/2006 By Joan Leave a Comment

Pitching a story about cosmetic surgery?

If so, you no longer need to tie it to a celebrity, says the may 15 issue of PR Week. Coverage on all types of procedures, including nose jobs, skin peels, tummy tucks and breast augmentation has become mainstream.

The media are also devoting more coverage to things like hair transplants and forehead lifts for men. PR Week offers these tips for pitching:

Offer real-world patients for reporters.
Don’t pitch only the health, fitness and medical beats. Consider beauty, fashion and general lifestyle reporters.
You must be willing to discuss the price of whatever types of cosmetic surgery you’re pitching.

The Publicity Hound thinks it’s also helpful to offer “before” and “after” photos whenever possible.

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Magazine Publicity, Photos & Graphics, Pitching the Media

Trade press editors know what they want, so follow these 10 tips

5/21/2006 By Joan Leave a Comment

If you’re pitching the trade press, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is telling an editor that you just bought an ad.

Most reputable trade press editors don’t care, and like their brothers and sisters at consumer magazines and newspapers, they will be insulted that you mentioned it.

That’s one of 10 tips offered by Bob Milroy, the president of Alexander Marketing Services, at The Navigator blog.

Filed Under: Magazine Publicity, Pitching the Media