If you’re curious about the process of crafting and curating your own brand as a cookbook author, you’ve come to the right place. In this episode, we’ll be giving you a masterclass in self-promotion!
The idea of putting yourself out there for the world to see is exhilarating to some, stressful to others. And, regardless of which camp you find yourself in, it can be difficult to know the best way to go about promoting your personal brand online.
In this episode of Creatively Speaking: Recipe for Success, Andrea Burnett, a seasoned book publicist with an impressive 25 years of experience, shares her invaluable insights into the intricate world of self-promotion for authors. With a focus on the importance of active engagement and strategic planning, Andrea provides a comprehensive guide for both seasoned and budding writers.
Whether an author follows a traditional publishing route or opts for self-publishing, Andrea advocates for a hands-on approach to book promotion, emphasizing the author’s active role in building a robust platform:
“[Authors are] planting the seeds. The book could just be just a morsel of an idea in your head, but get out there and start talking about it!”
In addition to spearheading PR efforts, Andrea identifies both timing and engaging content as invaluable parts of the promotional process. She encourages writers to leverage seasonal purchases for different types of books and to plan their promotional efforts well in advance of the book’s release, making sure to follow through even after the book has come out to keep the audience engaged. Additionally, Andrea suggests authors research media outlets aligned with the book’s target audience in order to find ways to connect with like-minded individuals.
While these short-term tips are great to get you started, Andrea wants to make sure to leave listeners with some advice that is future-focused as well. Andrea advises writers to look beyond the immediate release period, considering their next project and contemplating the re-pitching of their book in the following year to sustain momentum.
The breadth of guidance Andrea provides, delivered with such clarity and openness, is what makes this episode a must-listen!
What you’ll learn in this episode
- 0:14:07 | Andrea Burnett’s introduction and publicity background
- 0:22:41 | The definition of PR, its distinction from marketing, and the crucial role authors play in promoting their books
- 0:26:20 | Advice on preparing PR content, the importance of visibility, and utilizing a book as a calling card for other business ventures
- 0:35:28 | The essentials of connecting with publicists, researching them, and establishing strong relationships for effective book promotion
- 0:45:00 | The significance of social media platforms in publicity campaigns
- 0:49:43 | The intricacies of the publicist–author collaboration, focusing on trust, communication, and a nonlinear pitching approach
- 1:02:41 | The importance of realistic expectations, ongoing publicity efforts, and considerations for timing in different book categories.
- 1:20:25 | The cost of hiring a publicist
- 1:23:02 | Andrea’s final remarks on the perpetuity of traditional media coverage online
For anyone reading who is in the process of promoting a book, remember to enjoy the journey! Use your publicity process as a way to showcase both your passions and your personality with your audience.
And remember to join us for all installments of Creatively Speaking: Recipe for Success, hosted by LeAnna Weller Smith of Weller Smith Design. From the kitchens of chefs to the minds of food bloggers and creatives, each episode is guaranteed to be a celebration of culinary passion turned into tangible art.
Episode Resources:
Website: https://wellersmithdesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellersmithdesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannawellersmith/
If you are curious about self-publishing and want to learn more about how we can help, check out our Self-Publishing Services.
Weller Smith Design is a Full-Service Boutique Design Agency that provides publishing, self-publishing, branding, web design, and strategy services. We pride ourselves in being the Boutique Agency of choice for Thought Leaders like you.
