The book industry is like any other in the sense that selling and marketing your product — and, in essence, yourself — can often be the toughest part.
If you’re a unknown author working with a small publishing house (or self-publishing), partnering up with a brand that has a large following could help boost sales and get your name in the press. We got the scoop from several branding experts on how to choose the right partner:
Think outside the box and team up with a brand, retailer or expert who supplements your area of expertise. If you just wrote a book about the benefits of Pilates and the barre method, [Beth Feldman, co-founder of BeyondPR Group] suggests teaming up with Lululemon to do a book signing at their store or build a 10-city tour to appear in their stores and then promote yourself to local media. This begins with concocting a well-crafted strategy to share why you would add value to them via media exposure.
To learn more, including how to build a local following, read: How To Be Your Own Publicist.
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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
Smart Poodle Publishing subscribes to Role Mommy’s informative newsletter, which links back to the website - one of my absolute favorites. This is a terrific place for busy moms everywhere to stay informed about all things that might interest them. The mission of Role Mommy is “Helping your children realize their hopes and dreams doesn’t mean you have to give up on your own.” As a working Mom/business owner myself, I can so relate to that. Beth Feldman, President of Role Mommy (and so much more!) was kind enough to answer some questions for us today.
Beth Feldman
I love the mission of Role Mommy. What inspired you to come up with that?
When I became a new mom I was always fascinated by stories of women who were pursuing their passion while raising a family. I wanted to know what made them tick, what inspired them to still do what they love despite the stress, time constraints and mommy guilt. And after meeting with and interviewing countless women who are still going after their dreams while juggling motherhood, I felt that they were role models or “Role Mommies” who should be celebrated.
What do you hope your readers can get from your website?
What I hope is that readers will be entertained and inspired when they visit Role Mommy. From celebrity interviews, humorous essays, recommendations and profiles of amazing moms, when you visit our site, it’s like that chocolate box scene from “Forrest Gump” – you never know what you’re gonna get.
What is Role Mommy University?
We are in the process of developing a program for mothers who are entrepreneurs, authors and parenting experts where we will provide them with the tools they will need to garner exposure for their brand, book or product. We are currently scheduling these events in NYC that will then be made available online.
How do you come up with ideas for your blog?
I come up with ideas in a variety of ways. If I’m out and about with my family I usually find that divine inspiration strikes and I get some great ideas for humorous posts. I’m also invited to lots of media events and while I can’t make them all, I definitely attend the ones where I can get an interview with one of my favorite stars (you can check out our interview with Kelly Ripa for one of my latest big gets). I’m also contacted regularly by enterprising moms and PR agencies and again, I pursue stories that interest me. I’m an entertainment junkie, love to read chick lit and inspiring books and also love to showcase the incredible moms who have joined our community.
In a sea of countless Mommy Blogs and websites, what makes Role Mommy so unique?
Role Mommy is a place for every mom. If you’re doing something in your life that you’re passionate about, then we want to hear about it. We hope that when you visit our site, we can make you laugh or you are inspired by the stories of our Moms of Reinvention.
What do you like best about your work at Role Mommy?
Being able to connect with incredible women from all over the country who are doing amazing things in their lives and writing funny stories about my hectic life as a working mom with a husband, two kids, two cats, a hermit crab and a lizard that will be joining our brood this summer. I guess what I’m saying is my home life is like a zoo and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In addition to publishing your website, you are President of BeyondPR, an entertainment public relations agency in NY. Can you tell us about that?
Before I left corporate America, I was a vice president for the CBS Communications Group where I spearheaded PR efforts for four divisions of the company including entertainment, marketing, consumer products and digital media. When I left CBS, I launched a public relations consulting firm and over the last two years have worked on a host of entertainment projects for TNT, TBS, CBS, Yahoo and Lifetime Television. I’m also frequently hired by entertainment and toy companies to tap into the mom blogger market. So in essence, my passion for motherhood has now dovetailed with my public relations agency.
Beth with her Children and Husband - One Happy Family!
How on earth do you find time to manage the website and the agency and be a wife and Mom to two children and two cats?
Let me stop you right there – today I purchased a tank for a new lizard we’ll be taking into our home when my son comes home from school tomorrow. Plus, we have two hermit crabs too. I pretty much work a lot. I try to stay away from my laptop when my kids are awake but once they go to sleep, I’m back online, writing, pitching, social networking and pretty much doing what I love. I now have to run and break up a scuffle between my elderly cat and psychotic kitten.
I’m laughing, because your life actually sounds like a sitcom! Beth, you are quite possibly the busiest mom in America! When (or if) you have an hour to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?
I love getting pedicures and judging from my toes, I’m in desperate need of one right about now. I also enjoy slipping on my headphones, strapping on my rollerblades and singing some of my favorite show tunes and pop songs as I zip around my neighborhood.
I understand you have a funny story about the early birth of your son, Dylan, and how that did not stop you from working. At that time you were employed by CBS, right?
My son was born three weeks early, as I was in the midst of planning the finale for “The Amazing Race,” scheduling a major photo shoot with the cast of “The King of Queens” and arranging for the entire cast of CSI to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. I never realized that the stress from all three shows would cause me to go into pre-mature labor, but it did. On the day I went into labor, I was busy emailing my assistant (this was before Blackberries) while clutching the wall between contractions. Within a few hours, my son literally flew out of me (now I know why women give birth in rice patties and go back to work right afterwards). I then spent the next few days in bed watching all my stars appear on the talk shows I had booked for them before Dylan decided to make his entrance into the world.
Now that’s dedication! Eventually you talked your boss into telecommuting. You must have been a bit nervous about asking. How did you present the idea?
When I was set to go back to work after my daughter was born, I asked my boss if he would give me the chance to telecommute twice a week. He agreed to give me a trial run for six weeks and it worked out really well. So much so, that my actions paved the way for other women in the department to work from home too.
Your PR work sounds fascinating. Of all the campaigns you’ve worked on, what’s your favorite?
Hands down, my favorite campaign was the finale of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” From creating a collector’s item press kit that resembled a family photo album, to arranging a marathon day of press appearances for the cast where they appeared on nearly every national talk and entertainment show on television, to the moment when they rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. I’ll never forget the moment when Doris Roberts reached reached for my hands and said to me, “Honey, you should be so proud of yourself. Look what you’ve accomplished today – don’t you ever forget it.” We then ended the night at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park City where the cast, writers, producers, close family and friends got the chance to celebrate the final episode with a private screening party that I helped spearhead too. It was truly one of the most amazing moments of my career and I will never forget it.
You have co-authored a book with Yvette Manessis Corporon called “Peeing in Peace: Tales & Tips for Type A Moms.” What a hilarious title. Can you tell us about the book?
After the finale of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Yvette, who was a producer at “Extra” and I got together for lunch and realized we both wanted to write a book about what it was like balancing work, family and everything in between. We wanted to present the lighter side of working motherhood and we spent the summer in my basement writing our book proposal. While we initially weren’t able to get the book published traditionally, we decided to self publish through NK Publications, who actually managed to sell the book into Borders. Within weeks, we snagged a new agent and she sold the book to Sourcebooks and the rest is history. The book is now available online through Amazon, Borders and in stores like Barnes and Noble and Destination Maternity. And, it’s even available in Portugal too!
I’ve got to read that! Where can our readers buy it?
The best way to find the book is on Amazon – we always love driving our numbers up with tons of Amazon sales! And I’m also proud to announce that my next book, “See Mom Run: Side-splitting Essays from the World’s Most Harried Blogging Moms” will be published this fall by Plain White Press.
What advice do you have for the woman who wants it all?
Any mom can have it all – She just can’t have it all at once. Always do the things you love – even if it’s just for one hour per week. Never lose yourself in the process of becoming a mom – you are an incredible individual who is a role model to your children. Do what you love and the rest will fall into place.
So well put, Beth! I am sure our readers are inspired - not only by your accomplishments - but also by your philosophy on life. It is obvious that school of thought has a great deal to do with your success. Your energy is relentless and your passion for what you do is awe-inspiring. Thank you for enlightening us and supporting hard-working moms all over the world. Please stay in touch as we’d all love to hear what’s in store for you, your future Role Mommy endeavors and naturally, your expanding “zoo” at home.
To reach Beth Feldman, click here. To subscribe to the free Role Mommy newsletter, click here.
