The State of the Art in Book PR Tours

In the current landscape, book tours have restarted, with virtual appearances still widely embraced and offering great opportunities. If you're organizing a book promotion campaign, incorporating virtual stops is a good idea. Making it possible for fans and the media to connect with you either in person or through local (or regional) media is a smart move. This strategy helps your book gain visibility and also boosts your personal presence. Before the pandemic, many platforms were hesitant about virtual appearances, but the situation changed when it became necessary, and now it's become a permanent feature. 

For authors, this approach has saved time and money. A recent addition to book tours is the inclusion of international stops, largely due to the rise of virtual appearances. Formerly, international travel was costly and time-intensive. Both of these concerns are completely eliminated with virtual stops. The same applies to social media and other online opportunities with a broad international reach. It opens up new markets for authors and helps promote books globally, with the same level of investment in time and cost as in a single country. If you're a multilingual author, this may be even more beneficial. 

Virtual tour stops can involve a brief talk or presentation at the start, just like in-person appearances. The same visuals and materials that you might use in person can be utilized virtually, providing the same value in either scenario. Author presentations should be engaging or offer useful information. When you achieve this, fans and the media take note, generating interest in your book. Building relationships is also a key objective, and while in-person interaction is preferable, there are still opportunities to establish rapport online. You can gauge the audience's interests. And ensure you appeal to them.

An increasing number of authors today are working with media coaches to enhance their presentation skills. It starts with preparation for TV and video interviews, but the newfound skills also apply to in-person and virtual appearances. Body language and how you convey information play a big role in ensuring that it is well received. As your confidence grows, you'll become more at ease and be yourself. Both fans and the media will observe your comfort and view you as more genuine and relatable. All of these elements contribute to promoting your book and building your author brand for the long term.