Archive for Reach Out To Producers
How To Get TV Publicity for Your Book BEFORE it Hits the Bookstores
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s no secret that writing your book is actually NOT
the hardest part of the publishing process, it’s actually
promoting it that will take up the bulk of your time and
energy.
With the anticipation of my new book, Give Yourself Credit
due to release in Fall 2009 I wanted to be sure that I began
to put my book out there for some pre-publicity awareness,
even before you can purchase it anywhere.
The results have been great!
Last week my book was highlighted on the new FOX reality
show “Wedlock or Deadlock” and yesterday I appeared on
The Today Show (NBC) sharing the panel with David Bach,
another author who knows a thing or two about publicity.
How did I do this?
Well, the answer is actually simpler than you might think, but
the key to your success lies in something you’ve heard it a
million times before, but it’s worth repeating…
“You’ve gotta have a plan man…”
The “build it and they’ll buy it ” model is nothing more than a
foolish wish, the truth is you not only have to “build it” but
you’ve got to let people know it exists and provide compelling
reasons for them to want to buy it.
It’s been almost 4 years since I wrote, published and promoted
my last book so I’m excited to embark on this journey, besides
when you create a demand for your books people and publishers
take notice and that leads to profits!
So, each week I’ll be revealing a couple of things you can do to
get publicity for your book BEFORE it hits the bookstores!
Starting with …
1. Get the cover completed and printed quickly.
I’ve found that not only does a completed cover (at least the front)
inspire you to get the book done, but it also allows you to start
showing it off to the people who are most likely want to read it and
the awareness of having “seen” it before has a tremendous impact
on their desire to buy it.
2. Create your own blog
You are the expert on the topic of your book so began to act like it,
take themes and concepts from your book and expand on them in your
blog. Don’t be afraid of “giving away” information you want to share
what you know, when you do more people will be exposed to your ideas
and ultimately your book.
3. Reach out to producers
Pitching producers is just as much a science as it is an art, but what
you’ve got to remember when you are trying to get coverage for your
book is that it’s actually not about your book. That might sound crazy
but it’s true. Producers want to know about the content of the book and
how it can add value to their viewers.
Think about the ways you can make your book come to life by offering
useful tips, proven strategies, helpful ideas, and a perspective or point
of view that can offer the person watching an answer to a question,
validation for a decision they need to make, or new information that
can help them take some sort of action that will lead to a positive result.
Your book is already packed with great information and a powerful
message, your job is to market the message to the media so that
you’ll be granted the opportunity to promote your book.
If you want to know how to do this effectively you might want to
consider my TV Publicity Secrets
system to discover how to put the Media STARR strategy to work
for your message, business, book and brand.
The bottom line is plan to promote your book early, often and in
multiple ways so that you get the benefit of being already on the
radar of your target audiences mind before the book ever hits the
bookstore.
TV Publicity Tip: How to Repeat the TV Publicity Process to Get More
Posted by: | CommentsThursday, April 23rd marked my 30th appearance on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, on FOX.
30th appearance on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, FOX
WOW, how time flies!
It honestly feels like just a little while ago when I walked through the studio doors for the first time. The M&J Show was only the third national television show I’d appeared on and I was excited to be given the opportunity after one of the shows Associate Producers found me by Googling “financial expert.”
When I decided to add TV Publicity to my marketing plan just about 18 months ago, I set a goal not just to make one television appearance, but to repeatedly get booked TV. Now I’ve appeared on close to 100 television talk shows and news programs!
Television publicity, like all types of marketing, requires repetition to be fully effective. In fact, “The Rule of 7″ says it may take up to 7 impressions before a potential customer will take notice of you and then take action. (No you know why McDonald’s runs the same commercial so many times!)
Of course there are exceptions to that rule, and the power of TV publicity has a strong. Many of my clients that I help promote their message, book, business, and brand on TV have seen boosts in book sales, no resistance to higher client fees, and other fantastic results after just one TV appearance.
Matthew Sapula has used my TV Publicity Secrtes strategies to land more than 15 television appearances! Just recently he appeared on Chicago's NBC5 where he was interviewed by Kim Vatis
However, knowing that we live in a “noisy world,” I make it a point to “continue the conversation” in as many formats as possible so that I will have the best chance of being heard.
The same should be true for you and your publicity efforts. What is your strategic plan for repeatedly getting in front of the people who need to hear what you have to say?
Being on TV one time may not be enough to get you the long-term business benefits you’re going after, for that matter neither would sending out just one email, or making just one blog post. Repetition is the key to maximum exposure and success.
The bottom line is, whatever type of marketing you commit to, commit to it so that you can see how one success builds on another. Then when the momentum picks up…hang on for the ride and the results!
So how can you “Repeat the TV Publicity Process to Get More”?
Keep in Contact with Producers to Stay On Their Radar
Whether you’re instantly asked back on a show, or are simply remaining committed to building a relationship with producers, choose a date to reconnect at least once every 21 to 25 days.
Stay on a producers radar by reconnecting with them regularly
Be sure to know what’s happening in the media relating to your industry/topic, and monitor what they’re covering on their show, so that you can send a quick e-mail about a segment idea that you may have. Regularly surf the Internet for interesting topic ideas and share those as well.
I followed this mode of relationship building and turned one national television appearance into 30 - and that’s just on one show!
Want even more proven TV publicity strategies? Get them now at http://www.TVPublicitySecrets.com and put the power of publicity to work for your message, book, business, and brand.
Can’t wait to see you on TV!
TV Publicity Tip: The Power of Being Pleasantly Persistent
Posted by: | CommentsIn my TV Publicity Secrets System, each of the 5 Media STARR Strategies are explained in great detail. The 4th strategy, “Reach Out To Producers,” focuses on how to develop lasting relationships with key members of the media.
Whenever I am making contact with producers I practice the same strategies I teach my clients and include in the Television Publicity Secrets Manual because they work. Last week I was excited to see the “pleasantly persistent” principle put into action when I got called to do a segment on CBN TV.
The Christian Broadcasting Network has been on my media wish list for almost a year. I grew up watching shows like, “The 700 Club” and as someone who is passionate about my faith it was an honor to share my money tips with the Christian community.
How did I go from having CBN TV on my wish list to getting booked for a segment?
Well, that’s where practice of pleasant persistence comes into play. From all the pitches I’ve submitted, shows I’ve contacted, and producers I’ve worked; if there’s one thing I’ve learned about pitching producers, it’s that, “No never means NO.” Often it simply means not now.
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- CBN TV Washington, DC
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- CBN Studios Control Room
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- CBN TV Washington, DC
This is indeed good news; however it is not an invitation to be overbearing or verging on stalking producers when following up with producers.
Your pitch could receive a “NO” today, tomorrow and even next month; but it could also be just the thing a producer calls you for when you least expect it. You could be the next “perfect guest” on any given segment or show. You never know – and neither do producers.
That’s exactly what happened in the case of CBN, after making contact with the Associate Producer and sending several pitches, there just didn’t seem to me one that she could settle on.
But then last week, the perfect opportunity came when one of the reporters from CBN News was doing a piece on understanding credit from a Christan perspective and the Associate Producer that I have been in contact with for several months passed my information along as the “perfect guest.”
I got a call from the reporter and I was booked on the spot!
So, you need to continue to stay in touch with producers because the success of a good TV segment depends on having people who know how to deliver valuable content to their viewers. When you have faithfully stayed in touch with a producer by sending them relevant and timely pitches, they will remember them and you. The bottom line is, you never know at what point you will prove to be an asset to them.
Want to move a show from your “wish list” to your booked list? Then always look for opportunities to follow-up with the media, and practice being pleasantly persistent.
Producers who have been in this business for any length of time will generally agree that even if your pitch doesn’t work when it is initially delivered, that decision could change very quickly; and usually it does.
Can’t wait to see YOU on TV!
Have a question about using TV publicity to promote your message, book, business or brand? Ask me now at http://www.AskSanyika.com
TV Publicity Tip: Getting What You Want By Giving Producers What They Want
Posted by: | CommentsWhat’s better than having your name in “lights?”
How about having it on a site that’s seen by the 100,000,000+ viewers of a national TV show!
Home page of The Morning Show on FOX promoting my TV appearance
When you use TV publicity to add value to the viewers and give the producer what they want - a great show with an “edu-tainment” factor - then in return you get what you want…
… to promote your message, book, business, and brand on TV so that you can sell more books, attract more clients, and gain the visibility and creditability you deserve.
Want to make a TV producer’s job easier?
Sure you do.
Here’s how….
Make sure your pitch has at least 2 of the 5 core ingredients of a great segment:
1. Timely - Make a tie-in to what the media is already covering. Connect what you do, with what they want to know more about.
2. Relevant - “Know the show,” that’s the mantra of the media, be sure that your segment idea is appealing to the target audience of the show you’re pitching it to.
3. Controversial/Conversational - Going against the grain can earn you on-camera time. But don’t try to be controversial just for argument sake, be sure that you can give solid reasons for the point of view you’re presenting.
4. Compelling/Interesting - Make the producer (and therefore the viewers) care about what they’re seeing/hearing. Human interest is a powerful way to create a compelling television segment.
5. Visually Appealing - Television is a visual medium so the more you can “show and tell” the easier it is to convey your points to the people watching. Think of fun ways you can bring the idea you’re pitching to life with props, demos and samples if possible.
Strive to include 2 to 3 of these elements in your next pitch and you’ll get what you want - invited to appear on a television show and free publicity - when you give producers what they want - valuable information they can share with their viewers. It’s a total WIN-WIN.
Have a question about using TV publicity to promote your message, book, business or brand? Ask me now at http://www.AskSanyika.com
The Show Must Go On and I’d Like to Thank the Academy…
Posted by: | Comments=============================
Why You’ve Gotta Be Media Ready Already
=============================
I’ve been TV a time or two, so I know the mantra
“the show must go on.”
Quite simply it means that unless you’re passed out,
are unable to speak, or have keeled over than the
segment that you are scheduled to be on will go on
as planned.
Don’t like the way your hair looks?…too bad, Can’t
get the mustard stain off your tie?… cover it with the
mic… Afraid you’ll forget your talking points?… then
you’ll just have to wing it cuz we’re on in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
“…And welcome back to the show…”
…the cheerful host chirps.
That’s the reality of live TV which is why it’s so important
to know what you need to do immediately AFTER you
get the producer to bite on your pitch and BEFORE
you’re looking into the camera at millions of potential
readers, clients and prospects for what you have to offer
MORE ON THAT IN A MOMENT…
==================================
A Not So “Good Problem” to Have
==================================
Yesterday I hosted my “How To Make TV Producers Love You”
teleseminar where I grilled (Um. I mean…interviewed) former
TV producer turned media trainer Jess Todtfeld.
From the moment I started promoting the call it was
received with LOTS of interest. The registrations started
rolling in quickly, and there were people from as far away
as New Zealand who’d opted in to participate.
* Notifications sent via autoresponder - CHECK
* Call in details provided - CHECK
* Links to website working - CHECK
* Talking points for the call printed - CHECK
Everything was going according to plan, but alas…
I’d spent so much time promoting the call that I failed to do
one NOT so TINY thing… fully test that the conference line
worked!
So the paid conference line that I was using for my very
full …
“We-Can’t-Wait-To-Make-TV-Producers-Fall-In-Love-With-Us”
teleseminar posted a message that my subscription had
expired and was turning callers away!
OMG…How AWFUL?!…
==================================
And We’re Live…Cue to MediaSTARR… Hello? Anyone!
==================================
Just moments before the call was scheduled to start
I’m on the line with customer service trying to figure out
what went wrong, who to blame, and how we could fix
the problem like… 5 MINUTES AGO!
Well it turns out that I was to blame (ACK!) appearently
they’d sent me an email to update my card on file, but I
musta missed that one. Ooppsee!
My VERY BIG bad…
By now I’ve got Jess calling my cell phone to make sure
I’m not in the bathroom (you’ve gotta listen to the call
replay to get it! ☺)
Plus my buddy’s Andy, Kevin, and about a gazillion people
start sending me DMs on Twitter and posts on my FB page
and filling in box with, “Do I have the right access code?”
emails…
Meanwhile my VA is somewhere between a cold sweat
and a heart attack trying to come up with a band-aid to
put on the problem that needs open heart surgery.
Are you starting to get the not so pretty picture I was
forced to look at?
It’s now 4 minutes AFTER the scheduled start time and
the situation seems to be going from bad to worse by the
second …
SO WHAT THE HECK DO I DO NOW??!!
==================================
The Show Must Go On and I’d Like to Thank the Academy…
==================================
Thankfully my Virtual Assistant had a moment of clarity and
reminded me that I had access to a free conference service
that I could use.
I pulled up the new call details and made a few quick posts
on Twitter and FB with the new call info.
And I asked everyone who’d put out an AWOL ALERT to please
RT to help me get the word out quick - as I grabbed my landline
and jumped on the call.
In what I hope was a “non-phased” tone I welcomed the
few callers who were already starting to dial in and let them know
that we’d start in just a few moments but not before I made one
final request for them to RT the new info
♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•
This is where I take a moment to publicly acknowledge
the COUNTLESS PEOPLE who Showed me much ♥ and
patience - You ALL totally ROCK!
♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•♦♣•♠◘•
And with that… the call kicked into high gear as Jess turned on
the publicity power full blast.
==================================
Betcha Can’t Eat Just One!
==================================
Jess gave everyone who called in LOTS of little “nuggets”
that they could eat up and apply immediately to get TV
producers and members of the media to love them.
From the “2 sentence phone script” to the “3 groups you’ve
always got to serve” Jess held nothing back as he shared
stories from his days as a national TV producer to drive
home key points like …
* If you don’t know the show you’re pitching your just being a pest
* Your job as a guest expert is to make the producers job easier
* The importance of making sure your pitches make sense
* How to get real results from your media appearances - every time
* How to tie your pitch to a timely or hot topic news story
AND
* He gave the obvious but worth mentioning reminder that
“producers are people too” so approach them with intentions of
developing a relationship not just dumping as much info as you
can on them…
I have to tell you that although I’ve been on TV close to 100
times now - even I was taking pages of notes!
In fact, I stopped counting how many tasty morsels of info
were coming our way and just tried to keep up so that I could
recap all that he’d shared.
But it’s a good thing you don’t have to rely on my memory or
the notes that I scribbled because a REPLAY IS AVAILABLE
So if you want to hear this rapid-fire-fast-pace-apply-it-right-now
teleseimar than just go to:
==> http://www.TVPublicityWorkshop.com
and enter your first name + email address for INSTANT
access to this replay AUDIO plus a VIDEO.
Both will give you a TON of tips for becoming a guest expert
that producers will want to book, ask back, and help promote
your message, book, business, and brand on TV.
==================================
Dark Knight … Silver Lining
==================================
To quote the “Joker” from the movie “Batman- Dark Knight”
“What doesn’t kill ya makes you STRANGER!…”
So the strange thing was - what seemed like a nightmare
that I wanted to escape - turned out better than OK!
I gained 91 new followers (and counting) on Twitter because
of all the RT chatter about the call…
23 more people jumped on the teleseminar that may have
never otherwise know about it…
Plus, I’ll get to hang out with some great people that’ll be
joining me and Jess in New York March 25-27th for the
3-day VIP Media STARR Treatment and TV Publicity
Workshop.
And, there’s still time for YOU to join us in the media capital
of the world and experience New York City Media STARR
style!
==================================
Wanna Come Experience New York City Media STARR Style?
==================================
Here’s just a sampling of what’s in store for you …
** Get priority seating as a member of the
studio audience and participate in a live
television talk show happening in real time.
** Build an easy-to-execute media strategy
to attract more clients, sell more books,
and increase your creditability.
** Eliminate your fears of being on-camera,
and reduce the tension of delivering your
talking points so that you respond to every
media exposure opportunity like a pro.
** Private, small group dinner with a current
national TV show producer
** Discover how to turn millions of dollars in
free publicity into pure profit for your business!
PLUS, as a participant in the 3-day TV Publicity
Workshop you will also receive:
** Television Publicity Secrets Marketing System
** 30-day unlimited email consultation after the
workshop
* * Audio recordings of your live interactive Media
STARR group coaching session
** One year unrestricted access to the “Online Media
Training School”
AND SO MUCH MORE…
Get the full TV Publicity Workshop details and
registration information when you enter your first
name + email address here:
==> http://www.TVPublicityWorkshop.com
==================================
Stories From the Stage
==================================
Jess and I had the chance to reconnect after the call and
in his usual wit and wisdom he mentioned that this would be
something that I can laugh about later - even if it doesn’t
seem all that funny now (spoken like a former comedian!)
It reminded me of a phrase a mentor of mine once helped
me coin, he said, “Sanyika chalk it up as just another story
from the stage…”
What he was referring to of course is my opportunity to
tell the story the next time I got in front of an audience
who would undoubtedly be able to relate to what I’d been
through.
Transparency is a crazy kind of connector when you’re
willing to just tell your truth out loud - plus the truth is
usually 10Xs stranger than fiction!
Besides life has a way of ruffling the feathers of even the
most unflappable of us.
So the next time life takes you on an unwelcome detour,
go with it…it’s just another story from the stage because
the show must go on!
I hope that you’ll choose to join me in New York next week!
I guarantee you’ll get tremendous value for your investment
and the tools to grow your biz with millions of dollars in free
TV publicity:
==> http://www.TVPublicityWorkshop.com
Can’t wait to see YOU on TV.
Sanyika
(@MediaSTARR on Twitter)
BTW…if anything about this post added a little value or
humor to your day, I’d love you to:
A) Leave me a comment
B) Share it with someone else
Have a question about using TV publicity to promote your message, book, business or brand? Ask me now at http://www.AskSanyika.com
3 Reasons “Recession” Equals More TV Publicity Opportunities
Posted by: | CommentsIn case you didn’t get the memo, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch is on “hiatus until the economy gets better…” what that means in plain English is that NBC, like all of the other television networks are implementing layoffs, cutting costs, and reevaluating their programming.
It also means that those of us who are qualified to be booked as guest experts on the show won’t have that particular spotlight shine on us for a while.
But, as silly as it might seem to shelve a show about the American Dream and entrepreneurial spirit during a down economy it is also an opportunity in disguise.
As with most of the lemons we are handed in life, we can either pucker our lips and pout, or we can make a nice cool glass of lemonade. I’m pouring me a big glass, would you like some?
In the land of television, the undying mantra is “the show must go on, ” so despite the fact that not every show will continue, television won’t ever cease to exist. For every one TV talk show or news program that won’t air again, there are dozens more that will and they still need guest experts!
In fact, now more than ever TV producers are going to need, seek out, and even demand that the guest experts they book on their shows are “media ready.”
Imagine you’re a busy television producer charged with filling 60 minutes of air time broken down into 5 segments, equaling 5 shows a week. That’s 25 segments to produce…
And oh, by the way, your Associate Producer was one of the people laid off to cut costs. But you are still charged with delivering a high-quality show and booking an adequate number of TV guests.
Impossible? Maybe, if you’ve never done it. But I’ve worked with a lot of producers who’ve done more with a lot less.
This recession equals even more TV publicity opportunities for you because,
- Television talk shows and news programs are always in need of fresh content to attract viewers. As the expert in your field you have the ability to offer exactly what they’re looking for.
- As your target audience looks to save and conserve, they are turning to trusted sources (i.e. TV talk shows, news programs) to offer unbiased suggestions and provide real solutions. You can illustrate key points using your book/product as an example.
- Television production staffs are going to have to do more with less human resources. The more you stand out, get a producers attention, and demonstrate that you understand their dilemma by offering your support to a segment. The more valuable you become to a producer.
Needless to say, you (Mr. or Ms. Guest Expert) would seem like “a glass of water in the desert” if you called with the intention of pitching a time-crunched, overwhelmed TV producer with a show idea that was…
- timely
- relevant
- controversial
- compelling/interesting, or
- visually appealing
…plus, you were able to communicate in a clear, quick and concise manner why you’d be a great addition to their show and how you can add value to their viewers.
So, if you want to be a producers ally here are 2 simple things you can do right now:
1. Discover instantly if you have what it takes to get booked on TV talk shows and news programs
2. Learn how you can get millions of dollars worth of television publicity to promote your message, book, business, and brand - even in a “recession.”
See YOU on TV!
Oh, and if you’re a Big Idea fan, sign the petition to bring Donny back!
What’s your question about how TV Publicity can help you grow your business? Ask me now at http://www.AskSanyika.com
The One Phrase Producers Hate to Hear That Could Mean TV Face Time for You
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes you miss the things that are the most obvious because they seems way to - well, obvious.
I am guilty of doing this from time to time, but I’ve gotten a bit wiser about it when it comes to pitching producers at the perfect time.
The phrase, “slow news day/week” is not a welcome one among producers, in fact they hate to hear it because it essentially means they have a show to fill and nothing to fill it with. This is bad news for them, but great news for you if you know how to take advantage of it.
Consider slow news days a form of second chances for stories that might not have made the news before - not because the story wasn’t good but because there were other competing factors at play - but can now actually find their way on the airwaves.
This applies mainly to television news, but can be tailored to TV talk shows, radio shows and newspapers as well, just be sure to keep your eyes open for the possibility of a slow news day/week in advance and be sure to have your pitches ready.
If you watch the news carefully you’ll notice that the majority of the stories covered are about the government in some form or another be it court rulings, changes in public policy, schools under scrutiny or government officials at the state, local and national levels.
The media spends a large chunk of time covering government related topics. So what is a producer to do when schools are closed and the government becomes a ghost town?
Well, that’s where you come in, because if you know the slow days/weeks in advance you can plan your pitch to land on the producers desk at the perfect moment. Heck, you might even magically get them on the phone!
Go online and search for federal and state holidays, grab a calendar to track all of the national and state holidays and be sure to mark the day before and the day after as potential slow news days as well because historically government officials don’t make news leading into and coming out of a holiday. This exercise will give you more than a handful of dates on which you could get free publicity for your business.
Now before you think your story is an absolute shoe-in for the six-o-clock news, you’ll have to do some work to make sure that what you’re pitching will be of benefit to the viewers. Don’t attempt to use this media trump card as an excuse to be lazy. Your reputation is still on the line and the coverage you get is valuable no matter when you get it so be professional and provide value.
One really obvious slow news week that publicity seekers tend to overlook is the time between Christmas and New Year, it might take some juggling between your family and other holiday commitments but pitching something newsworthy that week could be a wonderful way to get your foot in the door and your face on television.