The Cuckleburr Times » Rick Frishman

Author’s Marketing 10 Commandments

Rick Frishman — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 13:36:20 +0000

Remember the marketing of your book starts months before the book comes out. You must plan early and never stop!

1. Always over deliver with the content of your books, seminars, talks, etc.

2. Make your marketing efforts creative and consistent enough to position yourself as one of the top authors in your field.

3. Welcome change as an opportunity to find ideas and improve your business and your life.

4. Make selling your books to new readers the start of a lifelong relationship.

5. Encourage readers to contact you, and regard this as an opportunity to serve them, to help attract new readers through word of mouth, and to publicize everything you can offer them.

6. Welcome the chance to say thank you and reward those who help you.

7. Let your decisions reflect harmonious short- and long-term personal and professional goals that make you eager to get up in the morning.

8. Ask the people involved with your books and your business to help you keep these commandments.

9. Strive to create harmony between what you think, say, and do, without crossing the line between being righteous and self-righteous.

10. Understand that marketing begins once you’ve made the sale and that a mind-numbing 68 percent of all business lost is due to apathy after the sale.

It is all about marketing. Not writing the book- it is what you do after your book is out. How much radio, TV, Newspaper and internet marketing you do! Please start 3 months before your book comes out!

Rick Frishman, the founder of Planned Television Arts, has been one of the leading book publicists in America for over 30 years.

Rick is Publisher at Morgan James Publishing in New York. David Hancock founded Morgan James in 2003 and in 2007 “MJ” published over 130 books. Morgan James only publishes non fiction books and looks for authors with a platform who believe in giving back. Morgan James gives a portion of every book sold to Habitat for Humanity.

Visit http://www.rickfrishman.com for the million $ Rolodex.

The Right Way to Do a Media Interview

Rick Frishman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:40:35 +0000

Doing interviews with the media can make or break your career! You need practice. This is in the news more than ever! Just look at people named Barack, John, Joe, and in particular Sarah. See how they do on their interviews with people like Katie (and others).

You tell me – are they hitting home runs – or are they taking themselves out of the playoffs? (Had to put that in- I am watching my team the METS right now).

You gotta be prepared with every answer – and “You only have one chance to make a first impression.”

Here are some tips to help you with your interviews.

For interviews with the media, be professional and totally prepared. Don’t leave anything to chance. Look your best. Be neat, well groomed, and dress to sell. Even dress for radio and print interviews. Although the audience won’t see you, the interviewer will–so make a great impression. Notice how often in print, writers describe the subject and what he or she was wearing or how he or she acted or looked.Prior to TV appearances, watch the show to see how the host and guests dress and conduct themselves. It’s usually safe to dress in the same manner as the host. If, after watching, you’re still not sure what to wear, ask the producer.

Keep excellent records of everyone’s telephone numbers, including the producer’s cell phone numbers in case an emergency arises. Know how to check into the reception area at the station because some stations’ doors are locked early in the morning or they have tight security and require photo identification.

Also, be aware that when important news breaks, your segment can be postponed or cancelled. Whenever possible, watch or listen to the station on which you will be appearing.

In response to interview questions:

* Answer the question that was asked, even if it doesn’t let you state any of your main points. Answer the question directly, but briefly. Then, slide into one of your main points. Try to make a smooth transition by moving gently into the point that fits most closely. If you’re too abrupt or reach too far, your response will sound contrived and you will come off as just a promoter. Slide gently by prefacing your remarks with, “That reminds me of a story,” “When I was _______,” or “I heard about a _______.” Sliding is an art that takes subtlety and practice, so work on it in conversations with your friends.

* “Master the art of ‘clever segues,’” Barbara De Angelis suggests. “No matter what anyone asks you, say what you want to say. Comment on the question that’s asked in one quick sentence, but then move on to the point you want to make. Practice until you learn to move gracefully from the question asked to the answer you want to give. To do so, you must really know your own material so you can quickly decide which point to make.”

* If you get stuck and don’t know an answer, say, “Thank you, that’s an excellent question. But what I want to share with your listeners is . . .” and then go straight to your message. Study politicians; they use this technique all the time. Watch how they deflect questions to always get their messages across, regardless of what they’re asked.

* If, as the interview continues, you have not had a chance to address your main points, do so, but don’t be rude. Remember that you’re there to make your points. So answer the questions you’re asked briefly and then state, “But I’d really like to point out that _________” or “I think it’s important for you to know (or understand) that _________” and then make your point. Speak directly, calmly, and pleasantly. Never let built-up frustration or anger seep through.

* Keep your answers short and simple. Don’t lecture or preach. Simplify complex information because interviewers and audiences tend to wander during long, hard-to-follow explanations. If interviewers want more information, they will ask for it.

* Give your interview for the audience, listener, or reader, not just the host or interviewer. “Ninety percent of the people who interview you are not listening to what you say. They’re thinking about the next question, the next interview, lunch, or their own problems,” De Angelis points out. So focus on the audience.

* That said, make the host or interviewer look good. Say, “What a great question” or “No one has ever asked me that before.” But do it only once or it will seem insincere. Act as if every question is insightful even as you change the subject to stress one of your main points.

* Listen closely so you can respond appropriately and gracefully tie your answers to your main points. If an audience is present, listen, watch, and speak directly to them. Treat the audience as your conversation partner, smile, pay attention to it, and observe its reactions.

* When possible, try to work the title of your book into your answer. For example, Barbara De Angelis will say, “It looks like she was having a ‘How Did I Get Here?’ moment.” However, sometimes the title of your book won’t work or it will sound too forced. Also, don’t state your title constantly.

* Be yourself. Don’t put on airs or try to be someone else. Avoid language, expressions, and gestures that you don’t ordinarily use or that the audience might not understand.

* Be polite, respectful, and likable. Laugh at the host’s or interviewer’s jokes, but not hysterically. Smile and call him or her by name: “Well, yes, Phil” or “Thank you, Jane.” Never steal the limelight from the interviewer or host or be pushy. Remember that it’s the host or interviewer’s show.

* Smile and act as if you’re enjoying yourself. Don’t paste a big, goofy grin across your face or laugh loudly. Be humble. Wear a pleasant look on your face and don’t act like you’re going through an inquisition.

Rick Frishman, the founder of Planned Television Arts, has been one of the leading book publicists in America for over 30 years. Working with many of the top book editors, literary agents and publishers in America, including Simon and Schuster, Random House, Wiley, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Penguin Putnam, and Hyperion Books, he has worked with best-selling authors including Mitch Albom, Caroline Kennedy, Howard Stern, President Jimmy Carter, Mark Victor Hansen, Nelson DeMille, John Grisham, Hugh Downs, Henry Kissinger, Jack Canfield, Alan Deshowitz, Arnold Palmer, and Harvey Mackay.

In addition to his work at “PTA” Rick has now taken on the new role as Publisher at Morgan James Publishing in New York. David Hancock founded Morgan James in 2003 and in 2007 “MJ” published over 130 books. Morgan James only publishes non fiction books and looks for authors with a platform who believe in giving back. Morgan James gives a portion of every book sold to Habitat for Humanity.

http://www.rickfrishman.com for the million $ rolodex

Walk The Walk – Time For You To Get Published!

Rick Frishman — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:54:29 +0000

The rewards of getting your book published can be huge, but the costs can be steep. If you want to be a published writer, understand that you will probably have to adjust your thinking and walk the publisher’s walk.

Your dynamic keynote speech that received that long standing ovation may not translate into a salable book; your comic routine that makes them double up in their seats may not work when it’s put in writing. Your book that your children can’t have read to them too often might not cut it in the competitive world of kids’ books.

If you want to get your book published, you’ll have to relearn how to walk. You’ll have to learn how to walk the publishing walk, but when you do, you may be able to walk directly to the bank!

Believe in your idea; keep that fire burning in your heart and stay convinced that your book must be published.

Then feed agents, editors, and publishers exactly what they want. Play the game; walk the walk.

Walking the publishing walk is not always simple; it’s cluttered by so many rules. Plus every house, editor, agent, bookseller, and reader has their own requirements, preferences and biases on what and how you must deliver.

Fortunately, each and every one of them is different. They have different backgrounds, different reactions, and different likes and dislikes. Also they can be open, curious, willing to take a chance, or like, understand, or identify with you. So follow their rules, as hard as they may seem, because it could get you noticed and increase your chances of selling your book.

Adopting a positive attitude is the hallmark of a professional, and it will pay off in the long run. Everyone-especially agents, editors, and publishers-wants to work with professionals; they ultimately will be more accommodating and helpful to professionals. So, do yourself a big favor and make getting your book published easier by adjusting your outlook. Then, prepare to cash in.

Years ago, Robyn Spizman wrote a book called The Thank You Book, which has been revised, updated, and is still successfully in print and selling very well. That book embodied the spirit of my work as a writer. When I first shared the idea, I was told it was a magazine article, not a book. It would have been easy to quit right then and there, but I believed in the art of gratitude and knew this book was meant to be.

She put this book’s philosophy to work throughout her career. If an editor assisted her, a librarian guided her or anyone offered her help or advice, she made sure to send them a handwritten thank-you note. A key to success in any business is to express your appreciation to those individuals who make a difference in your career from the ground up! Keep in mind, an attitude of gratitude goes a long way!

Action Steps

Identify the items involved in getting your book published that you didn’t expect. Just list the things that you can think of at this time without exploring further in this book.

List the items you must complete to get your book published that you don’t feel comfortable with. What do you think your weaknesses will be? What haven’t you ever done or don’t do well?

List all of the possible benefits that getting your book published can bring. Think expansively. Don’t just include those that should occur, but also list the wildest possibilities.

Compare the effort you will be required to make with the benefits that you might get. Will it be worth it?

Write what you think being a professional writer means to agents, editors, and publishers.

Remember:

Aspiring writers are frequently not prepared for the obstacles they must overcome to get published. For example, they may receive many conflicting opinions that they don’t want to hear. Frequently, they don’t know how to deal with them and find them difficult and discouraging. Many get frustrated, disillusioned, and quit.

If you want to get your book published, believe in your ideas. Keep the fire burning in your heart, and remain dedicated and convinced that your book must be published. Give agents, editors, and publishers exactly what they want, even more than they ask. Play the game; walk the publishing walk. Develop a platform from which your voice can be clearly heard.

http://www.rickfrishman.com for the million $ rolodex