Building Relationships with Media: A Key to Successful Book Publicity
By Lauren Hathaway, Founder of Grace Taylor PR
At Grace Taylor PR, we know that strong media relationships are at the heart of any successful book publicity campaign. For authors, getting media coverage isn’t just about visibility. It’s about building trust with potential readers, creating momentum around a book launch, and positioning yourself as a credible voice in your genre or area of expertise.
But media coverage doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Behind every great feature, interview, or review is a carefully nurtured relationship. Whether you’re working with a publicist or promoting your book on your own, building genuine connections with journalists, bloggers, podcasters, and producers can make all the difference.
This is how we guide our authors through the process, and how you can start doing it too.
Why Media Relationships Matter for Author Publicity
If you’re an author trying to promote your book, media outreach is more than just sending out a press release. The most effective publicity for authors comes from creating real relationships with the people telling the stories. Reporters and producers are constantly pitched, which means a thoughtful, tailored message stands out.
At Grace Taylor PR, we approach every pitch as the start of a conversation. We think about the journalist’s audience, tone, and previous coverage. We look for ways to be helpful, not just promotional. This mindset shifts the dynamic and opens the door to ongoing, mutually beneficial connections.
How to Research and Reach Out to Media Contacts
Before reaching out, spend time getting to know the person on the other end. What do they write or produce? What stories have they recently covered? What types of interviews or features do they tend to do?
This kind of research helps ensure your pitch feels personal and relevant. If you’re emailing a book blogger, mention a review they recently wrote that resonated with you. If you’re contacting a podcast host, reference a past episode that aligns with your topic. Personalization is not just polite, it’s strategic.
Offer Value, Not Just a Pitch
When promoting a book, authors often focus on what they need. But strong media relationships are built on what you can offer. Journalists want access to timely, compelling stories. If your novel touches on a relevant social issue or personal experience, or if your expertise ties into something newsworthy, position your pitch accordingly.
Think about how your story fits into a bigger conversation. At Grace Taylor PR, we often help authors uncover angles that connect their book to current events, anniversaries, seasonal moments, or trending topics. This approach adds value to the media outlet while also elevating your visibility.
Follow Up with Professionalism and Gratitude
Following up is an important part of media outreach, but it should be done with care. If you don’t get a response right away, wait at least a week before checking in. Keep your message short, polite, and to the point. If they’re not interested, thank them anyway and leave the door open for future opportunities.
When someone does cover your book, express sincere thanks. Share their article, tag them on social media, and let your readers know where they can find the feature or interview. This small step reinforces the relationship and shows that you appreciate the collaboration.
Think Beyond Launch Week
Many authors focus on publicity only during the launch window, but relationships with media can benefit you long after your book hits shelves. A journalist who passes on your pitch today might reach out next season. A blogger who loves your debut novel might become an early reader for every book you publish moving forward.
At Grace Taylor PR, we treat every relationship as part of a long-term strategy. We don’t just aim for coverage. We aim to build a network of media contacts who trust us, enjoy working with our authors, and are excited to keep the conversation going.
Grace Taylor PR’s Approach to Media Relationship Building
What sets us apart at Grace Taylor PR is our personal, strategic, and relationship-driven approach to book marketing. We don’t blast out generic press releases or rely on media lists that go stale. We take the time to understand who our contacts are and what matters to them, so that when we reach out, it feels less like a pitch and more like a partnership.
We also coach our authors on how to show up well in these relationships. From preparing for interviews to writing thank-you notes to engaging with media coverage online, we believe in creating moments of connection that leave a lasting impression.
