Contact your local media and cultivate relationships...
A terrific tool to add to your marketing efforts is reaching out to your local media and cultivate an authentic relationship with them. Don't start off your initial contact with an onslaught of information for them to promote your book or writing services. Rather, research your local media, who the personnel are and what they are looking for to round out their programs. Much like when you research publisher submission guidelines get to know their vision and goals.
This type of approach is a win-win for both sides. Getting to know someone and their organization develops an authentic relationship where you both care about helping the other.
A few bullet points to guide you:
- Follow your local media on social media.
- Follow the media personnel on their business accounts.
- Begin the conversation with replying to their posts, tweets, etc. and sharing their posts.
- Your exchange needs to be authentic with thoughtful comments and not just liking their posts.
- Once you feel comfortable submit an article query and thank them for their time.
- Remain open to their timeframe for media whether local or national work quickly and often times you may receive an outreach to be ready for an interview within in a days time.
- Flexibility is key. Be open to all opportunities.
Recently for myself, outreach and connection was made by the Rivertown Magazine through my daughter with her friend, Reed Tighe, that works for the magazine. I was and continue to be elated they were interested in video interviewing me for their online magazine and followed up with an invite to participate in their debut Kid's Corner Read Live on Saturday, May 16th. To say both experiences were amazing is an understatement.
If you are interested you may view both segments at:
Once never knows where connection will be had, so it's important to keep our options open.
I'd enjoy hearing about your outreach to your local media.
Thank you for your time and interest.
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older
Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
That's exactly it, Donna.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my post!
DeleteGreat advice, Donna, thank you. Building relationships is key!
ReplyDeleteDelighted you have enjoyed the tip!
Delete