N.Y. Times Reviewer Needs Books

Issue #996 Feb. 20, 2016
Publisher: Joan Stewart

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

In This Issue

N.Y. Times Reviewer Needs Books
Email List-Building for Authors
Another Twitter Tool
Hound Video of the Week

This Weekend in the Hound House:

After removing the carpeting from my bedroom, I’ve won the battle with the dust mites! Finally, no more allergies or coughing. Bad news: A nasty sinus infection has taken its place. I’m using essential oils, over-the-counter medication and getting lots of rest. If you have other tips, send ’em my way.

1. N.Y. Times Reviewer Needs Books

If you’ve written a motivational for women, I know a New York Times Book reviewer who might want to read it.

She’s Charmaine Carraway, a life coach and motivational speaker who also writes for Huffington Post. We crossed paths this week when she called to ask me a question about an article she found that I’d written.

When she told me she has reviewed two books for the Times, I asked if it would be OK to let you know about her, and she said yes.

“I love to read,” she said.

Charmaine, a life coach and motivational speaker, also blogs and has a podcast. So if she doesn’t review your book, she’s open to other pitches.

To do: Pitch Charmaine at CharmaineC@TheVisionarywoman.com. and tell her why she’d be interested in your book.

2. Email List-Building for Authors

Selling books is tough enough. But without an email list of people who you’ve been communicating with regularly, moving books on Launch Day is an uphill battle.

Your email list is the one receptacle where you can consolidate your fans, social media contacts and others–and market to them whenever you wish.

Last year, I started offering a free one-page sheet on “10 Profitable Ways to Use Email to Create SuperFans Who Help You Sell Books.” Since then, almost 5,000 authors have download it, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the response. Many authors are asking about how to start building an email list, what email management program to use, and what to write about in their emails.

This Thursday, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, I’m hosting a free webinar for authors and publishers that explains where to start, how to start, and what kinds of content you can share with your readers, even if you write fiction.

I’m leaving time for lots of questions at the end. If you’ve heard publishing experts encouraging you to start building an email list now, but you’re confused by the technology and how all the cogs in the wheel fit together, this training is for you.

Everyone who arrives five minutes early gets a $50 gift. Everyone who stays to the end gets three super tips on email marketing for authors.

To do: After you register, use the Twitter and Facebook buttons to share the webinar registration link.

3. Another Twitter Tool

Publicity Hound Anne Roos saw the item in Tuesday’s tips about Tweepdash, the tool that shows you quickly see who you’re following on Twitter who isn’t following you back, who follows you but you’re not following, and who you follow that follows you back.

She recommended CrowdfireApp.com, a tool she likes much better.

“It has more to it: Copy Followers, Inactive Followers (according to how long they have been inactive–one of the best tools. Why bother following someone who has abandoned their Twitter account?). It has a Keyword Follow, which is very useful for following specific colleagues. I’ve used it to follow music booking agents. It has a Blacklist, so that they won’t show up as suggestions to follow, a Friend Check, and automated welcome messages.

This tool was formerly known as CrowdFire. I love the keyword feature!

To do: Go to CrowdfireApp.com, and log in with Twitter or Instagram.

4. Hound Video of the Week

Thanks to Publicity Hound BL Ochman of New York City for this video of 4-week-old boxer puppies sliding down a slide and being cute.

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