UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

Does anybody have any experience of press release distribution services?

I've tried pitching a story to reporters direct, but I'm being largely ignored and can't give up the time to keep doing it that way. So am considering using a press release distribution service.

Does anybody know much about them?

I've read articles that say they're worth it, but you have to invest in a decent pay-for services and other articles that say they're a waste of time.

Just gonna pop a link to this in the morning thread.

Thanks.

I feel your pain Rosen, as I have the same problem/response.

Hi Rosen. I've never used it, but the Press Association operates a release distribution service. Bearing in mind that many newspapers/magazines buy their book content (new releases, reviews, comment) from the PA, they should at least be able to send a release to the most effective contact point at each publication.
http://www.pressassociation.com/Busin...

Thank you very much Barry.

It seems PA doesn't distribute directly put they recommend a variety of partners who do.

Okay. Now that I've realised I need a distribution package that sends to PA, it's really narrowed down the options. Thanks.

My friend, a former journalist used to do mine in the early day, I don't tend to do them now, not sure why. Here's a few links for you, Rosen.

http://free-press-release.com/

http://www.freepressrelease.com/

http://www.epressreleasesite.com/

Hey,

Thanks Mel. In the end I used a 'pay for' service. Press Association distribution doesn't seem to be available from the free ones. I'll see how SourceWire pans out and perhaps give your recommendations a try further down the line.

Rosen

No problem, Rosen. :-)

I would be interested how you get on Rosen?

I am planning to write up my experiences but haven't got around to it.

In short, don't rush out and pay for a press release. You can make a much bigger impact using free forms of promotion.

Rosen wrote: "In short, don't rush out and pay for a press release. You can make a much bigger impact using free forms of promotion."

I am coming more and more around to the idea that most - if not all - forms of promotion fail and are sometimes even counter-productive (like, for example, as we all know continually shouting about your book on social media is a sure way to lose followers).

I am - mainly because I used to do news satire on my blog a while ago - seemingly on some PR release lists. I know that I - like nearly everyone else I know who gets them - file such releases straight into junk without even reading them.

The best promotion remains word of mouth.

For example: A couple of weeks ago my wife asked what I was reading that made me laugh so much. When I told her, she was eager to read My Granny Writes Erotica which she thought was hysterically funny. So when others ask us what books we've read lately & would recommend, you know what is going to be on that list.

Completely agree with you on word of mouth, David.

And the last thing an author wants to do is put off a reader from recommending their book by improperly using social media.

Unfortunately, it's hard to define improper use of social media, I think.

Tweeting about your book...is once a day too often? Once a week? Once a month?

It's all a crapshoot...

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Completely agree with you on word of mouth, David.

Unfortunately, it's hard to define improper use of social media, I think.

Tweeting about your book...is once a day too often? Once a week? Once a month?"

I think the question for the writer to ask themselves is how often does someone else tweeting their book piss me off and make me want to stop following them, and then do it less than that.

Me, I only mention my books when they are released and when they are on offer, and then once only.

I quite like hearing news about my fave author's books though.

Like if they've made a best seller list or a good review or what-not.

I often share that sort of post with reader friends on Facebook who I think would enjoy the book.

Patti (baconater) wrote: "I quite like hearing news about my fave author's books though.

Like if they've made a best seller list or a good review or what-not.

I often share that sort of post with reader friends on Faceboo..."

That is different though, isn't it? That is more about engagement, chat, conversation or whatever.

It is not a series of, say, identical tweets every few hours or so yelling a book title at you, or an arbitrary and irrelevant link to a book thrown in at the bottom of an unconnected post.

*Resists temptation to place link to own book here as a 'humorous' illustration of what not to do.*

I'm a good boy.

Have a cookie, David.

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Have a cookie, David."

Only one?

I'm much gooder than that.

David wrote: "For example: A couple of weeks ago my wife asked what I was reading that made me laugh so much. When I told her, she was eager to read My Granny Writes Erotica which she thought was hysterically funny. So when others ask us what books we've read lately & would recommend, you know what is going to be on that list. "

(Blushing) thank you!

I've been recommending it and I've not even read it yet Rosen. ;)
got several friends who are big fans. they mither me to tell them when you release books. x

Ooh! Thank you! (Makes sure Patti is on Christmas Card list...)

I'd rather be on your Christmas bacon list. ;)

Patti (baconater) wrote: "I'd rather be on your Christmas bacon list. ;)"

Perhaps it is time for a religion that worships bacon.

Ha!

http://unitedchurchofbacon.com/

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Ha!

http://unitedchurchofbacon.com/"

Truly the bacon walks amongst us.

Rosen wrote: "I am planning to write up my experiences but haven't got around to it.

In short, don't rush out and pay for a press release. You can make a much bigger impact using free forms of promotion."


Yeah, I don't tend to bother now! I used to create one at the beginning with every new release, but now my social media channels have increased enough that the word spreads easier. :-)