Several years ago, I was on a call with a morning show producer, discussing potential guests for an upcoming segment on workplace wellness. I had a few ideas in mind, and I pitched one of my authors—a smart, seasoned expert with great stories and real presence.
The producer paused.
“She sounds interesting,” she said. “But can she actually talk to people?”
I laughed—then realized she wasn’t joking.
“She can’t just give me a TED Talk,” the producer added. “Can she have a conversation? Can she land a point in 20 seconds and not sound rehearsed? Can she react if something goes sideways?”
This wasn’t about credentials. It wasn’t about the book. It was about chemistry. Energy. The ability to show up as a person, not as someone delivering a one-sided presentation.
But have you ever tried answering a big question in under 20 seconds? It’s not as easy as some people make it look, right?
And that’s what many authors don’t realize: media pros aren’t just booking experts. They’re booking guests—people who bring clarity, warmth, and maybe even a little sparkle to the table.
What the media wishes you knew is this:
- Your tone matters just as much as your topic.
- Your timing matters just as much as your title.
- Being a Media Darling isn’t about being flashy—it’s about being prepared, present, and relatable.
It’s about being real. Real yet poised and energetic.
The author I pitched? She got the segment. But only after I sat with her, practiced short-form answers, and helped her reframe her content as a conversation—not a monologue. She did great and she totally nailed it.
Bottom line
The win wasn’t just about what she said—it was about how she said it. That’s the kind of preparation most people never see—but the media always notices.
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. It’s about energy! Let’s go!
P.S.S. I’m delighted to share that I’m speaking at the Nonfiction Writers Conference May 7–9—one of my favorite events for nonfiction authors!
With keynote speaker Roxane Gay, live agent pitches, one-on-one consults, and sessions on publishing, book publicity, and platform building… this is the place to grow your author career.
Join me!
Hope to see you there! #NonfictionWriters #AuthorLife #BookMarketing
#mediaenergy
#mediadarling
#bookmarketing
#bookpublicity
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