AMS Questionnaire

We are so excited about working with you to create a more visible Authority brand for your company. As part of that process, we want to use this questionnaire to gather initial information on you and your business.

Below, please find a series of questions intended to help us get fully up to speed as we get underway.

Please also email us the following items:

High-res headshot(s)
High-res images of the book covers (any existing)
High-res image of a personal brand logo (if have an existing one)

We know how busy you are and appreciate you taking the time to fill out the questionnaire. Take as much space as you need for each question and feel free to attach additional documents if you need more room. This information is for private use by Advantage|ForbesBooks, so please be as detailed and honest as possible. We’re in a stage where you can’t send us too much information, so please don’t hesitate to send us anything else outside of this questionnaire you think might be useful.

Step 1 of 6

Contact Information
Member Name*
Names, titles, and contact information of the internal project team.*
(ex. John Smith, Marketing Director, john@gmail.com, 123-456-7890)
Is there a point person for PR and social media efforts that we should default to? If so, who?*
What is the best way to get in touch with you with a last-minute media request? (Cell or email?)*
Phone*
Please provide all phone numbers including home, mobile, work.
Please list all your book titles and publications dates below.*
Are there any pet peeves you have that we should be aware of? Are there any things you especially like or enjoy on the marketing & PR front that we should be aware of?*
Should all your involved team members be copied on every email campaign? If not, who specifically should we include?*
Are there existing marketing plans or strategies in place? If so, email them to you account manager so we can review.*
- Yes
- No
Will you be the primary decision-maker, or do we need to look to the entire team for feedback and approval on key campaign items?*
- I am the primary decision maker.
- I would like my team to look at key campaign items for feedback.
Name(s) and contact information for anyone else we should know while working on this campaign (speaker’s bureau, other marketing partners, your VIPs!)*

About Your Work & Your Books
What services (speaking, consulting, etc.) and/or products are you offering? Please list in order of importance.*
What are the long-term goals for you and your company?*
What is your objective with growing your authority brand? (i.e. drive appointments, speaking opportunities, promote a book, launch a brand, etc.)*
What are the main actions you would like people to take? (i.e. schedule an appointment, book you for speaking, purchase the book, have a conversation, join your newsletter, etc.)*
What are your goals for this authority marketing campaign?*
Who do you think your target audiences are and why? Indicate the age range as well as demographic description.*
Describe your key message and what differentiates you from others. Some call this their “unique selling point” – why would someone want to lean toward you specifically?*
Who are your key competitors in your area of expertise? What do you like/dislike about them or their work/offerings?*
How are you different from your competitors?*
Can your work be associated with a holiday, anniversary or special occasion?*
Tell us about you/your business in 50 words or less. (In your own words, not jacket copy; your elevator pitch.)*
What do you think makes your message and brand stand out from similar ones in the market?*
How did the idea for your books originate?*
What kind of research did the book(s) involve?*
Describe each book’s strengths, weaknesses, and main competitors.*
Do your books relate to any trends or issues within an industry? If so, please explain.*
What about the books would attract the attention of journalists, in your opinion?*
Please list any endorsements in place for your books.*
What topics do you feel like you are most uniquely qualified to speak to?*
Please list any scheduled events or speaking appearances (book signings, galas, festivals, etc) this year.*
What would your “pie in the sky” media goals be?*

Your Background
What schools did you attend, what degrees did you receive and when did you earn them?*
Please provide a timeline for your key events and milestones.*
Have you previously written bylined articles for media or journals? If so, which ones?*
Please provide any available links for previous media coverage that can’t be found in the your online press room.*
Please list any future books you have in the works.*
Please list any relevant awards or recognitions you have received.*

Content & Messaging
Do you have a slogan or tagline that clearly describes what you offer in terms of products, benefits, or features?*
What is the problem most of your customers are looking to have solved?*
How do you currently communicate with your target audience?*
What news sites or blogs do you visit for news and updates in your space?*
Are there any sensitive topics or issues we need to be aware of or avoid?*
What type(s) of information do you currently share on social media? What has worked best in terms of engagement in the past?*
Who currently writes and posts social media content? Are you pleased with the current content strategy for your company in social media?*
Describe the voice you would like to portray online.*
Is there anything you have seen done well online that you are particularly interested in exploring?*

Accounts & Logins
he information below is for future social media management – nothing will be posted without your approval)
Facebook Username
Facebook Password
Instagram Username
Instagram Password
Twitter Username
Twitter Password
LinkedIn Username
LinkedIn Password
Pinterest Username
Pinterest Password
YouTube Username
YouTube Password
Domain Registrar Username

(ie. GoDaddy, BlueHost, etc.)
Domain Registrar Password
MailChimp or other email marketing account username
MailChimp or other email marketing account password
Any other blogs (including website blogs, company blogs, or third party blogs). Please include those usernames and passwords below.

Website
Please list the names of 3 websites that you like. Why are they attractive to you?*
If you were using a search engine (like Google or Bing), what words or phrases would you use to find your site? Which of these words or phrases is most important? Second? Third?*
Are there any external business websites or branding images that you would like linked or featured on this website?*
Are there any external business websites or branding images that you would like linked or featured on this website?*
Please talk a bit below about how you envision your website (Ex. Any themes, colors, features, etc.).*
Please provide testimonials, review quotes, or endorsements, if you have any. (These can be pulled from an existing website or LinkedIn as well.)*
If you have already purchased the domain name for the site, please provide your account information and name of domain provider.*
Who will be in charge of monitoring and maintaining the website and/or contact management system? Should this person be contacted throughout the design of your website?*
There will be a contact message form on your website, what is the best email address to direct inquiries to?*
What social media platforms would you like to have linked from the website?*

AMS Questionnaire

Step 1 of 6

Contact Information

About Your Work & Your Books

Your Background

Content & Messaging

Accounts & Logins

Website

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