Synchronicity in Book Marketing and Publicity

Hi there,

It has been a wild couple of weeks as we began the countdown to the launch of the new Web site http://www.joannemccall.com/. My designer, Fernando Martinez, has been an angel as we work together to get the site up and running. If you've created a Web site, and you probably have if you're reading this, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.


So, imagine my surprise when I got a phone call from him last week tentatively asking me, "Joanne, I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?" I immediately to myself, "Oh no. Not bad news. We've been working so hard. How can there be bad news? What could it be? Do I really want to know?"


Long pause: "OK, give me the good news first."


Fernando says, "Well the good news is that I have the graphics and the links all set up on your new site for your radio show on Blog Talk Radio."


Now, keep in mind, I wasn't planning to begin a talk show right away. I do have a history of being a radio broadcaster for a number of years, so the idea of doing a show again is very attractive to me, but I've got so many other projects to work on that starting a talk show was way down on the list. That one was going to have to wait for awhile.


He continues, "The bad news is that I was experimenting with how Blog Talk Radio works and now you are actually going to be doing your first show next Friday, August 28, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time, 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time Oh, and by the way, you already have quite a few followers. I put in some tag words and because your show is called 'Your Brand', and because that's a popular search word, you already have an audience."


"WHAT?!" I asked incredulously.


Fernando launched into some kind of explanation as my brain tried to process what he was saying to me, and then I just erupted into laughter.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!


"Joanne?"


"Yes," I responded.


"You're OK?"


"I think that's hysterical! I guess I'm going back on the radio. I mean the Universe must want it if I didn't do a thing to make it happen and now you're telling me I'm going to be hosting a show next Friday." Who would have guessed?


Fernando went on to show me all the links and graphics and what he had written about the show.

Back on the air waves;I guess it's the digital airwaves now. What a wonderful journey home to my roots. After all, radio has been such a part of me for such a long time--way back to when I was a little girl reading the back of the shampoo bottle in the bathtub--pretending I was on the radio. Don't get me wrong. I love what I am doing now. Publicity, marketing and promotion with my own company has been a dream come true. I love having my own business with a team of people to collaborate with me. There is nothing better. Still, a part of me will always live on the air--it gets in your blood. Ask anyone in the business and they will tell you the same thing. Plus, I had the added good fortune of working with air talent and program directors who were the best in the business. Many are still friends today.


And speaking of today, my crash course in how all this technology works continues. I am happy to say that the first show went off without a hitch. I had the good fortune of interviewing a fabulous book marketer, Sharon Castlen, about book distribution and what you should be thinking about if you're considering publishing a book. You can hear it here anytime as a podcast at blog talk radio or please join me every Friday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time for Your Brand. It's for anyone who has a small business--entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, speakers, writers, authors, freelancers, etc., particularly if you have a book or are considering writing one.

This show is an an opportunity for me to give to others who are building their business and marketing a book. I hope you will find it of great value.

Warmly,
Joanne


P.S. Synchronicity. How has it shown up in your life this week? Do you believe things happen for a reason?