Once you've completed and published your book, the next step involves exploring book marketing services. They are crucial for connecting your book with readers. An essential aspect of this journey is author publicity, as sales tend to increase when readers can easily associate a book with its author. Just as businesses establish brand names for their products, authors must also cultivate a personal brand. This branding reflects readers' thoughts and feelings about an author, ultimately influencing their purchasing decisions. Author promotion encompasses various strategies, such as book marketing. 

The initial phase involves identifying your target audience and determining which media outlets will effectively reach them. From there, you can develop a focused marketing plan to promote you and your book. Your positioning will depend on factors like your expertise, your current recognition, and the subject matter of your book. Since no single strategy suits every author, personalizing your approach is vital. Additionally, you'll need to create different pitching angles for media that align with your marketing objectives and resonate with your target readers and spark their interest.

Building personal connections with media professionals is a key component of author promotion. Favorable media coverage from local and national outlets can establish you as a thought leader in your field. This media attention often increases online buzz about you and your book. It may be beneficial for new authors to start with smaller, local media outlets and work their way up to larger platforms. Beginning media pitches could target local news sources, including radio stations, newspapers, and their online versions. Local TV and city magazines can also be effective channels. 

Another important consideration is whether to handle your author promotion independently or engage a professional book marketing firm. Hiring experienced professionals can be advantageous if your budget permits, as they often have pre-existing relationships with media outlets. These publicists bring a wealth of knowledge and resources tailored to effectively promote authors and their works. While increasing book sales is a primary goal, many other important factors contribute to success. It's worth noting that established authors can produce multiple successful titles throughout their careers.