Thursday, May 10, 2012

Let's Ask - Question # 5

Today is week five of my new series Let's Ask which will be featured every Thursday on my blog. Lately, I've had so many unanswered questions about getting published and marketing children's books I thought why not just ask the experts one question per week and then share their knowledge of the business with us. *Experts = most likely a friend/acquaintance with experience writing children's books or publishing them.

This week's Let's Ask question is for Bethany Telles
(see below for her bio info):

Bethany Telles


My question for Bethany:

     Why do you think it is important for a writer to have social media connections? Could you share your experience with being interviewed by multiple broadcasting stations about your book and how you went about getting the interviews?


Bethany writes:

     Alright, first things first: I believe social media connections- if done correctly- are important because that's the way this world operates these days. It's sad to say, but times are changing and fast pace is as fast pace does. If you have any social media outlet, it allows for others to notice you at their leisure. I have seen many writers showcasing their talent/writing abilities through their blogs (like this one!). Your audience gets the chance to know you, the writer, and that connection might encourage future sales, reviews, and word-of-mouth recommendations.

     Now let me share my experiences with the wonderful world of media!

     During the MeeGenius Author Challenge, I tried my best to reach as many people as possible in order to get votes. I come from a relatively small town, so I knew that my best chance of spreading the word about my involvement would be getting on TV and radio, as well as sharing with one of the local newspapers. First, I contacted people that I knew personally, that ran radio broadcasts. As lame as it is, it truly IS all about the people you know. I sucked it up, and drove through my usual boundaries and asked for help. I loathe asking for help! And I'm quite shy when it comes to my writing. But all it took was me asking, and it blew my mind how eager those contacts were to help me! Then, I sent out an email (carefully written for each specific station and paper), and was fortunate enough to get some great feedback from 85% of the people I queried. What I really had to understand (and I believe this is something we ALL need to learn) is that you are not only trying to sell YOUR project, but you're also helping them sell theirs. I put it this way- and still do when I contact other bloggers- I have an already established audience, so if you allow me to come and share my own (insert whatever-it-is, HERE), then I can promise that you will get a good sized influx of new people checking out what YOU have.
    When it came to TV and radio, their major battle is ratings and competition. So, I used my querying skills, and delicately mentioned in each email to each station that I was contacting EVERY station that our little town has. Truth be told, yes, I had an interesting story: Here's a teeny school, suffering from budget cuts and here's the former student/aspiring children's book author who's trying to help AND give back. But, the selling point for them was also the who's-going-to-get-the-story-FIRST. It worked. I landed two of the three major news stations (one that aired more than once, and the other was our highly rated FOX Great Day morning show). When it came to radio, both stations I landed put my story on repeat, and aired it several times a day for over a week. Then the newspaper that belonged to the town that housed the school, called me for an interview.

    It was a great experience. I really learned that you MUST play to your audience, but you also MUST know the selling points of the specific medias you are wishing to grant you air time. So, much like researching agents or different houses for your manuscripts, do your homework! Remember that you have an important brand to sell... YOU! And your books, articles, blog, etc. are all a very large part of you. Pull out your inner publicist, and don't be shy!

Bethany's Bio:
I think you know everything about me... Wife to a man who has a job that I can't talk about, Mom of 2 crazy boys, living in the armpit of CA, Freelance writer for local school district paper, author of the book with the longest title ever (HA!), tea drinker, the only person who has a serious case of balloon phobia, and anti-fan of chocolate.
Bethany's blog: http://perchedinblogspot.com/atree.
Her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/BethanyJTelles

Thank you for your visit today!

17 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your experience Bethany. I heard a writer speak at a recent conference and he pointed out that "he was us." Instead of using social media, he went to the library and searched for media outlets to contact. It's always inspiring to hear how others do it.

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    1. I wish I had that kind of time on my hands! Thanks for stopping by, Stacy!

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  2. Jen and Bethany, this is very helpful. Having worked in PR and newspapers, the story you've crafted for media outlets -- local author helping to save local school -- is a powerful and newsworthy one. For many local papers, getting published is newsworthy. Events, if well crafted, can be newsworthy. Also, if you can tie into national themes, like school budget cuts, that also can make a story newsworthy.

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    1. Oh yes, I used the budget cuts issue big time, too. The school I was trying to win for HAD fallen on hard times. I think if you really take a good look at what your story is about, often you'll find common themes that media outlets, of all sorts, will be able to utilize.

      Thanks so much!

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  3. Great job tackling a timely question, Bethany. I'm a relative newbie to the social media concept but can see already how important it is. One thing I like about is the feeling of being connected and part of the kidlit conversation. Well done!

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    1. Thank you!! And welcome to the social media explosion! It is nice being able to have the world at your fingertips, and to be able to surround yourself with like-minded people. Nice to "meet" you!

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  4. Wow Bethany! You are an inspiration x5!
    Beyond Ponder: the Bethany Telles Story!
    Thanks Jen for the post!

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    1. Oh Julie, you actually made me laugh really hard right now! Hahaha! Thanks so much... You're the best!

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  5. Thank you Bethany for sharing your thoughts on social media and PR! I admired your efforts during the MeeGenius contest -- and they certainly paid off!

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  6. Thanks Jennifer and Bethany! I am struggling with this social media for purposes of promotion right now as well. I want to make GENUINE connections with people, not just try to sell them something. But those connections take an investment of time that sometimes is hard to come by. The real-deal media is something I haven't even given a second thought to...yet. I am sure it is coming around the bend and I will be calling upon Bethany's experience when it is time. Thank you, ladies!

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    1. I'm proud of you, Amy!! You're doing a great job! If you need any help at all, you've got my number. I still have email addresses and stuff for our local area. But in the meantime, your author page looks great!!!

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    2. Thank you Amy! I feel the same way at times with promoting. I appreciate your input and thank you for dropping by.

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  7. Thank you so much for having me on here, Jen!!! Your blog is becoming something to marvel at, so I am completely honored to be a part of it for such a wonderful question!

    You're the best!!

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    1. You're welcome Bethany! Thank you so much for all your help and advice. Also, you are too kind saying that about my blog. *Big smile*

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  8. Knowing how to craft a pitch for advertisement takes special skills and I'm glad I got an insider's view on how to go about getting things done. I'm glad you shared that you're shy and hate asking for help. You stepped over that and created something amazing and provided us with a classroom of sorts, today! Greatly appreciate this. Here's to Jen and Bethany! Wonderfully done, ladies! Thank you.

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    1. Wow! Thank YOU, Pam! Such nice compliments... Glad I could be of any use!

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