Jordan spoke at the May meeting of the Publishers Association of Los Angeles. She stated that one of the mistakes that writers make is waiting until their books are published before pursuing the media when the reality is that the producers need a six-month lead time.
Another mistake is pitching the book when they should be pitching themselves. Major publishers also make this mistake, she said, which leaves their authors out of the TV show promotional loop.
She made these 5
major points to cover for a quality pitch:
1. What is your story?
TV producers want the author’s story. What is going on in the news that relates to that? The story-telling aspect should be multi-dimensional and everlasting and should fit several areas. Develop 5-6 speaking points.
2. Develop a hook around your expertise
TV producers want the author’s story. What is going on in the news that relates to that? The story-telling aspect should be multi-dimensional and everlasting and should fit several areas. Develop 5-6 speaking points.
2. Develop a hook around your expertise
·
Current events
Perhaps your book has to do with a foreign country or a situation that is currently taking place.
· Holidays
Perhaps your book has to do with a foreign country or a situation that is currently taking place.
· Holidays
If
you have written a book that has to do with relationships, think about pitching
a topic for a show that will air around Valentine’s Day.
· Anniversaries
· Anniversaries
A book with a
military setting or about the military, for example, would be perfect for a
topic around Veterans’ Day or Pearl Harbor Day.
· Birthdays
· Birthdays
Interesting tidbits
about an historical figure would be a great pitch for a booking around this
person’s birthday.
· Celebrities
· Celebrities
Maybe your book is
about safety, and a recent celebrity suffered from a robbery or other crime. A
pitch on safety tips to avoid these issues would work well.
Perhaps your book is about the celebrity him- or herself. Pitch interesting facts that people don’t already know.
3. Develop a solid platform.
Perhaps your book is about the celebrity him- or herself. Pitch interesting facts that people don’t already know.
3. Develop a solid platform.
This
includes:
· Website
All three must have a uniform look. Include any media coverage of you or your work in all your social media and on your website. Jordan cited the example of one author who got 500 Twitter followers from one radio show.
One important point, she says, is that any material that is dated in content should be removed since relevancy is very important.
4. Have a professional headshot taken
· Website
· Blog
· Social media accounts
All three must have a uniform look. Include any media coverage of you or your work in all your social media and on your website. Jordan cited the example of one author who got 500 Twitter followers from one radio show.
One important point, she says, is that any material that is dated in content should be removed since relevancy is very important.
4. Have a professional headshot taken
This should be used
on all your media and in your media kit.
5. Be prepared for several interview styles.
5. Be prepared for several interview styles.
There are several
types of interviews:
· Sit-down Interview
· Sit-down Interview
This type is live or
live-to-tape. No one will edit what you say. You must be on your toes!
· Reality-Show Style
· Reality-Show Style
The interview is
conducted in your home.
· Demo Segment
· Demo Segment
Objects are used to
illustrate points.
· Satellite Interview
· Satellite Interview
You can’t see the
person or people who are interviewing you. You are looking at a wall. You have
to be good at this so that it isn’t obvious.
· Skype Style
· Skype Style
This is usually done
as a pre-interview. Most producers won’t put you on the air until they know you
are able to deliver what you promised. People have lost interviews based on not
looking at the camera but at themselves instead.
While
self-published books are often difficult to get on TV because the works are not
vetted, indie authors can get around this by promoting themselves as
subject-matter experts with stories that are relevant to the show. Then they
can mention the book.
Jordan stated that authors should do three things when on TV:
Jordan stated that authors should do three things when on TV:
1.
Come to the show
hair-and-make-up- ready.
This not only saves time, but some shows don’t offer these services. The author should not be caught short.
This not only saves time, but some shows don’t offer these services. The author should not be caught short.
2. Bring two outfits
The outfit you have
on may not be suitable for TV. Bring two changes of clothes.
3.
Hire a video
monitoring service
The author must pay to get the show recorded so that he/she has it forever. Otherwise, the link that he/she receives for the show will be to the show site only.
The author must pay to get the show recorded so that he/she has it forever. Otherwise, the link that he/she receives for the show will be to the show site only.
In order to build momentum, Jordan advised authors to say yes to all
media large or small. The content narrative has changed since
the election. Producers know what answers they want. Authors should be chockful
of ideas so the producers are impressed and will call you back.
Radio producers will ask for 20 questions. TV producers at the national level do not usually ask for any.
While it is possible for authors to get on national TV, it does take effort. The opportunity will not be handed to them. Jordan said they must follow the rule of 10%: 100 pitches for every 10 bookings. Authors should start with local markets and make a demo tape to use with larger ones.
Authors should send their book with their pitch to producers via FedEx, then call to see if it was received. If not, they should send it again and keep sending it until it gets noticed.
Be tenacious. Perseverance pays off!
Jordan has written a book called Get On TV!: The Insider’s Guide to Pitching the Producers and Promoting Yourself. (ISBN: 978-1-4002-0591-0, print edition, $15.99), which provides all the details for pitching to the media. A Kindle edition is also available for $9.99.
Radio producers will ask for 20 questions. TV producers at the national level do not usually ask for any.
While it is possible for authors to get on national TV, it does take effort. The opportunity will not be handed to them. Jordan said they must follow the rule of 10%: 100 pitches for every 10 bookings. Authors should start with local markets and make a demo tape to use with larger ones.
Authors should send their book with their pitch to producers via FedEx, then call to see if it was received. If not, they should send it again and keep sending it until it gets noticed.
Be tenacious. Perseverance pays off!
Jordan has written a book called Get On TV!: The Insider’s Guide to Pitching the Producers and Promoting Yourself. (ISBN: 978-1-4002-0591-0, print edition, $15.99), which provides all the details for pitching to the media. A Kindle edition is also available for $9.99.
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