Guest Post by Brian Feinblum

One look at the headlines making the news and you would see the best way to make the news is to commit a crime. So how do you compete with that – as well as all the ink given to celebrities, the weather, sports, terrorism, and the latest movie?

Here are five ways to stand out with killer book publicity:

1. Tie your book’s message to the things that are making news. Can you comment on the latest court case? Well if you’re an expert on parenting, celebrities, law, social services, or child abuse, you can get media coverage talking about some aspect of the case against Michael Jackson’s doc – even if your book never discusses the case.

2. Anticipate the news. Check your calendar and look to see what holidays are coming up. Memorial Day means war, security, international relations, death, history, etc. Father’s Day means dads, grandfathers, parenting, family, etc. Can you speak on those topics?

How about the seasons? Summer means stories about travel, camp, droughts, picnics, West Nile, baseball, etc. Think of how your message ties into a holiday, a season, or an honorary day, week or month (i.e., February is Black History Month, March is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and April is National Autism Month).

3. Make news with the results of your research, surveys, interviews with important people in your book, or the uncovering of hidden facts. Even if your book lacks original earth-shattering news, perhaps you can create a poll of 500 people on your subject and then report those results.

4. Give out news we can use. If you can shed light on the newest treatments for a disease, provide effective parenting strategies, or tell us the three smartest ways to save for retirement, people will listen.

5. Raise an issue or ask a question. For instance, declare something interesting or controversial. Should pets be allowed to sue for health care? Should we eliminate the presidency and instead have three co-presidents? Should there be a legal limit on how much someone can weigh? Should people who have cosmetic surgery be forced to disclose this to the people they date?

So, there are many legitimate ways to make the news for honest people like you. Or, if you must, just simply commit a crime and I guarantee that you’ll be on the evening news. And then you might go to jail. And then you can write a book – and promote it.

– Brian Feinblum, the chief marketing officer for Planned Television Arts, has been promoting and marketing authors since 1989. Pick up the phone and call: 212-583-2718. Email: feinblumb@plannedtvarts.com. Web: http://www.plannedtvarts.com. Brian’s new blog can be found at http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com.

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