Back in the day, when Oprah was still huge on network television, I used to do a little private experiment on discovery calls. I would silently time how long it took a potential client to ask about getting on Oprah. And honestly, I understood. Oprah […]
They Wanted Oprah Because Oprah Was Oprah Read More »
There is a question running in the back of every producer’s, reporter’s, freelancer’s, editor’s, and podcast host’s mind when they receive a pitch from you. Rarely is it spoken. Most of the time, it’s not. But it is always there. And the question is… Why
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 York City. She had written a book and wanted national
What Not to Do When You Want Earned Media Read More »
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 “I know I have something important to say, but how
Your Book Is Not Your Hook Read More »
Back in the day, Oprah was the holy grail of media “gets.” You could meet someone at a networking event, talk to a fiction or nonfiction author, and within 60 seconds they would say her name. Not because they loved daytime TV, but because Oprah
Every year, during the week of the winter solstice, something subtle shifts in the early morning hours. I notice it the moment I wake up. The darkness feels different somehow. It’s still deep and quiet, but not heavy the way it is earlier in December.
The Solstice Reset for Experts Who Are Authors 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 »
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 »
I recently presented a webinar consisting of the five biggest media mistakes authors make. Of course, there are more than five, but we focused on a few of the most common mistakes, which can also be corrected. Mistake #1 is leading with your book rather
The Danger of Saying Yes to Everything Read More »
I was recently asked to do a webinar on the 5 Biggest Media Mistakes Authors Make (and what to do instead) for the Nonfiction Authors Association. Last week, I wrote about Mistake #1, which is here in case you missed it. Today, let’s focus on
Why Your Pitch Fell Flat (Hint: It’s Not About You) Read More »