Congratulations on writing a book! All your hard efforts researching, planning and writing have paid off. But the hard work (and payoff!) is not over yet. Now you must concentrate on marketing your book - and this can be an intimidating endeavor and a full-time job. So how can publicity help books get the attention they deserve?

With so much competition in the book market, your book needs to stand out and publicity is an important factor in selling books. Effective PR enhances the success of your title by developing a productive relationship with the public. Consider the following strategies for creating awareness:

? Have distribution available. Meet with a few large bookstore managers in your area to establish if they will carry your book in their stores. Once they accept it, you can arrange to have signings at these stores to get your name out in the community and increase sales. There are many benefits of book signings including: the manager automatically orders a number of books for the event so there is instant distribution available, readers can be informed of upcoming speaking engagements and book tours and bookstore managers will do promotional mailings to customers, announcements in newsletters, newspaper ads and media interviews to promote the event.

? Write a newsworthy press release about your book and send it to all media. If possible, tie current news and events into the release for an increased probability of it getting picked up. If your plans include a book tour, mention the major cities that you will be traveling to. Include contact information for where you can be reached at if the media is interested in an interview. A few days after your release has been distributed, make follow up calls to ensure your release has been received.

? Many times media representatives require more information before they agree to an interview so consider building a media kit. More attention is usually given to books that have media kits as producers rarely have time to read the books. Having all book information together and presented in an interesting way may cause them to choose your book over one for which they'd have to do more prep work.

For best publicity and media coverage results - consider hiring a Book Publicist. Many Publicists are reasonably priced and nothing can take the place of an experienced media expert completely dedicated to your book. Media representatives prefer to deal with professional publicists and it is easier for someone else to promote you and your book rather than authors calling the media for their own promotion.

By focusing on gaining publicity for your book with press releases, acquiring media coverage, obtaining speaking engagements and book signings -watch book sales soar and who knows - you may even hit the best-sellers list!

? Crystal Dallner 2007. All rights reserved; used by permission.