How to build corporate partners, sponsors and champions for your book or cause

How to build corporate partners, sponsors and champions for your book, project or cause

What if you could have other businesses pay for your book tour?

What if you found other businesses to be part of your cause?

 

What if a business purchased your books or products in bulk for charitable organizations and people in need?

What if your book tour didn’t cost you a cent?

One of the things I LOVE talking about is building a circle of corporate champions, partners and sponsors.... the last 20 minutes of this show I talk about my favorite tips on this very topic!   

They work.  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2014/01/29/daily-rounds-of-a-hound-and-building-corporate-partners

 

My six favorite tips for building a circle of champions and corporate partners are to:

1)      Build relationships. Relationships are key!

2)      Community clearly, often and purposefully.

3)      ASK for what you need. People don’t know how to help you if you don’t ask.

4)      Follow up, keep commitments.

5)      Recognize partners and sponsors in meaningful ways.

6)      Exceed expectations.

Here are a few tips for presenting your concept or project to a potential sponsor or partner:

-        Have  clear concept

-        Be excited and passionate

-        Practice your sound bytes

-        Look for the reciprocity

-        Do your research

-        Plan and have a process

Need help on building your circle of corporate partners, champions and sponsors for your book, your tour or events?   

Contact our office to inquire about 1:1 mentoring with Charmaine or if you prefer the DIY approach, check out our program here:  http://howtosellandmarketyourbook.com/level-1-2/

Selling books and products in bulk- to non traditional retailers

Brian Judd is an author, book-marketing expert,  TV host, and, President of Premium Book Company that sells books to non-bookstore buyers on a non-returnable commission only basis.  Brian is also the Executive Director of SPAN, which is the Successful Publishers Association of North America. 

His book How to Make Real Money Selling Books (without worrying about returns) is an ultimate do it yourself guide to selling books to non-bookstore buyers and selling in bulk with no returns. 

I interviewed Brian on my radio show Your Book as a Business, and he provided some great tips for book sales for authors. Brian talked about a few of the many ways that corporations buy author’s books in bulk. One such way is for employee recognition or to go with awards, to give to their members or staff, as a customer recognition or sign up bonus, or to compliment employee training and development.  There are many other organizations that also buy books in bulk, such as homeschooling associations, Military, schools associated with the Military, government, book clubs and professional associations.

Many authors think the wider and bigger the market for their book the better, however, Brian urges authors to consider that the tighter and smaller the market, the better.  It is easier to build relationships, zero in on a marketing strategy and find the niche when your market is smaller. Think about yourself and your book as a problem solver. When you can determine what problem you solve, it is easier to market and generate multiple book sales. 

Brian gave examples of dog food companies who gave authors books away (after purchasing in bulk) as a coupon or with a bag of dog food.  The formula to remember is:

AIDA

Attention, Interest, Desire then Action;

What corporations, associations or groups might have an interest in your book (or their clients or staff may have interest because you solve their problem)?  How can you attract their attention?How can you apply this approach to your business?

You can listen to Brian Judd’s interview with me here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2013/05/15/guest-brian-jud

To read more tips for authors, visit www.HowToSellAndMarketYourBook.com
 

To buy Brian's book, visit:

 

Why Your Writing Style Can Make or Break Your Media Opportunities

Today's blog is a guest post by Lisa Elia, enjoy!!

Lisa Elia- PR Expert and Media Trainer

Don’t be too casual with your writing style, when pitching the media.Many members of the media, especially at larger, more prestigious media outlets, are very well educated and can be picky about correct grammar and punctuation. 

Some members of the media have told me that even one typo or grammatical error in a pitch or press release can make them disregard the pitch entirely. If you’re not a great writer, and even if you are, have someone proofread everything you send to the media.

Use Associated Press Style in press releases that you will send to the media (as opposed to those you may simply post online for consumer viewing). If you’re writing press releases or even if you are having them written for you, it’s important to know what Associated Press Style is because it will save you many PR service hours and/or dollars.

Associated Press (AP) Style is the media industry standard for journalistic style. Adhering to this style will make members of the media take you seriously, and it will make it easier for editors to publish your release immediately, and you ALWAYS want to make their job as easy as possible.

First, here’s a bit about the Associated Press, from the organization’s website:

“The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world’s population sees news from AP.”

On the Net: www.ap.org”

So, you can see why Associated Press Style is important when writing press releases. If you’re planning to do your own PR, I highly recommend buying the Associated Press Stylebook, available at Amazon.com or at www.ap.org

AP Style is very specific. There are rules on punctuation, grammar, quotes, etc. that are specific to this style. It also changes with the times, so be sure to get a new copy of the AP Stylebook every year or so. AP Style is succinct, journalistic, objective and factual. Keep in mind that press releases are meant to be newsworthy, so write “news.”

If you want a more flowery, loose article on yourself or your company, consider pitching an article authored by yourself to media outlets that accept submissions or write whatever you’d like on your blog.

As a basic rule in business and in PR, supply people with the information in a format that is going to make it easiest for people to spread the word about you.

For more tips, register for my 10 PR Musts guide at www.10PRmusts.com

Resource box:

This article is provided courtesy of PR Expert and Media Trainer Lisa Elia, the CEO and founder of Lisa Elia PR and Expert Media Training. Elia has spent more than 25 years in the PR industry, securing interviews for clients with major media outlets that include CNN, Oprah Winfrey Show, Time, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Redbook, Shape, Huffington Post, and hundreds of other outlets. To receive free tips on how to work with the media most effectively, avoid common mistakes and shine in every interview, visit www.lisaeliapr.com or contact us at lisa@lisaeliapr.com or 310-479-0217.

Use Video to Engage Members of the Media

Today’s Blog is a guest post by  Lisa Elia

Lisa Elia- PR Expert and Media Trainer

Videos are extremely important because members of the media (especially TV producers) need to see how you will come across on camera before they will book you for an interview. Increasingly, print media outlets are now including videos on their websites, to correlate to their print articles. Members of the media frequently search YouTube and Google for experts to interview and products to feature. So, if you want to attract the media and keep them interested in you or your company, video is crucial.

If you are an expert, create videos of yourself sharing valuable tips or information, or demonstrating what you do. If you create products, you can also share tips, but be sure to create at least one video that shows the products in use. Be sure that the lighting, audio and video quality is adequate for the media. You can lose the attention of the media quickly if your videos look too unprofessional or if they are difficult to watch.

Host your videos on your website so that you lead people back to your site to view them. For purposes of media pitching, it’s best to host at least some of your videos in an online press room on your website. You can also post your videos in the videos section of your Facebook page and other social media accounts, and share them in your feeds.

Include links to videos in the body of your press releases so that when they are published, readers can view the videos to gain information, be entertained or see something else that is useful, educational and/or entertaining. Also include links to videos of you/your products in your email pitches to the media so they can get an immediate sense of you and/or your products.

For more tips, register for my 10 PR Musts guide at www.10PRmusts.com

Resource box:

This article is provided courtesy of PR Expert and Media Trainer Lisa Elia, the CEO and founder of Lisa Elia PR and Expert Media Training. Elia has spent more than 25 years in the PR industry, securing interviews for clients with major media outlets that include CNN, Oprah Winfrey Show, Time, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Redbook, Shape, Huffington Post, and hundreds of other outlets. To receive free tips on how to work with the media most effectively, avoid common mistakes and shine in every interview, visit www.lisaeliapr.com or contact us at lisa@lisaeliapr.com or 310-479-0217.

Be Exquisite on Radio...How you sound, what you say and what you do matters

What are your favorite radio shows?

What makes you want to stay on the channel when you hear someone speaking?

What makes you want to tune into someone else?

 

 Radio is a great way to get your message out to the masses, share your expertise, to your current audience and those you wish to be in front of. I enjoy being on radio so much I am not only a frequent media guest, but, I also host my own three shows, you can check them out here:

Charmaine’s Radio Shows:

Conversations with Charmaine  Every Wed 1 pm MST   - I interview experts on leadership, team building, customer service, collaboration, difficult conversations, fundraising, and more!  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charmainehammond

PAWsitive Radio (all things Pets) Every Sat 3 pm MST – I interview experts in the pet industry, animal and pet related organizations. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond

Your Book As a Business  Every Sat. 4 pm MST – I interview authors and  experts in the publishing, book marketing, sponsorship and book sales industry     http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business

Debbi Dachinger award winning radio host, coach, best selling author

Authors, speakers, business owners and leaders often make the same radio mistakes. 

 

Are you making this On Air Mistakes?

•       Talking non-stop and not allowing the host to get in the conversation unless they interrupt you?

•       Turning your radio conversation into a monologue, a keynote?

•       Not engaging with the listening audience who are at home, in their car or getting ready for work?

Here's the good news! These mistakes can easily be overcome. Be prepared. Make sure the show is a good fit for you. Know how you will answer questions: One such way is to practice your “sound bites” before the show, research the show you will be on to get a flavor for the hosts’ approach, remember you are in a conversation (a two way dialogue), you want to be remembered so deliver great content and stories. These were a few of the many powerful tips from Debbi Dachinger.

Debbi Dachinger is an award winning radio host, of Dare to Dream Radio, and a sought after media guest. She is also a coach who teaches authors, entrepreneurs, speakers and businesses how to be fabulous on radio.  I interviewed her on my radio show; you can listen to her great tips here:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/11/17/guest-debbi-dachinger

For authors, speakers, entrepreneurs and leaders who will be on media (hint- speakers, authors, entrepreneurs..Radio is important!), there are a few ways you can find out about media opportunities, these are ones I also use:

-       HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

-       Reporter Connection

-       Pitchrate

-       Radio Guest list

-       Ask hosts for other referrals

Part of the radio experience is the relationship you build with the host. Make sure you help the host help promote the show. We use social media, our blog, invitations via email, to help promote the show. After the show, help the host promote the show link, we use our blog, social media, newsletters, emails with link to clients, and we put in our electronic press kits. You can also do a press release announcing the shows that you will be on.

Are you using Google Alerts? Asked Debbi. We are. This is how I find out how people are talking about us on the internet. Debbi shared a super example of this on the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/your-book-as-a-business/2012/11/17/guest-debbi-dachinger

Make sure you have your “talk abouts” page done, suggested Debbi. This is a page with 5-10 questions that the host might ask during your interview, and a short bio, and description of your book or services or event.

Debbi stressed the importance of follow up, stay in contact with the radio host, circle back every 3-4 months, they might just get you on the show again. Promote their show to other people. Do powerful email introductions of shows the host would be a good fit as a guest, or introduce exquisite guests to that host.

Access a free gift from Debbi:
www.deborahdachinger.com/freegift

Listen to internet radio with Your Book As a Business on Blog Talk Radio

Access a free gift from Debbi:

www.deborahdachinger.com/freegift

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