Hello! In this issue: - How to Mobilize Your Network When Launching a Book: Clarify the ASK
- Crafting Your Media Presence and Interview Tips: Conversation with media expert Paula Rizzo and Corinne Moulder
- Building Influence and Community: The Future (and Power) of Author Newsletters Corinne Moulder interviews Kathleen Schmidt
- Smith Publicity's 2025 Book Marketing Scholarship: Open for Submissions ($2500!), deadline June 1, 2025
- We are thrilled to share our
clients' recent media placements.
- We'd love to see you in person if you are attending these upcoming industry events: US Book Show (June NYC) where we are speaking, ImpactEleven Bootcamp (June, Chicago), American Library Association (June, Philadelphia), and National Speakers Association Influence (July, Scottsdale
AZ)
Kind regards, Sandy Poirier Smith • CEO, Smith Publicity, Inc. Resources and Articles for Authors, Experts & Publishing Professionals How to Mobilize Your Network When Launching a Book: Clarify the Ask by Sandy Poirier Smith, CEO Smith
Publicity  Read on browser
Launching a book is an exciting milestone, and mobilizing your network effectively can make all the difference—especially if book sales or pre-orders are a priority. Whether you’re aiming for bestseller status or simply want your book to reach as many readers as possible, your
personal and professional network is one of your most valuable resources. Here are the steps we recommend to authors for harnessing the power of their network with targeted strategies and a well-structured timeline. Starting at least six months before your publication date will give you the time needed to create and execute an impactful plan.
Step 1: Build Your Contact Master
ListThink of everyone in your network: clients, colleagues, peers, panelists, board members, collaborators, authors you've supported, and others who are connected to your work. Don’t forget contacts like college friends, industry experts, and leaders featured in your book. In addition to your existing network, create a reach list—a group of influential individuals you don’t
know personally but who have strong visibility in your field. These could include thought leaders, top industry voices, academics, or media personalities who align with your book’s themes. Be bold! Aim high and think about the people whose endorsement or connection could make a significant impact. Reaching out to them might just open doors you didn’t expect. Organize this list into a detailed spreadsheet. Suggested columns to begin
include: - Name
- Organization
- Contact Information
- The ASK: Potential Ways They Can Help
- Personal Notes (e.g., books
they have written, professional affiliations, mutual connections, audience and size, etc.)
- Next Steps (details of outreach, dates, commitments, etc.)
This master list will become the foundation of your outreach strategy and as you progress, it will help keep track of communication, opportunities, and your action items.
Step 2: Define “The Ask” What do you want your network to do? Tailor your asks to each person’s strengths and communication channels. Here are common ways your network can support your book launch: Write a Blurb While there is some controversy
over the value of blurbs or endorsements, they have the power to enhance your book's credibility, whether they come from prominent figures or professionals with impressive titles. Feature blurbs on your Amazon page (turn into Amazon A+ content), website, and in media outreach. Pro Tip: Many people need help crafting blurbs. Offer to share suggested wording for them to use or to
refine. Feature You on Their Podcast Ask contacts with podcasts to host you as a guest. If you have your own podcast, propose a swap if it aligns. When asking, share suggested talking points ideal for their listeners.
Pro Tip:
Even if recorded months in advance, ask for the podcast to air right before your book’s launch week. Include You in Their Newsletter Ask to be featured in their newsletters (personal, Substack, or LinkedIn). Offer a Q&A or byline article to share your insights and news of your new
book.
Pro Tip: Offer a pre-order bonus where readers pre-order your book in exchange for a “bonus.” This may be exclusive content or access to you. Promote You on Their Social Media Platform Identify the platforms your contacts
use most—LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, X, Facebook, etc.—and ask them to post about your book. It could be a book recommendation, a brief book description, a book cover and link to purchase, other images or a longer post about you and your book. Again, offer to create original content.
Pro Tip: Send them a review copy and suggest they post a photo of them holding your book; this is an easy post for them and boosts
visibility and credibility for your book. Facilitate Bulk Purchases If your contact is part of an organization, suggest a bulk book purchase for their team or event. “Asking” for a bulk book purchase is a common strategy, especially when combined with offering a lunch and learn or fireside chat to
their audiences.
Pro Tip: Work with your publisher to ensure these sales count toward Bookscan numbers. Companies like Porchlight or Givington’s facilitate this process. Provide Speaking Opportunities Offer a tailored
presentation that aligns with your book’s themes and is customized to meet the specific needs of the audience for contacts involved in organizing events or conferences. Many authors waive speaking fees in exchange for the organization buying books in bulk for attendees. Pro Tip: Pre-order bulk book strategy: if the event is after the publication date, ask organizers to purchase books
before your publication date to maximize sales impact.
Step 3: Plan Your Timing and Assets Timing is everything. Outline when you’ll make each ask and when you’d ideally like the placement (e.g., social posts, podcast episodes, blurb) to land. Always offer an electronic or physical review copy of your book. Pro Tip: Create a shared Google folder with pre-made assets to streamline collaboration: - Social media templates with your book cover
- Author headshots
- Long and short author bios
- Book cover image
- Short about the book information, including publication date
- Retail links
Making it easy for others to share your book will increase the ease and likelihood of engagement. Conclusion Launching a book is a thrilling milestone, and effectively leveraging your network is an ideal strategy to help significantly amplify its success—especially if driving sales or pre-orders is a priority. Whether your goal is to achieve bestseller status or simply to connect your book with as many readers as possible, your network is an invaluable resource. With the right strategies and a structured timeline, you can unlock the full potential of your network. Begin by building a comprehensive list of contacts, including those you know and influential figures you aim to reach. Define clear, tailored asks that align with each contact’s strengths, and equip them with the tools and assets needed to support your efforts seamlessly. |
Authors: Crafting Your Media Presence, Interview Tips and Advice  Smith Publicity's Corinne Moulder welcomes back Emmy award-winning television producer, bestselling author, and media training expert Paula Rizzo in this segment of 'All Things Book
Marketing'.
Paula shares her journey from TV production to becoming a media trainer, emphasizing the importance of preparation, content creation, and confidence for authors and experts. They discuss common misconceptions about media training, the value of storytelling, the essentials of video creation, and effective strategies to handle interviews.
Listeners will gain insights on becoming media-ready, leveraging their book as an extension of their brand, and preparing for media appearances. 📖 Read the blog for key takeaways
🎧 Listen to the podcast now Building Influence and Community: The Future (and Power) of Author Newsletters I n this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing,' Corinne Moulder, Vice President of Smith Publicity, interviews Kathleen
Schmidt, founder of Kathleen Schmidt Public Relations. They discuss advice on creating engaging content, building a newsletter audience, and the evolving and future role of digital platforms in the author/publishing industry. 📖 Read the blog for key takeaways
🎧 Listen to the podcast now Recent Media Highlights: Smith Publicity Clients in the News - Lorraine K. Lee, author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career (Wiley), in Next Big Idea Club Book of the Day newsletter, Office Hours, AARP, Success, and Forbes.
- Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs (Wiley), in HBR IdeaCast, CBS News, and NASDAQ.
- Kim Shapira M.S., R.D., author of This Is What You're Really Hungry For: Six Simple Rules to Transform Your Relationship with Food to Become Your Healthiest Self (BenBella Books), in
AARP's The Girlfriend, Healthline, National Practitioner, Glamour, Yahoo! (syndicated), and The Healthy/Readers Digest.
- Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher, authors of SuperShifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence (Wiley), in MIT Sloane: Ideas Made to Matter, Fortune, Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, IBM Think, and AI Journal.
- Amberly Lago, author of Joy Through the Journey: Shift Your
Mindset, Embrace the Present Moment, and Cultivate Resilience Through Life's Ups and Downs (Wiley), in People Magazine.
- Dr. Gertrude
Lyons, author of Rewrite the Mother Code: From Sacrifice to Stardust: A Cosmic Approach to Motherhood (Rise Books), in Wall Street Journal.
- Cary Carbonaro, author of Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune (Wiley), featured in Business Insider and another Business Insider Financial Advisor, and UE Express.
- Dheepa R. Maturi, author of 108: An Eco-Thriller in Foreword Reviews.
- Marcia Bonato Warren, author of Movement and Identity: Multiculturalism, Somatic Awareness and Embodied Code-Switching (Singing Dragon), in Newsweek (syndicated to multiple outlets) and Well+Good.
- Dr. Isabelle Morley, author of They’re Not Gaslighting
You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship (PESI Publishing), in Ask Men.
- Dr.
Michelle Jorgensen, author of Living Well with Dr. Michelle: A Comprehensive Handbook for Optimal Health and Unlimited Energy (BenBella Books), in Reader's Digest, Real Simple, and NewsNation.
- Vivian Song and Joel Holland, authors of Paris Shopfronts (Prestel Publishing), in MSN, Splash Magazines, and The Fashionable Housewife.
- Kathy Oneto, author of Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work (Greenleaf Book Group), in Smart Brief, All Business, Disrupt Your Career, and FOX.
- Ashley Seidel Potvin, Ph.D, and William R. Penuel, Ph.D., authors of Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities: Leading Together to Address Everyday Suffering in Schools (Jossey-Bass), Educator Forever, Good Day Dayton, and UnMASKing with Male Educators.
- Dr. Tyler Evans, author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: Decoding the Social and Political Drivers of Pandemics
from Plague to COVID-19 (Johns Hopkins University Press), in Newsweek, Heathcare Insights, People, Yahoo! News, Physicians Guide to Doctoring, and Food & Wine.
- Dr. Bernard Harris, author of Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential (Savio Republic), in Newsweek, Investor's
Business Daily, Fast Company, and FOX DC.
- Roger Kapoor, author of Working Happy! How to Survive Burnout and Find Your Work/Life Synergy in the Healthcare Industry (American Association for Physician Leadership), in MSN, Parade, Yahoo! and Daily Mail.
- Dr. Rebecca Homkes, author of Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times (Kogan Page), in Signal 360, Director and Boards, Smart Brief, and International
Business Podcast.
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LAST CALL: Smith Publicity's Book Marketing Scholarship Open for Submissions Until June 1![]() Now in its 13th year, the Smith Publicity Book Marketing scholarship supports college students who share our passion for books and the power of communicating big ideas.  If you know a student with a love for storytelling, writing, or publishing, we encourage them to apply to the $2500 scholarship. The submission deadline is June 1, 2025. Winner will
be notified on July 1, 2025, and announced publicly on August 1, 2025. This year's prompt: What media outlet, influencer, social media personality, or blog do you turn to for book recommendations? Why? What makes them your "go to" resource? 👉 More details here. Apply here! |
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Smith Publicity Award: Most Innovative PR Firm | Interested in exploring book publicity & marketing services? | |
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