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What I’m Excited About!

March 27th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

BookCon: This new public event is launching in late May in New York.  Celebs like Martin Short and Amy Poehler are excited to discuss their books.  BookCon will be a part of BookExpo America.

Check your In-Box: If you bought ebooks between April 2010 and May 2012, you will get a credit for each bestseller or other ebooks you purchased on your Amazon account.

Fifty Shades:  Based on those who have seen previews, the Fifty Shades movie is a love story v. a sadomasochistic relationship.  I’m very glad the director is emphasizing the love story.   It is the real reason it was a bestseller!

Happy Thursday!

Controversy as Publicity

March 25th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Yesterday Nick Cannon went to extremes to gain publicity.  He posted a photo of himself in white makeup.  Cannon shared the photo on Instagram to promote an upcoming album called “White People Party Music.”  The makeup is dramatic and Cannon is almost unrecognizable.

Since posting, Cannon has been been accused of being racist.   He even posted a short video explaining he named his Caucasian alter ego, “Connor Smallnut.”

Is this just a huge publicity stunt or is it something to take seriously?

The world of publicity is changing every day.  It’s very difficult to keep any sort of elegance or quality when promoting.  It’s working for Cannon.  We are all talking about him and his album but I wonder what would happen if Drew Carey or Will Farrel came out in blackface?

Thoughts?

Some useful tips to promotion

March 20th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Happy Thursday!  We are starting to warm up here in Minnesota.  I hope your weather is on the upswing as well.

People always ask me how to sell a book.  How does one write a bestseller?

I do my best to bring them down to Earth.   Let me  say this at the beginning:  writing a book is difficult but selling a book is exceptionally difficult!

Here are some of my tips:

1. Do not be promotional.  Be credible, interesting and exciting but everyone can see through promotion.  In other words, sell without selling.

2. Keep information short and sweet.  Have you ever seen a person with a 2-page biography?  One thinks: wow, they think they are important.  It will turn the reader off.  Keep it short and do not tell us too much.

3. Don’t assume everyone has time to talk to you.  Everyone is busy and they will get in touch if they are interested.

4. Be interesting! If you are promoting a book about war, discuss how you made it through.  If you are writing a short story, discuss your writing process.

5. The most important tip is to always put yourself in the shoes of your respondent.  It may be a journalist, speaking coordinator, producer or bookstore owner.  Answer the question:  why should I care?

Happy promoting!

Kevin Trudeau

March 18th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Good morning!!

Here is book-related breaking news.

A Chicago federal judge sentenced TV pitchman Kevin Trudeau to 10 years in prison for bilking consumers with his infomercials.  The judge asserted Trudeau “steadfastly attempted to cheat others for his personal gain.”

Trudeau was a hugely popular author.   I saw his books at Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Club, etc.  His books were about natural cures, weight loss and debt cures.

I guess one always has to be aware and adhere to “Caveat Emptor,” buyer beware!

Innovative book publicity ideas

March 13th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

The book industry is constantly changing and as a result the book publicity industry is changing.  This post is about innovative ideas for book publicity.

Sitting in 2014, the book industry is still searching for its feet.  Barnes & Noble is struggling and Amazon seems to be the dominate seller.  They are not necessarily friendly to authors or publishers.  E-books are becoming more and more prominent and it’s a struggle for new authors.

First, I want to make one thing clear with PR.  There is no magic bullet!  Book PR is hard work and an author and publicist need to work together as a team.

The following are some ideas and also some realistic advice.

1. There is nothing wrong with selling books out of your car and leaving books at coffee shops for others.   Most successful authors did it.  So when asked about your book, say you have some with you if they are interested.

2. Always think like a journalist.  If you want to get on any media outlet, you need a story.  Publicist sit for hours thinking about the best way to pitch something.  Read their work and pitch accordingly.

3. The media are very competitive.  If you think you will get on two TV stations on the same day or even week, think again.  If this is a goal, ask yourself what your story is and how will it be different for each.

4. Make sure you have the best marketing materials.

5. Make sure your book does not look self-published.  Go to the library and bookstore.  Does your book match up? If not, you have some work to do.

For any questions, email me at sara@lienpublicrelations.com.

Oregon Family trapped by Housecat

March 11th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Ok, this is the greatest story.  A housecat in Oregon was so angry and fed up with having his tail pulled, he cornered his family in the bedroom.  This is one reason you have to love cats.  They are opinionated and territorial.

The owners called 911 and the family are keeping the cat.

This is one of the best stories of 2014!

Selfies?

March 6th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Sunday night Ellen took the selfie that was heard around the world!

Let me be the first to say it, I don’t get selfies.  This is not the first time we have had handheld cameras.  They have been around for years!  I know they are in phones but why do we feel the need to pull out a camera every minute?

To me it feels like everyone thinks the camera is a new invention.  How weird!

Here are my thoughts about why this is a phenomenon:

1. We all think we are stars!  We are not.  I don’t care if my neighbor takes a selfie on vacation.

2. We have huge egos.  Refer to number one.

3. We live online.  Refer to number one.

4. We want to be cool.  Refer to number one.

Ok, that’s out of my system.

So, how should we use the camera?   Let’s take pictures of interesting things.  Landscapes, family pictures.  Let’s not take pictures of ourselves with our tongues out.

Oscar Re-Cap

March 4th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Here are my best and worst moments from Sunday’s Oscars.    The ceremony was long, as usual, but there were some interesting moments.

Best:

1. E!’s commentary:  Their pre-show interviews showed class and style.  However, I did miss Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski live on the red carpet.

2. Charlize Theron, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lawrence:  They were best-dressed!

3.  OK, I admit, Ellen did some creative things: selfie and pizza man!

4. Matthew’s speech.  So classy.  He did not swear or use notes.

5. Jared Leto’s Jesus hair.

6. Bette Midler

7. Whoopi Goldberg

8. The Great Gatsby nabbing two Oscars

9. Loved Jennifer Lawrence’s necklace.

10. Angelia Jolie looking healthy

Here are my worse moments:

1. Nipita’s dress.  I loved the dress but not on her.  She has the body of a boy and this dress accentuated it.

2. John Travolta: Just a tip!  Rehearse.

3. Way too long.  Let’s cut out the hero segments, the gimmicks and just give away the awards.

4. Way too much campaigning and too little surprises.  We usually get one or two surprise winners but we all knew who would win and so did they.  Cate Blanchett wore gold!

5. Pink.  She is a rocker not a ballad singer.  Kristen Chenoweth was in the audience.  She would have stopped the show!

6.  Idina Menzel.  I don’t get her.

7. The trip.  Jennifer, learn how to walk on the red carpet.  It was cute at first but now we all will start to wonder.

8. Why was Jessica Biel there?

9.  Loved the addition of Kim Novak but introduce her properly.

10.  Again, it was way too long.