There are three organizational
strategies you can start using right away to help you get
off to a great start promoting your book.
* First, before you do anything else, I suggest that you
sign up for plenty of good newsletters like the one you’ll
find at http://bookpromotionnewsletter.com
Do a Google search and find web sites and e-zines for
writers. Devour them and learn all you can from them.
* Secondly, create a database. I found this to be
essential (because my memory doesn't work well, but my
forgetter works great). Make a list of magazines, radio talk
shows, or television shows you'd like to contact.
Start small, with local TV stations and radio hosts.
Going straight for Oprah or Dr. Phil will be a waste of your
time. You need to hit all the small bases and work
your way up. Keep track of everyone you contact (or
want to contact eventually) for publicity. When you follow
up with them or they interview you, put that information in
your records for future reference. As you have contact with
more and more people, it will become difficult to remember
what you’ve talked about with whom. With a database, you
can quickly look up the name of a media contact or web site
and see if you’ve sent them something or spoken with them.
* I set up a file card system in a little box I keep on
my desk. I divided it by months of the year. When I read
about or get an idea for promoting the book, I write the
details on an index card and file it under the month during
which I should work on it. For example, my book title is
