Rob Manuel

The whole sick jokes project hasn’t just been an attempt to get 100% filth into the British Library, but also a (not so) secret attempt to test my theories of marketing.

My little idea is “give away the book and more people would buy it.” Not really a paradox, but simply that a PDF copy allows people to enjoy the material, but isn’t really a suitable gift for a birthday present.

“Oooh. A 14MB email attachment, your generosity is really spoiling us.”

Hence, give it away, and maybe people will buy a copy for a friend. That’s assuming they think the book is good of course.

Gah, but fuck it, here we go. Here’s the book for free, and hopefully the Amazon sales rank won’t plummet to zero.

And here’s the magic link: www.SickJokeBook.com, go crazy.

And with that, the Sick Joke project is nearly over. Well barring the soon to be re-launched, bigger and better Sickipedia…

The Sick Jokes thing is selling well enough for the publisher to start making noises that they’re interested in a follow up.

But what exactly?

I asked a few friends, one said, “I think you should write a ‘proper’ book. How to get 1,000,000 hits in one day. It’d be the bible for viral people everywhere.”

Sadly this would be a very short book, as the only secret is “make it good”.

Or in more detail: Pick an area that you have some insight into, make it easy to comprehend, add a few jokes if you can think of them, tell everyone you know and hope for the best.

So, over to you. Got any ideas?

The PR company associated with the publisher refused to work on the B3ta book as they were concerned that it might reflect badly on their other clients.

Spoil sports!

Anyway, so I’ve had to make do with an ad-hoc approach with me basically emailing various people I’ve met through the years and hoping for the best. Although, when I think about it, this is probably how real PR works.

Zoo Magazine: 25 Sickest Jokes Ever

Clicky for biggy.

We’ve had a few wins. Zoo magazine have done a two page spread on the book.

BTW: This is a screen grab of a proof they sent me and doesn’t include the illustration credits. I’ve checked the print version and all the credits are there in full – if in the smallest font I’ve ever seen. I would show you a scan of that, but my bloody scanner has chosen today to refuse to work.

Oh the B3ta promo the right side was was originally sold to Gillette Fusion Hydra Soothe if you are interested, and there’s no reason why you should be, but I’m vaguely curious to know whether Gillette were happy to be placed next to such filth.

Actually, I’m assume they’re fine as if you turn back a page, Gillette have another ad placed next to a photo of a Britney Spears look-a-like sucking a penis.

Anyway, I’ve replaced it with a massive plug for the book.

Evening Standard

I’ve got a confession here, I occasionally do TV title work for Victor Lewis-Smith’s company and I made sure he got a copy of the book in the post. I didn’t know he was going to write anything, and the first I heard of it was when my wife spotted my name whilst reading her paper on the tube. Hooray for Victor.

Broadcast

Steven D Wright is a columnist for TV industry magazine, Broadcast. It doesn’t hurt that he’s also the ex-boss of my wife and she slipped him a copy on the off chance he might like it. He’s come up trumps with this fantastic and amusing editorial.

The Guardian

Not exactly PR, more the happy accident that B3ta ended up in the papers and I told the journalist, “No comment. But you could mention the book if you like.”

Loved the, “Amazon best sellers” thing. My dad read that and phoned up all excited. (But hopefully he’s stopped visiting Cardiff Waterstones offering my services to do a book signing. Thanks Dad.)

Online

And taking it back to the web, we’ve had a few mentions with our friendly compeition – i.e. other UK newsletter publishers.

London by London took the time to interview me about London.

Also, there’s been The Friday Thing which cheekily asked me to write “something about Chris de Burgh” in exchange for a plug. That I don’t give a flying fuck about Chris de Burgh didn’t stop me from having a go.

And finally we’ve had a lovely plug in Popbitch, but as it was a one line thing, there isn’t much to say about the screengrab. However, you have to respect PB’s power. Did the book jump a few places or what?

Anyways. This is PR the “sitting in my bedroom in my underpants” way, if you think you can help then you know how to get in touch.Oh, and I nearly forgot. I might as well plug the book myself with a big fat Amazon link: Buy the book else the baby Jesus will cry. Rah.