So You Have a Published Book, Now How Do You Get On Oprah?

The million dollar question is, how do I get on Oprah and expose my book to the millions of viewers who watch her program? Believe it or not, there are people are actually make a living, and a very good one, coaching those whose goal is to appear on Oprah seeking fame and fortune. Susan Harrow, author of The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah: Ten Steps to Becoming a Guest on the World's Top Talk Show has had several clients appear on the show. There is an entire industry dedicated to getting on a television show. That is how important a visit on the Oprah Winfrey Show can be.

First, get familiar with the show and Oprah's web site. If you go the site, she tells you what subjects they are interested in covering. Now, there is a great start. If your subject of expertise is listed you have an advantage. Send a short summary to the producer, via email, be very accommodating regarding scheduling, as if you wouldn't be, and you may get a reply. If your area of expertise is not listed, check the list frequently, but if it is not, you will take a different route, I am assuming you know everything there is to know about Oprah, including her likes and dislikes. You will need a hook, or pitch to grab their attention. They get hundreds of packages per day, so follow their procedures and be brief, but informative. You will send a package with a one page description of your concept, a copy of your book and a tape of you from a previous talk show appearance or presentation. If you don't have a tape you need to get booked on local talk shows and send that. And then its a waiting game for the phone call. In the meantime book yourself on as much television and radio, as you can to build your credentials.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

Chasing Oprah

Who hasn't written a book over the past decade and more, that hasn't dreamed of appearing on Oprah and her book list. It is estimated that a single appearance on her show can generate 30,000 sales that day, and sales will continue for a few days after, declining rapidly each day but still maintaining huge profits. The Oprah phenomenon of course, doesn't just apply to book sales and authors, but her book club does seem to be the holy grail for many authors. Getting on the show  can be a long and stressful process. One company tried for seven years, finally made it on and sales went through the roof that same day, and yes, of course it was well worth the effort. To get on you need to follow the process they have designed, do not stray from their recommended procedure, any excuse could get you thrown out, and you cant really blame them. Imagine how many inquiries they get daily. When chasing Oprah, whether its a book or another type of product, think about the audience. Are Oprah viewers your target market? Will they be the eventual purchasers of your product? If not, quit chasing Oprah. I have a dear friend who is a wonderful portrait artist. He believes if he gets on Oprah all his financial woes will disappear. He is very wrong. How many of Oprah's fans and her viewing audience will pay $50,000 for a portrait. Even though her audience is huge, they are not his target market. 

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

How Important is a Media Kit for an Author Promoting Their Book

How important is a Media Kit? Without a professional looking media kit and without the right contents an author has very little chance of ever reaching their desired goals of appearing on media outlets, impressing corporations or seeking speaking engagements. Its always the content that counts, but the content must be wrapped in a pretty package. Some media representatives may prefer a short query prior to sending the media kit. Even, so you must have the kit ready for the next step which will close the deal. Now, what comprises the media kit? They can be many different shapes and sizes and clever concepts, but what works best is getting to the "deciders" what they want. It needs to be easily filed and fit their system. If not, it will most likely end up in the round file (the trash can). Very simply, here are the pieces you will need. A 9x12 pocket presentation folder that will hold the inserts. The inserts (8.5x11) are: the press release, photo, bio, approximately 10 questions for media to ask you, plus a list of media you have appeared on already, and testimonials. These are the six recommended inserts. Since you have pockets in your folder you can add reviews, the cover of the book and even a dvd of an appearance you made. Put all the inserts in the pockets, add your business card to the pocket slits, place in a 10x13 envelope, or a priority usps box and ship it. 

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

Tweens - Children Between the Ages of 9 and 14 are a Buying Poerhouse. How Do You Market to This Group of Kids

Tweens are a buying powerhouse. Perhaps unexpected because they are too young to enter the work force, tweens or tweeners do have dollars to spend and also influence the family's purchasing decision, more than any other age group.

Tween purchasing power is staggering. There are over 21 million of them in the United States and they spend over $43 billion per year. In this digital world we live how do we market to them? Lets take a look at their daily habits. This is the percentage of tweens who spend at least an hour per day at these activities - Online: 83%, Watching TV: 68%, Radio Listening: 29%, Reading magazines: 10%, and Reading Newspapers: 5%. What are their purchasing habits? Among their top purchasing items are makeup and cosmetics, then electronics of course, clothing, and then books. They get their money from allowances or their parents simply supply the money for their purchases. They are greatly influenced by their peers and their purchases. There are 40,000 alpha tweens that directly influence the purchases of 15 to 20 other tweens. They do like passing on information on products to their peers. 

Even though they live in a digital world, they do like receiving traditional mail. Since they spend a great deal of time on the Internet and watching television it is logical that to reach them online and media advertising is still extremely vital when trying to reach the tween market. An integrated marketing plan with numerous touch points, including venue events, in store promotions, point of purchase and media tie-ins is also logical approach to reaching the tween market. Market where they are. They are very brand conscious, and word of mouth is huge. 60% find out about a product through word of mouth.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

When Marketing Children's Books Who Do You Target?

When marketing a book for children who do you market  to? Does the age group of the reading audience reflect how and to whom the book is marketed? What are the target market groups for children's groups? 

There are three groups to market to for children's books, parents, grandparents and the kids. The age group of the book's readers will determine how the marketing pie is divided. Grandparents are an interesting group to market to for children's books. They purchase 4 out of every 10 books. There will be an estimated 80 million grandparents in 2010. The average age of a first time grandparent is 47 years old. 70% of older people are grandparents. They are 25% of the population, and hold 50% of its wealth. 70% purchase products via the Internet and 80% characterize their grandchildren as their top priority. For the most part grandparents today are the baby boomers. They may be an untapped source for book purchasing. The parents of course are an important market. They purchase more books for the kids than any other group. However, during challenging economic times, they are purchasing fewer books and searching harder for book discounts and savings. They have a large influence in the type of books children read, and as the child gets older, they are more and more influenced by the children who have acquired likes and dislikes in their reading choices. By the time the child is a tween, ages 9-13 they decide which books they want mom and dad, or grandpa and grandma to purchase. In general this age group has more buying influence for the family than any other group.

So who do you target? All three groups are very important - The majority of dollars spent trying to reach these three groups depends on the age of the readers. The older the reader, the more the dollars should go to the readers.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

How Important is Target Marketing a New Book? What About Children's Books?

Target marketing a new book is just as important as target marketing any other product. It is essential to any marketing campaign to first identify your market. The second thing you must do is figure out how to reach the market with the most cost effective, yet effective plan. By narrowing your market, you will not waist dollars on attempting to reach a market that doesn't exist. The market for Children's books is a very interesting market to reach. Who reads the books is not necessarily who decides on the what books are purchased. The decision making process for each age group is different. The adult influence decreases as the child gets older and is reading more advanced books. There are typically four groups of children's books, thus four sets of dynamics that make up the purchasing decision. The decision regarding baby's first books, ages 0-2 is strictly an adult decision, including parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends. Adults cant go wrong with the Pokey Little Puppy. With the next age group 3-5, the child will start to show preferences, so their input is starting to get noticed. Still the same adult group is responsible for the purchases. Adults are comfortable with the Dr. Seuss books as gifts. Things start to change with the next group, ages 6-8, as chapter books become popular and young readers are starting to follow certain authors and will desire to stick with a series. Their influence now is very apparent and they make the majority of the book buying decisions. The age group of the tween is the 9-12 age group and they make the decision, and the adults just need to nod approval. For this group it is very hard for the parents or grandparents to purchase a book without input from the child. 

So who gets targeted for the book purchases, the kids? the parents? the grandparents? Do they all get targeted? As you can see from the purchasing power and how it evolves, each age group needs to be targeted directly.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

Should an Author Be Selective with the Media and Go On Everything?

Should an author be selective with the media and go on everything? The answer to that question is almost, definitely yes, unless of course it is a fringe hate group sponsored event or show. The truth is every set of ears and eyes you do want to reach. Whether its Oprah, or an Internet radio show, or local programming, it is all good. It is all word of mouth. I am a big believer in "Being Out There", because being out there leads to more being out theres. Here is a case in point. Author Dr. Molly Barrow last month, was on Fox TV - There she met a wonderful woman, who is also an author, and has her own radio show on blogtalk radio, Inez Bracy. The two authors have a lot to share, and yesterday Dr. Barrow appeared on Inez's radio program. For an hour Inez interviewed Dr. Barrow about her new book, Malia & Teacup, Awesome African Adventure, a children's adventure book that teaches self esteem to ages 9 and up, and other psychological topics as well. With callers phoning in and asking questions and comments after the show Inez received, the overall experience for Dr. Barrow was very positive. How many people did she reach? Not many, but the exposure may lead to something else, and the word of mouth is again a huge reason to "Be Out There." When you participate in a media event you never know who is listening. This is a good thing.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

The Balloon Boy Hoax - A Missed Opportunity to Perhaps the Greatest Marketing Opportunity Ever

With millions tuned in worldwide, viewers were transfixed last week to their television or computer screens to  the possibility that a little boy was hidden within a Mylar looking, home made "flying thing" that was flying uncontrollably along the Colorado terrain, up to 6,000 ft. high. What was missed with this story that the media covered non stop for hours was the opportunity the perpetrators lost in advertising revenues. It appears as I write this that the parents, and it seems the father may be the gang leader of this ruthless bunch of promoters, were involved in a hoax to better the family's chances of securing a reality show gig. Crazier things have been done to get noticed for a TV appearance, do you remember Monte Hall?

As this silver, mushroom shaped balloon sliced its way across the Colorado sky and into millions of living rooms and offices it was apparent a huge marketing opportunity was lost, as everyone watched the balloon and the supposed hidden traveler via helicopter camera for hours. If the father was doing this stunt for the money, he blew a golden opportunity. When you consider the hundreds of millions of dollars a company spends on advertising, do they ever get an opportunity to be exposed on international media for two or more hours. Imagine if the father had sold advertising rights to, lets say, McDonalds to imprint their logo on the balloon. For two solid hours Americans and concerned world citizens who were genuinely frightened for the little boy would have been staring at a silver balloon with golden arches for two hours. What exposure, and what would McDonalds have paid for their golden arches to be sailing across the Colorado sky while millions were glued to their media screens.

How important is the power of the media? As a publishing and book marketing company, we understand the value of media exposure. Good or bad the value of being seen by millions is every marketers goal. There could have been some McDonalds backlash, but by then it would have been too late. The damage, or should I say the marketing would have been done. Lets keep a lookout for a copycat marketing stunt, but this time they may just take advantage of the opportunity. Perhaps we will see an ad for balloon mortgages or Colorado tourism, or even flying lessons.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

Hans Christian Andersen's Kite Flying Was a Precursor to the Internet

Steve Weber, in his book, Plug Your Book, tells a story of how Hans Christian Andersen would alert the townspeople of his 17th century Danish town that he had a new tale to spin. Every time Andersen was ready to tell a new story he would signal the townspeople, specifically the children by flying a kite. When the kite was seen, word spread and they would gather to hear another Andersen tale. Centuries later, nothing has really changed. We are in a way still flying kites to get the word out that we have something to say. The Internet can be seen as a big kite. It is not the only way to be heard, it is a piece of the pie, but word, just like in Andersen's village spreads very fast. Word of mouth spread the word that a new story was to be told by Hans Christian Andersen, such as the Internet serves the same word of mouth experience today. Going viral is not a new concept. It is an expanded kite. The Internet is more powerful because instead of reaching just dozens of people in a small Danish town, it reaches millions all over the world. Andersen's social networking kite flying was certainly a precursor to the social networking and communities of the Internet.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

Book Makeovers - Many Previously Published Books, Self Published or Conventionally Published Need a Makeover

A Makeover for a book? Indeed many books are just going nowhere. No sales, no recognition, no anything. There can be many reasons why a book isn't selling. Wrong book, wrong time, poorly written, no exposure, or perhaps a very bad appearance. The title could be wrong. The cutest title in the world may be a very bad choice for your book. How about the type style or size of the font? Does it fit the title and subject of the book? What about the graphics, photographs or illustrations? Do they represent the message of the book? How important is color, is that sending the right message?

We react to stimuli based on two things, our genetics and our experiences, science and art. It is that combination that can make a book cover intriguing or not. Not everyone will react the same way, it is very subjective, which is why we must target our "book look" to our target market. The back cover must convey a broader message. If the cover is the hook to lure the reader in, the back is the closing argument. Many back covers just do not close the deal. They wander off at times and do not stay on message, and can be graphically disturbing. Sometimes too much information can be a distraction and detract from your message. The makeover of a back can prove to be the difference in many instances of a book making an impression, getting recognition and improving sales. Why do people get makeovers? The same reason a book may need a makeover...to look better and present a strong, confident appearance.

Barringer Publishing is currently doing a makeover on Dr. Molly Barrow's first relationship book. Dr. Barrow has just released two new children's books and wanted her previous book for singles and couples to have a more updated and better appearance. She felt the cover, back cover and the inside layout, her previous publisher had designed was not what she had hoped it would be. Barringer is currently working on the revised book, which should be launched in early November.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting children's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to js@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146

You Certainly Can Tell a Book By Its Cover

How important is the cover design? What about the back cover and even the spine. There are a few things you must do. They may seem obvious but it is surprising to see published books not following some very simple and basic concepts. First the title must be easy to read. It must be large and with a user friendly typestyle. The title can suggest something about the book or just be a pleasing to the eye font. If a photo is used, be sure it is professionally taken and works with the title and genre of the book. You have six seconds to capture them with the cover so be sure your message is easily recognized within those precious few seconds. The spine has to be readable. That is a simple one. The title font has to be large enough to recognize the title name.  The back cover is the clincher and needs to close the deal, so please do not have run on white text on a black background. And be sure the cover, spine and back cover have a consistent feel and look. The cover should not look like it is a different book than the back cover. Consistency is good. You have 15 seconds to convince them to purhase the book. Be bold, be concise and give them information.

Check out the book cover, spine and back cover of Barringer Publishing's new release, Malia & Teacup, Awesome African Adventure by Dr. Molly Barrow and see how the covers were designed. They tell a story, they are graphically attractive and give the prospective buyer just enough information to pique their interest.

Barringer Publishing has launched two new exciting chldren's  books by Dr. Molly Barrow. The reviews are coming in - "These are the kinds of books that parents and teachers as well as kids, have been seeking."

For more information regarding Dr. Barrow and her book, Malia & Teacup - Awesome African Adventure please visit www.drmollybarrow.com and www.maliaandteacup.com.

Barringer Publishing is a full service publishing house, offering cover and inside book design, editing and printing services, Web site design, graphics, illustrations, public relations and marketing for new books.Barringer Publishing is a subsidiary of Schlesinger Advertising & Marketing, a complete service marketing agency since 1986. For more information please visit www.barringerpublishing.com, email to info@barringerpublishing.com or call 239-262-1146