Are you often confused about which business you need to engage in publishing, marketing and providing public relations for your book?

Some businesses offer a one-stop shop while others will work in a specific area.

At this stage, my business’s focus is publishing books and collaborating with other businesses to support the marketing and public relations for the author.

There are many different factors to consider across these three areas. It can work well if you find a good team that will assist in a collaborative way.

Where do you start?

This will depend on where you are at with your overall business journey.

Consider the following questions:
1. Is your branding is up to date?
2. Do you have professional headshot photos?
3. Do you have marketing flyers and media kits?

What are your answers?

If, you answer ‘yes’ to all the above, you are well on the way to understanding the design and layout of your book. You have the structure for how your book should look, feel and sound.

If, you answered ‘no’, to one or more, you need to spend some time and/or money to lay a good foundation for your book.

You need to make a list to action.

Suggest that you consider these three as a start, if you are looking for ideas:

1. Arrange professional photos

2. Gather content around your public image

3. Understand and determine what you want for your brand. Think colours and logo.

Action what you need to do from this list before you become too caught up in your book preparations.

You want to keep the experience for your users consistent.

Think about how you use colour, logo and your headshot. These can creates a sense of familiarity with your customers and prospects.

Be mindful that your professional photos are not over Photoshopped. It is a very confusing experience for prospects and customers when your photo has you with no wrinkles and black hair, and then you turn up with wrinkles and grey hair! This is likely to create distrust in the relationship.

Your professional photo needs to be true to who you are today.

As a rule of thumb, update your image every two years, or if you have a dramatic change in your image, then immediately.

Ensure you update new details on all of your social media platforms.

So, where are you starting? What items do you need to tick off the list?

Do you need to tidy up your marketing and public relations or can you deep dive into your book publishing?

Make a decision. Get it Done.