Anyone use a Publicist?

[Sapha]

Wondering if anyone has experience hiring book publicists, and what to look out for? From the digital blog tour guys to the larger “get you on the news” promises?

[Jan]

Hi Sapha,

I hired a guy named Anthony Mora of Anthony Mora Productions. I can at least tell you he's legitimate and tries to get your work out there (for quite a pretty penny). I got lots of good reviews and readings/presentations. However, it did not result in a heckuva lot of sales.

[Mandi]

Hi Sapha, I haven't hired a book publicist, but I am a publicist and hopefully I can give you some info that points you in the right direction.

First -- and you're already on to this -- it is extremely important to hire someone who specializes in book publicity. Lots of people think that they can hire any publicist or PR firm to do book PR, but it is very niched and you want someone who has strong relationships with media (or influencers/boostagramers) that cover literature and your genre. Unfortunately, a lot of my peers make promises they can't keep in this regard, so be sure to ask about their relationships and for examples of recent placements for clients. They should be happy to provide them. PR people are always promoting the coverage they secure, so if they don't have any recent examples it's a huge red flag.

You can also ask for testimonials or to be put in touch with other clients for references. My firm is always happy to connect prospective clients with current or past ones.

It's also really important to understand what things are going to cost and how you're going to be billed, how frequently, and for what. Are they going to charge you hourly or for the project? If it's a lump sum, what exactly are they going to do for that money, and how will it be reported to you? All of this should be outlined in a scope of work or proposal.

You also want to ask if they'll be working exclusively with earned media, or if they'll be including paid components in their work as as advertising. For example, a lot of times with paid media, the publicist will mark up the transaction. You'll want to know how all of that works. Will they be helping you with any branding? Securing speaking engagements/appearances/signings?

It is also important to note that when dealing with PR, coverage can't be guaranteed and you should be concerned with anyone who promises you otherwise. Along those lines, and to Jan's point, PR is really more about awareness than driving sales. So anyone who promises you sales as a result of working with you would also be someone to steer away from.

You also want to make sure you're really clear on your goals for your campaign and what you're wanting to get out of the partnership. Not only will this help you find alignment and fit with the right publicist, but you'll be able to get on the same page much faster with regard to expectations - and that's usually where agency/client relationships can go off the rails.

Read your contract.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you to trust your gut.

I hope that helps! Best of luck!

[Belle]

Nice info, Mandi.

[Sapha]

Mandi, you are a rockstar! Thank you so much, this helps me focus intensely.

[Elyce]

Very good advice here. I wish I had read it before hiring a publicist who seemed promising, but delivered very little, and collected a hefty sum.

[M.Z.]

I know writers who hired publicists, and Mandi sounds like a good one, but they are expensive. I suggest you carefully explore all the social media opportunities, free no less, and become conversant in those before you spend hard-earned money. We make precious little on each book, right? So why not see what sales you can generate on your own. I speak from experience, since I am on my third book and am just now trying to learn what FB and all the others can do for me, mostly free of charge. Good luck. M. Z. Thwaite, Tidewater Series.