If you’ve done any sort of local media marketing yourself, you know it is often easier said than done. Success typically comes down to perseverance. But success also depends upon contacting the right people at the right time.
Every city has its share of radio stations, and each of those radio stations have on-air personalities for designated blocks of time. Some radio programs are geared exclusively to music. Others, exclusively to news. And still others exclusively to a mash-up of music, entertainment, and listener engagement. Media marketing involves identifying the appropriate people to contact and making those in-roads.
Since you’re a local author in their area, they’re exponentially more likely to be interested than if you send an unsolicited pitch to a national or global program.
Other than radio, every major city also has its fair share of local newscasts and entertainment programs on television. These program producers are constantly on the prowl for unique, original programming featuring someone, or something, of local interest. In much the same manner you located and pitched the radio stations, you’ll identify and pitch the television producers, too.
Do you want more than radio and television exposure? How about city-wide newspapers and/or community leaflets or fliers. Almost all commercial areas from the suburbs to the major cities harbor newsletters, newspapers, coupon periodicals, and the like. And what do you think the chances are that your local community newspaper will write an article about a local author with a published book? We’re betting pretty good! In fact, your local community newspapers should also be one of your very first steps on the road to marketing, but the success rate is so high.
If you’re thinking this sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. But the results can make it worthwhile if you have the patience to do it right. And nowadays, much (if not all of this) can be done remotely via email, chat, and the telephone, making it an effective and safe method of marketing your book, even during COVID-19.
Want even more good news? Outskirts Press offers a Media Marketing Blitz option that does all this for you, and more. Throughout August our authors can receive an instant 10% savings with promo code: mediamarket