How much does a book publicist cost?

It is worth it when your goals extend past launch week. A campaign that positions you as an expert builds name recognition and a media platform that keep paying off in book sales, new printings, publishing deals, new clients and speaking fees.

Client Mike Song describes the upside in his own words: Cathy Lewis’s team helped him make over 100 media appearances, including CNN and Good Morning America, and his book The Hamster Revolution sold over 125,000 copies in 11 languages. Not every campaign produces a bestseller, but that is the kind of long tail good publicity is built for.

• Length. A one-month push costs less than a multi-month campaign with ongoing pitching.
• Media mix. National television and print take more pitching and follow-up than a focused podcast or regional radio push.
• Add-ons. Internet marketing, speaker services, media coaching and writing services each add scope.
• Travel. Coordinating appearances around trips to major media markets adds planning, and often adds results.
• Your starting point. An author with media experience and a clear expert angle can move faster.

Services are mixed and matched, so you pay for the campaign you need. See every option on the book publicity services page.

1. Which outlets have you placed clients in during the last 12 months? (Bestseller Publishing suggests asking this.)
2. What milestones can we agree on at 30, 60 and 90 days?
3. How will you report results? Clients describe regular updates and a monthly summary.
4. Who will actually work on my campaign day to day?

If your publisher has placed your book on its top-tier list with a full campaign behind it, you may need less outside help. If you only want review copies mailed with no follow-up, a lighter freelance arrangement may cost less. If you want to be positioned as an expert with sustained coverage, a dedicated firm is built for that. Compare the options on the publicist vs. publisher page, or start from the book publicist overview.