If a book falls into a bookstore and no one knows, does the book get read?

For writers and creative workers, publicists are the best thing since sliced bread. And here’s why: if no one knows about your book, how will they ever read it? How will they ever buy it, dog-ear its pages, underline favorite sentences, or tell their friends about it? Without good publicity, good books go unread.

If you are an author and your publisher does not have a publicist, the safest thing you can do to make sure your book does not go out of print is to hire a freelance publicist—especially when the publicist has been recommended by another trusted writer, or when you have interviewed the publicist and you like the way he or she does business.

Finding a good publicist is not like shooting fish in a barrel. Good ones are few and far between. So when looking for a publicist, it’s good to ask the right questions: Do they have a good track record? Do you like the work they have done for others in the past? Do you think you can enjoy working with them? And most importantly, do you feel like they are rooting for you? Do you feel they will do their very best for you?

Explore their website. Are they creative? Do they have positive energy? Are they articulate and passionate? Do you feel like they know what you are doing? What is their background and what contacts do they have?

Make sure that if you want to work as a team, that you hire that sort of publicist. Or, if you want to have a completely hands-off experience, make sure you hire that kind of publicist. If you want a large publicity firm, and want to dodge a relationship with the publicist, go with a large publicity firm with protocols and secretaries.

Writing is more than just your hobby—it’s your business—and a good publicist can help you do things right. No, it’s more than just your business. It’s your passion. So find a publicist who will fan the flames, give your project wings, and make it soar. You deserve nothing less.

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Sherri Rosen is now living in Harlem, New York. She has had her own publicity business for 12 years giving a powerful voice to people who are doing good things in the world. She also writes her own blog at SherriRosen.com, GateKeepersPost.com, Triiibes.com, Examiner.com and TheGoodMenProject.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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Editor: Alexandra Grace