When it comes to the promotion of your book it is important to know that: "Publicity is the voice of visibility." This is a terrific message to all of you authors out there. When it comes to getting the word out about your book in order to drive sales, nothing can beat a great public relations campaign.

The trick is to find a terrific publicist to help you gain media attention for your book. But how do you do that? What should you be looking for? Here Marsha Friedman, CEO of Event Management Services, a national public relations firm shares her 10 tips to find the best publicist for your book.

1. Find a publicist that works in your genre. So, if your book is religious, find a firm that specializes in religious media as they'll have the strongest contacts and will know which shows and publications represent the best exposure for you. Marsha Friedman says, "Same goes for all of the other genres as well."

2. Find a publicist that will take the time to research your topic enough to understand how to communicate your message to the media. Marsha Friedman adds, "You don't want a publicist that will rush through your topic and campaign to varying successes. Choose one who is interested enough to ask questions and really grasp what your message is."

3. Make sure that the publicist is a specialist in your choice of media. Marsha Friedman says, "Every publicist you come across may not be specialized in the tv, radio or print that you desire. It is a known fact in the industry that if a publicist does not specialize in the media you choose, they will refer your business to another company." So if you have written an exercise book, then TV would be best. Thus you would need to find a publicity firm that specializes in TV.

4. Ask for sample campaigns. This is a terrific way to see what sort of media exposure, and within what timeframe, that they obtained for their authors.

5. Request the opportunity to contact the publicity firm's past clients. This way you can have a conversation with someone that actually worked with the firm. This may hold a few pearls of wisdom for you.

6. Make sure to look at the price tag and shop around. When choosing a publicity firm it is more about their results than their fancy metropolitan locale.

7. And speaking of fees - in the book industry you'll find many publicists who work on a performance or project basis. Marsha Friedman says, "There are many firms out there that charge on a project basis while there are others that will charge you every month regardless of their results. So, steer clear of monthly retainer based firms."

8. Get past a prospective PR firm's sales hype and find the firm you feel will get the job done. Marsha Friedman says, "The problem an author can run into is the sales person they speak with and build confidence in, is not always the person who will be handling their campaign. Don't be afraid to ask who will be handling your campaign, writing your press releases, scheduling your media. Find out how long they've been with the firm. Ask what their level of experience is. After you worked so hard on your book you want to be handled by the best."

9. Don't limit your search to local agencies. Especially if you're looking for regional or national reach. You don't have to regularly have face-to-face meetings with your publicity firm. The work involved can be done via phone. So focus your efforts on finding the best publicity..period!" 9. One last point - find a firm that has an understanding of your topic and an enthusiasm for your message! Many times, the determination of your publicity team can be a major reason for their successes in obtaining media coverage for you.

So there you go! Go out and there and find the best publicist!just make sure to use these 10 vital tips! If you would like to learn more about gaining media attention for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Marsha Friedman is available to be of service . Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a PR expert Marsha Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without budget busting monthly retainers.

Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on public relations for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook "How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest" visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.