What Not to Do When You Want Earned Media
There is a line between being visible and looking desperate. And it’s a line that an author and expert needs to know. I once worked with a woman who was going to be in New
Joanne McCall
June 1, 2026
Savvy Blog
Why Readiness Creates Visibility
Years ago, I worked with an author who had a wonderful message. She was smart, thoughtful, credentialed, and full of heart. The kind of person who truly had something meaningful to contribute to public conversations.
Joanne McCall
May 25, 2026
The Red Sheep Gets Remembered
Sometimes you do not know which part of a presentation is going to stick. You prepare your slides. You shape your teaching points. You think carefully about what your audience needs to hear, and you
Joanne McCall
May 18, 2026
Your Book Is Not Your Hook
There is something powerful that happens when a room full of nonfiction writers gathers together. Even if the room is virtual, you can feel it. The ideas, and the questions, and the quiet determination. The
Joanne McCall
May 11, 2026
Your Book Publicity Plan Starts While You’re Still Writing
I recently spoke with an author who had finally finished her book. And I mean finally. After years of thinking about it, two years of writing it, rounds of editing, cover design, and formatting, she
Joanne McCall
May 4, 2026
Big Media is Impressive. Fit is What Works
There was a time when top-tier media was not just the shiny prize. It was the thing that truly worked. A big national TV segment on Oprah, a major newspaper feature in the New York
Joanne McCall
April 27, 2026
Why Earned Media Matters More in the AI Era
The other day, I was thinking about an author and expert who should have been easy to find. She is smart, credible, experienced, and deeply helpful. She has a good website, clear messaging, strong content,
Joanne McCall
April 20, 2026
The Question You’re Hoping They Don’t Ask
Years ago, I was interviewing a celebrity relationship expert who had been married six times. You can probably guess the question sitting in the room before anyone even said it out loud. Why should anyone
Joanne McCall
April 13, 2026
The Guest Who Made the Host Work Too Hard
I was listening to a podcast recently and, of all things, the guest was a media trainer. You would think this would go beautifully, but life is filled with surprises. The host asked a question,
Joanne McCall
April 6, 2026