Plymouth, MI, USA - September 15, 2025 - Authors weighing whether to spend their budget on advertising or publicity have a clear winner, according to Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Book Marketing. While paid ads may deliver a short-term spike in book sales, Lorenz argues that publicity generates lasting buzz, celebrity, and trust that far outshines the temporary effects of advertising.
"Readers are smart- they know an ad is an ad," says Lorenz. "But when your book is featured in a magazine, highlighted on a podcast, or recommended by a trusted reviewer, that's credibility you simply can't buy."
In his latest article, Publicity v.s Advertising: Why Organic Buzz Still Outranks Paid Ads for Books, Lorenz outlines the key differences between these two approaches:
Publicity: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Earned media coverage- from local newspaper features to podcast interviews- creates authentic endorsements that live online for years, continually attracting new readers. Publicity builds credibility and trust, giving books staying power.
Advertising: The Quick Fix
Paid ads on platforms like Facebook or Amazon may deliver a temporary sales boost, but results vanish when the budget runs out. Readers often scroll past ads, making them less effective in creating long-term engagement.
Publicity Wins
While advertising buys attention, publicity earns it- and readers recognize the difference. Authentic buzz from bloggers, reviewers, and media outlets drive conversations, shares, and lasting connections that keep books alive well beyond launch week.
"The smartest move an author can make is to invest in publicity," Lorenz adds. "It's the strategy that ensures your book will be talked about, remembered, and recommended long after the ads have stopped running."
Read the full article on Lorenz's blog, The Book Publicist.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz's new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator - A Proven System in Naming Your Book (www.BookTitleGenerator.net).
Media Contact
Company Name: Westwind Communications Book Marketing
Contact Person: Scott Lorenz
Email: Send Email
Phone: 734-667-2090
Country: United States
Website: https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com
