my promotion idea

[Tippecanoe1841]

I am writing a book about the death of the ninth President of the United States, William Henry Harrison, in 1841 after only 32 days in office. I am self-publishing the book, so selling it is going to be a real challenge. I am no PT Barnum, but I figure it is going to take some gimmick marketing to get any kind of attention or buzz for my book. As some of you probably know, President Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address in U.S. history, 8,444 words. He delivered the one and a half hour address in a cold northeasterly wind without wearing a coat or hat. Historians disagree on whether or not that is what caused him to get sick and die one month later. I plan to release my book in the winter months-either December, January or February. I live in Louisville, Kentucky, and it is usually cold during those months. At my kickoff event, I plan to read President Harrison's epic inaugural address in its entirety while standing outside and wearing no coat or hat. I plan on renting a local community center on a major thoroughfare, and while I am delivering the 1 1/2 hour address, my wife and kids will be inside the community center selling autographed copies of my book. For people who don't want to buy a book on the spot, they will give them one of my business cards with my website address on it. I will promote the event by sending press releases to all local media outlets. Since I am an unknown, previously unpublished author self-publishing my book, I figure I need something eye-catching to get my book out there. I hope that the off-beat nature of the event, a man reading a 1 1/2 hour inaugural address of a long-dead U.S. president in the winter cold without a hat or coat, will grab some media attention. If the idea works, I will hold similar events in other cities in the region. My wife says I'm crazy and I'll probably get sick and die like William Henry Harrison did. I say I need some publicity to promote my book and get some sales. Am I crazy like she says, or am I on to something?

[alleycat]

I sort of agree with your wife . . . ;-)

Another idea: some local PBS stations have a weekly book program (as does some NPR stations). This might be something they would be interested in. Since you live close, you might try contacting the producer of A Word on Words hosted by John Seigenthaler, which is produced by WNPT in Nashville. They sometimes feature books of this type, even self-published books if the author is local.

[ResearchGuy]

I like your inventiveness and enthusiasm . . . but better stock up on vitamin C, zinc, cold meds . . . and be sure your health insurance is paid up. And life insurance.

Yeah, you could draw some attention for sure.

--Ken

[iLion]

Tippecanoe1841 - I think you're onto something. With sincere apologies to your wife, if you can stand the cold that way, I'd say definitely do it. Why not? It will either garner some publicity (which is the purpose), or it won't (so nothing lost).

Maybe tip off any radio jocks you have locally, too, especially talk shows. They seem to love that sort of thing.

And maybe you could even set up a small booth (just cardboard if it's not windy) where you'll stand with red, white and blue streamers like at the innaugurals - and a loudspeaker or two.

If you have someone video tape it for youtube, we can all check it out.