Afua S. Owusu

This year's U.S. Book Show was buzzing with energy and insight, making it clear that the pulse of the publishing world is stronger than ever. As we are always in the mindset of “sharing is caring,” here is some knowledge the Smith team and I gained from the event: 🎙️ Panel Insights:  From our industry friends at Amplify Publishing Group and Forefront Books to new connections like Mia Orlandella from Penguin Random House, the discussions were rich and varied. A standout moment was the Young Publishing Forum, where the focus was on "emerging publishers" rather than "young" ones, emphasizing the rapid professional growth in this field and the value of mentorship and community. 🤖 AI and Publishing:  During the CEO roundtable, AI’s role in publishing was a major topic. It was fascinating to hear perspectives on AI as an "intelligent assistant"—a tool that augments rather than replaces the human creativity, empathy, and intuition essential to forward-looking innovation. 📈 Trend Shifts in Book Selling:  The dynamics of book distribution are flipping. It’s no longer just about what bookstores will accept from publishers, but strategically thinking about which books are pushed to major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Inc. or newer platforms like Bookshop.org. This strategic distribution reflects a deeper niche targeting approach. 📘 Digital and Libraries Evolving Together:  Discussions around digital book buying, especially in educational sectors, highlighted the evolving role of libraries. They're not just physical spaces but are adapting to digital demands with tools like social media and virtual book clubs, enhancing access and engagement. We left feeling a profound sense of community and dedication across the board, from protecting authors' interests to celebrating the human touch in our tech-driven world. The Publishers Weekly U.S. Book Show wasn't just about books; it was a testament to the passionate individuals behind them, restoring our faith in humanity one page at a time. If you want to take a deep dive into more knowledge and actionable takeaways from the event, Olivia Whitlock McCoy and I recorded a special episode of the Smith Publicity, Inc. All Things Book Marketing Podcast. Check out our insightful episode here: https://bit.ly/3KlxSUD. #Marketing #Publishing #Author #Books #Leadership

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Journalism is not a crime.

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“Media opportunities are for more established authors and experts than myself.” It’s time to bust this Smith Myth. Richelle Zizian Fredson and I do just that in my recent interview on her Bound + Determined podcast. From established publishers to innovative hybrid presses, from independently published debut authors to influential keynote speakers and industry luminaries, we explore strategies for amplifying the voices of 𝒂𝒍𝒍 authors. Some key points from our conversation include: 🗓️ The ideal timeline for book PR 🎤 What media is really looking for right now 📰 How the media landscape has changed for authors 📖 Why your book is the supporting character, not the main character It was such an enlightening and inspiring discussion. You can listen to all of our actionable takeaways at the link here: https://bit.ly/3yYS0JC. #Marketing #Author #Publishing #MarketingStrategy

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It can be a tricky conversation when you need to ask a journalist for a correction to an article, but here some of my thoughts on how to go about it for PRmoment 👇

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  Communications professionals have an obligation to defend and support credible media outlets producing journalism grounded in shared facts, ethical reporting standards and protecting the public interest. In the disinformation age, shady websites like The Hub have spilled out of think tanks to prop up political and corporate agendas while passing themselves off as ‘independent’ media outlets. At least in this social media graphic they’re transparent about the far-right agenda they’re amplifying (though not so transparent about who funds them). I have nothing against the opinionator industry as long as they’re honest that they’re little more than Substack curators and a long way from credible media outlets that aim to meet basic journalism standards and engage in newsgathering.

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If you can't write for toffee, need some tips on how to write copy that will leave journalists salivating, or have nothing better to do, there are a few spots left in today's Sound Bite Central at midday. This one is focused on mortgage brokers. https://lnkd.in/eDKMUbVC

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Thanks Kris for the important considerations for what videos work to help drive each phase of the buyers journey. Great Post! #mediacominc #videoproduction #videoproducer #corporatevideo #videomarketing #headshots #eventphotography #photography #digitize

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PICK UP LINES #6 “Hey you are doing great” I started these posts with a mini-mission of helping media and comms professionals to improve their engagement with traditional media.  Admittedly, my tone has been a bit narky of late. So to lighten things up I want to commend those of you who are working your butts off and developing great media campaigns. Here is a random list of stuff that media and comms advisors are getting right. DUCKS IN A ROW A superfluous way of saying - you are organised. Your client or company has a story they want to tell and you have a clear understanding of why this story is being told. (Sell more product / promote the brand / call to action / enhance reputation.) You have identified the media outlet or specific journalist you want to target. The media release is approved. The talent or interviewees are prepared.  The interview and filming dates are pencilled in.   And parking is organised. *A huge shout out to those who organise parking for media ops, press calls, or official launches, as this helps everything run on time. BULLET POINTS - I adore a dot point press release or email - Bullet points are a great way to set out key info clearly - Normal text size and Ariel or Calibri font are great too. - Do not send anyone great wads of texts HONESTY You need not give away company secrets or divulge everything about your media campaign to a nosy journalist. But honesty is key. For example, when PR and media advisors are honest with me about their objective for a story - especially a positive one - I take that "objective" into consideration when I am writing the script. Especially if the objective or intention comes from a good place. Honesty is even more important when responding to negative reports or publicity. If your company or client is getting bad press, responding with more mistruths is only going to compound the negative coverage. Also, if your company representative does not want to weigh in on a negative story that is not directly related to the company - then don't. But never lie to the journalist and say “he/she/they are TOO BUSY” so can not comment. You might get caught out if your company rep pops up elsewhere in the media or at a public event. Just simply say "at this stage we will not be making any comment in relation to x. " Never fudge the truth in a press release about something being NEW or EVIDENCE BASED if it is not.  You will be busted telling porky pies (lies). CARE FOR A DRINK I am always grateful to those media advisers and publicity peeps who take a moment to offer a camera crew member or myself a glass of water. Food is not necessary - but some H20 goes a long way. 

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If you are here, you likely understand the power of #socialmedia marketing. For a #smallbusiness, it can be an invaluable tool. To discuss the evolution of her company, #KissedByABee, we sat with founder, Akilah Scott-Amos. #mainandwall on #scrippsnews by #mshbookings.

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It's easy for journalists, PR people and marketers to all demonise eachother, but the reality of modern communication - especially B2B comms - is that we all need one another. Almost all news published today is sourced from a press release or proactive media relationship. Establishing respectful, mutually beneficial relationships can make all the difference - as a journalist it's such a load off your mind knowing you can get an impactful comment right when you need it. When you trust a comms professional, you're more likely to turn to them when you need expert commentary, and in turn to hear them out when they tell you about a potentially impactful story (especially relevant considering how many releases flood our inboxes). But these relationships take work - the tricky part is they might not pay off right away, but in the long term, they can pay dividends. I've written a short blog about this symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship, and why it matters to both parties ⬇ 👇 ⬇ - As a former journalist, who's also worked in marketing and PR comms (and who still freelances gaming features!), I would love your thoughts, no matter where you sit on the PR/marketing/journalism divide!

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When you make a presentation in front of a group, you want to make sure that your audience is paying attention. Here are some helpful ideas for doing that. https://lnkd.in/eYiFFHCC #publicspeaking #speech #fear #speaker

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🎙️ Listen to our latest podcast here: https://shorturl.at/avPW8 🎥 Turn Existing Videos into Gold! 🎥 Just finished our latest podcast and here’s a golden nugget for you: Don’t overthink your content creation! 🌟 Take a video you’ve already made and just post it. Sometimes, the best impact comes from what you’ve already done. And if you’re feeling creative? Craft a new piece that addresses your audience’s pain points or desires. Start with a hook that resonates deeply. 🎣 What video of yours deserves a second spotlight? Share it below! 📲 📈 #ContentStrategy #RepurposeContent #EngagementBoost #SocialMediaTips #VideoMarketing

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"Podcasting is broadcasting" - J Pod Creations' Jennifer-Lee Gunson discusses how and why podcasting continues to grow and why some are going to be more successful than others. Great must-know information for those who want to be successful with podcasts now and into the future. #podcasts #podcasting #broadcasting #publicrelations #media #comms #contentmarketing #branding

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Independent journalism at its best! This ruling shows that the media is capable of self-regulation and managing its affairs. It's not about winners or losers, but about creating systems that enable independent journalism to flourish. #MediaPolicy #SelfRegulation #Namibia https://lnkd.in/eBjfH8aN

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3 WAYS TO GET ANYTHING https://lnkd.in/eW_VByF5

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I think this is good advice for most writing.

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