Press releases help you get the word out about your book via media outlets, bloggers, and podcast hosts. The best part? You can write and distribute them yourself in nine easy steps. This method helped propel my latest book, The Rooster Diaries to Amazon’s coveted Number 1 slot in Bird Pet Care and Number 2 in Social Customs & Traditions
Create and Distribute a Press Release
- Hook Attention with a Headline: Keep it short, compelling, and informative. I went with: The Rooster Diaries Launches Today: A Witty Guide to Backyard Chicken-Keeping with a Philosophical Twist
- Craft an Engaging Introduction: The beginning is everything. Your lead-in will determine whether anyone will bother reading further. Aim for a conversational ‘inclusive’ tone. I went with: Alec the Rooster reigns supreme in this DIY suburban dream of a hen-keeper’s journey where Mother Nature meets modern-day mischief, raising backyard fowls.
- Make a Hierarchy of Paragraphs: Your first sentence should answer the who, what, when, where, and why. You want to give all the critical info upfront.
- Write Down Everything You Want to Say. Use verbs and active sentences. Avoid words that end in ‘ly. Make yourself a cup of coffee. Take a break. Come back and read it again. Does every word count? Are you sure? Good. Cut it in half!
- Add a Personal Touch: Include a quote from yourself as the author. Say what motivated you to write the book. For example: “I wrote The Rooster Diaries to create more awareness of animal sentience in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. The inside scoops on coops, food, and egg production all stem from my experience.”
- Prompt ChatGPT: “Please write a press release for my book about raising chickens. The headline should grab attention. The first paragraph should introduce the book and its unique angle, focusing on my experience. Include a short author bio that explains my passion for chickens and farming. Add a bullet-pointed list of the book’s main features (e.g., practical tips for raising chickens, philosophical musings, insights on sustainable egg production). Clearly state the target audience and why they’ll benefit from the book. End with a strong call to action encouraging people to buy the book and visit my social media pages. Include a memorable quote from me that shows my enthusiasm for the topic.”
- Target Niche Media Outlets: Look for media outlets that specifically cover books, your genre, or your local area. Join Facebook groups that share your passions and interests.
- Submit to Free Press Release Sites: I submitted mine to Ein Newswire which give you a free press release every six months or so. I got great global coverage and some cool connections such as Premo Guard who offer some fantastic poultry sprays and share my enthusiasm for
- Follow Up: Should you nag journalists? I’d say not. Use social media instead. Some experts suggest waiting a week or two and then sending a brief email reminding them of your press release and why it’s relevant, but in my view, why bother? If one door doesn’t open, find another one!
“The adjective hasn’t been built that can pull a weak or inaccurate noun out of a tight place.” – William Strunk and E.B. White, Elements of Style.
- Adapted from Splash It!