I’m thrilled with the education in publicity that Rusty and Katie are providing to my blog readers. I have to say that after peeking at Rusty’s planned post for Friday, I am blown away by how much I’m learning about social media and social networking from his post and the articles he links to.
You’re in for an education!
Due to technical challenges on my end, I am withholding Thursday’s post for a couple of hours until we get the formatting to look right (thanks to Katie’s HTML expertise). In the meantime, I thought I’d post a bit about my experience with Phenix & Phenix, how I came to invite them to guest post on the blog, and a bit more about the company, since many of you had questions.
When my co-authors and I were searching for a publicity firm for our book, The Ultimate Guide to Transforming Anger, Phenix & Phenix appeared at the top of the list of firms that our publisher, Health Communications , gave us. I contacted half a dozen firms and noticed that many sent us boiler plate proposals that often included the names of other books (rather than ours) throughout the proposal, by accident. I figured that if they gave us that little attention before they got our business, what on earth could we expect when we handed over our retainer.
Phenix & Phenix was different from the start. The team read our book and the proposal included a thought-out strategy. It was clear that they cared about the book and thought they could promote it well. I also contacted a number of their clients to get references and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Phenix & Phenix got us publicity on CNN, MSNBC, PBS-TV, ESPN Radio and in USA Weekend, Glamour, the New York Post, the Chicago Tribune, Fitness and the Washington Post and in dozens of other local papers and local radio.
I enjoyed working with the team immensely. We kept in touch and they even sent us additional opportunities once the campaign ended.
One of my friends is a former publicist from a big house. She said she was told to promote the big name books and not put much energy into her other authors/books. If her boss had caught her talking on the phone to one of her “unknown” authors, she would have gotten fired. While not all publicity houses operate that way, I realized from my friend’s story that one needs to be very careful not to throw their money away on the wrong publicity firm.
Clearly, my experience with Phenix & Phenix wasn’t like that at all. If we had an issue, we brought it to them and they resolved it. No one got in troublefor talking to us!
I continue to reap rewards from publicity that Phenix & Phenix got for us several years ago. When I trace back the opportunities that came out of it, I can say without hesitation that it was the best investment in my career that I ever made. And, yes, I said ever. I am a true fan.
If you want to find out more about Phenix & Phenix and their services, check out some of their case studies.
My book is about how my family was determined to find my brother-in-law after he went missing on a 51 foot fishing boat and how he made it back home. The only thing is that he came back home through the veil and brought us a message that changed lives and made even the most sceptical of us believe.
The context of the book is the fishing industry and as I wrote the book, I began to understand how difficult life is getting for New England fishermen and how the present state of government regulations is forcing them to endanger themselves on many levels. Since I started investigating, I have realized that it is the fishermen in New England who are the endangered species. The issue is so sad and has been appearing more and more in the local newspapers. Some fishermen are being prosecuted and are facing 30 days of jail time because they can’t afford to keep up their boats in New Bedford.
My question is this… Do I follow up on the fishing industry and the contacts I have been making there even though my readers will most likely be the types who go directly to the New Age or Spiritual section of bookstores?
I had considered putting together a newspaper or magazine 3-part series of stories and contacts I have gathered as not only a way of giving a voice to people who are in dire circumstances, but also as a way to promote my book. There are some possible leads with SO RI and maybe even Yankee Magazine. I have decided that a percentage of the proceeds of the book will go to lobbying efforts for these folks.
Or would that be detracting from the true focus of the book?
Michele,
First, I am so happy to have met you a week ago–I look forward to working with you to move forward. This is a special book!
Your book will have a core readership, but it will appeal to a number of audiences. One thing about PR is that you do want to pitch all the different angles you can unless you really think the audience of that media outlet won’t translate at all for your book and it won’t help you in any way. The angles you’re speaking of all seem to me to be ones that will reach potential readers. I’d say be strategic and put the majority of your effort into your core audience, but definitely capitalize on what’s newsworthy and pursue the avenues you mention above.
Is that helpful?
Anyone at P&P have further advice for Michele?
What a nice and very professional testimony to the work Phenix & Phenix did for you, Lisa! I think we need to remember those that do a good job too. Thank you. I appreciated learning about your experience.
Angie
PR Officer ACFW
Note, While Phenix and Phenix Literary Publicists are no longer around, Rusty Shelton has gone on to start http://www.sheltoninteractive.com which specializes in digital media for authors. Shelton Interactive has helped many books join the top bestseller lists (such as New York Times).