Several years ago, during a particularly intense December, an editor I knew pulled me aside after an event and said something I have never forgotten. She held up her phone, opened her inbox, and showed me the number of unread messages. It was staggering. Hundreds,
The Pitches That Still Get Opened Read More »
Years ago I worked with an author whose book had tremendous potential. It was smart, timely, beautifully written, and exactly what her audience needed. We had lined up interviews, crafted pitches, and were building momentum. On the surface, everything looked aligned. But behind the scenes,
The One Message Your Audience Needs Now Read More »
Last week I wrote about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday, and why authors do not need to shout to be seen during a very noisy week. After I finished that piece, I kept thinking about something bigger. All year long, I talk with
Your Clear December Plan Read More »
A client of mine once dreaded the holiday season because she always felt she needed a huge promotion to compete with everyone else. One year she decided to do something different. Rather than getting all caught up in the Black Friday rush, she sent a
How Authors Can Stand Out This Week Without All The Noise Read More »
AI is amazing. There is no question about it. It can take huge amounts of data and sort, summarize, and analyze it faster than we ever could or ever imagined. It can even help you research podcasts that might be a good fit for your
You Can’t Hack Trust Read More »
“I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” –Mark Twain Ever notice how some people can capture an entire idea in one crisp, unforgettable sentence, while others need three paragraphs just to say hello? When it comes
November has arrived. Unbelievable, isn’t it? November is that in-between month where we feel the holidays approaching, ready or not! Some are already stringing lights and listening to Christmas music, while others are resisting every mention of peppermint lattes and wondering if it’s time to
Finish Strong: Power Moves for Authors Who Aren’t Done Yet Read More »
Image: Joanne McCall Every November, I’m reminded of an author I once worked with when the two of us turned National Gratitude Month into her springboard for media attention. It was perfect, but the interesting thing is that her book wasn’t about gratitude. It was
How Smart Authors Tap Into November’s Momentum Read More »
Speaking in the media requires more than just knowing what you’re talking about. It also requires that you sound like you know what you’re talking about. There’s a big difference. Of all the different types of clients I have worked with, academics often have the
The #1 Reason Brilliant People Stumble in the Media Read More »
I pitched a producer once who I really wanted a client to get in front of. The story idea was strong, the timing was right, the show covers this topic, and I thought for sure it would be a yes. But the answer came back,
Is that No or Not Yet? Read More »