The Amazon Guide

As a publicist I get asked by clients and authors about going to the National Publicity Summit in New York.  I’ve attended almost every Summit since Steve Harrison started it and go once or twice a year to create new media relationships, maintain old ones and of course, to pitch my clients to the media.  Through the Summit, I’ve gotten clients booked on Fox News, PBS, CNBC, MSNBC and a number of national magazines.

I represent a lot of authors. Here’s the problem: authors have to do most of the promotion of their books if they want them to sell.  Even if you’ve been picked up by one of the big publishing houses, they only do so much to get you media attention.  This is the reality.

So, let’s say you decide to get media attention yourself.  You plan your trip to New York City, where most of the big media are headquartered. You roll into Manhattan with your strategy all laid out: ‘First, I’m going to try to meet with the producer of Good Morning America, and then I’m going to Fox News, and then I’m going to see the guy at Reuters. After lunch, I’m going to try to talk to the Today Show and then I’m going to stop by and see if I can talk to the producer of 60 Minutes.’

Forget about it.  It’s not going to happen.

Reason #1 why I recommend the Summit for many people is access, one-on-one, to these media gatekeepers in a very efficient and organized event.  But is it for every author?  Depending on your situation, it may or may not make sense to go.  I’d recommend it if you have a consumer-oriented, non-fiction topic.  Does it have broad audience appeal?  Can your book help the average person in their day-to-day lives?  If so, then it makes sense for you to consider attending.

If you have a highly technical topic such as how computers work, or one about a historical event such as WWII, it probably doesn’t make sense to go to the Publicity Summit, unless you can connect your book to current trends.  (In fact, the Summit staff will probably turn down your application if they feel that the media would not be interested in the topic.)   Generally, fiction, poetry and books about localized topics will not do well at the Summit.  For example, a book about the best bars in Chicago would probably not be of interest to the national media who attend the Summit.

Should you go if you feel you’re not ready to meet the media?  Here’s the dirty little secret: no-one feels ready.  Don’t worry about that. If you’re an expert with a decent topic with a unique angle, the Summit can work for you.  Go there to build relationships, yes, but also go to get feedback from the news industry professionals.  I’ve seen people before the Summit starts coming in thinking they’re heading in one direction, then after having interacted with 100 journalists and producers, leaving with all new information or direction: a better book title, the perfect pitch, new business ventures and relationships.

I’m such a fan of Steve Harrison and his National Publicity Summit that I am now an affiliate for the Summit.  If you are interested in attending please check out this link: http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10373

About the Author:

About the author: Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm which specializes in marketing authors, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, ESPN, The New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Family Circle, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few. To discuss how Westwind Communications helps its clients get all the publicity they deserve and more visit http://www.westwindcos.com/book or call 734-667-2090 or email scottlorenz@westwindcos.com. For info on the National Publicity Summit visit: http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10373

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – National Publicity Summit – Should You Go? Article

As I Call You Down (Dig) $5.96 20101 debut from this trio featuring Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (George’s son) and Joseph Arthur. The trio formed in early 2010 and wasted little time before laying down tracks for what would become As I Call You Down. Ben Harper is no stranger to the music world. Having met FOM band-mate Dhani Harrison while skating, the two were unaware of each other’s background in the industry for months. Once…

Christmas with the Dale Warland Singers $14.48 The Dale Warland Singers make their debut on Gothic with a beautiful new Christmas CD, featuring imaginative arrangements of carols from around the world. The sound is incomparable!…

The Complete Recording of Boublil & Schonberg’s Miss Saigon $28.94 …

Apocalypse Now [VHS] $3.26 In the tradition of such obsessively driven directors as Erich von Stroheim and Werner Herzog, Francis Ford Coppola approached the production of Apocalypse Now as if it were his own epic mission into the heart of darkness. On location in the storm-ravaged Philippines, he quite literally went mad as the project threatened to devour him in a vortex of creative despair, but from this insanity came on…

Cleopatra [VHS] $4.98 This 1963 extravaganza, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, is certainly an epic historical drama with all the elements: elaborate sets, intricate costuming, name actors, a factual basis, and an overlong script (just over four hours). But the acting is well performed and the backdrops are lush, making this a film worth seeing. Elizabeth Taylor is Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen who seduces Julius Caes…

Phantom Lady [VHS] $14.98 …

There Will Be Blood [Blu-ray] $11.82 Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 06/03/2008 Run time: 158 minutes Rating: R…

The Fugitive [Blu-ray] $7.20 FUGITIVE – Blu-Ray Movie…

I am Sam (New Line Platinum Series) $3.61 A humorous and heart-warming film about a mentally-challenged father who enlists the aid of a high-power attorney to help him regain custody of his daughter. Studio: New Line Home Video Release Date: 12/11/2007 Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer Laura Dern Run time: 134 minutes Rating: Pg13 Director: Jessie Nelson…

2006 Score Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champions Football Cards Complete Set of 14 Cards including Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai Rookie, Vashon Pearson Rookie & more!! $12.95 …