A few years ago, one of my clients landed a pre-interview with a producer. This was good news. The pitch had done its job, the producer was interested, and now they wanted to talk with him before deciding whether to move forward. It’s like an
You’re Being Auditioned Before the Interview Begins Read More »
You send a pitch to a producer, editor, writer, or podcast host, and then comes the reply you have been hoping for: “Please send me more information.” That is exciting, and it should be. You got their attention after all, but authors and experts sometimes
You Got Their Attention. Don’t Blow the Next Step. Read More »
Here is something authors are often surprised to learn about media. A producer or journalist may not care very much that you wrote a book. Ouch, I know. But they may care enormously about what you know because of the business you have spent years
The Story Behind the Book May Be the Real Media Story Read More »
Something happened recently that still makes me smile, even after all these years working with media. I heard back from someone I pitched approximately a year ago. A full year ago. Most authors and experts assume that when they send a pitch and hear nothing,
Your Publicity Campaign Ended. Your Pitch Didn’t. Read More »
This week, one of my clients sent me a video from one of her recent book events in Boston. It was lovely. It was professionally produced and beautifully edited. The team had great shots of her, her book, the event, and the people attending. It
What a TV Producer Sees That You Don’t Read More »
An author I know recently pitched a media outlet that made complete sense. It fit their “This outlet is perfect for me” test, which includes the following: The topic was right for them. The audience was right. The timing was good. The author had the
Why A Great Pitch Can Get No Response Read More »
Every year, authors make the same mistake with holiday gift guides. They wait until the holidays. On the surface that seems right, but when it comes to media, you often have to be thinking way ahead. By November, when the stores are decorated, holiday music
It’s Already Holiday Gift Guide Season Read More »
During my webinar earlier this week, an author asked a question that immediately got Stephanie and me talking. Stephanie Chandler is the founder of the Nonfiction Authors Association and was hosting the webinar. During the Q&A, one participant asked about emails she had been receiving
That Flattering Email May Not Be What It Seems Read More »
Last week, I wrote about how AI can waste enormous amounts of your time. It can produce too many ideas, too many versions, too many directions, and too much material to sort through. Something that should have taken fifteen minutes can suddenly consume hours. Perhaps
When Trust Is Already in Short Supply Read More »
AI is supposed to save us time according to all the talk online. And sometimes it does. It can help brainstorm ideas, organize information, suggest titles, tighten a paragraph, or point us toward an angle we had not considered. But there is another side to
AI is Not an Oracle Read More »