Think like a producer – translating your book to the plasma screen
Three out of four authors I work with at HCI just know that their book is PERFECT for Oprah. “Really, it is!” You don’t say. How about a little math problem to start the day: Multiply five shows a week times fifty two. You get 260 shows, and given that they re-run programming, that number is grossly inflated. Even so, with several hundred thousand books published a year, the odds are discouraging.
Are you depressed yet?
Don’t be. First of all, even though Oprah is the best tv vehicle for your book, hands down, there are other tv outlets which can showcase your book. The trick is, rather than simply visualizing yourself on a tv show, it’s wise to think like a producer and prepare your pitch in their language. Their language is largely in pictures.
Taking the written page and translating into visual imagery is not so easy. Then simplifying it to either a three-to-five minute piece or if you’re very lucky, ten-to- twenty takes work. If it’s a straight interview then your preparation is less about visuals. But, be prepared still. In all cases content is key.
Some authors have the luxury of working with media trainers. (Joel Roberts is by far, my media trainer of choice). They will help you extract the salient points of your book that are media worthy, teach you how to package them in the infamous “sound byte” format, and have you looking and sounding like a movie star. I always ask my authors to prepare a question and answer piece from which radio and tv show hosts can work during their interviews. (Always make it easy for a producer – and, believe me, they are notorious for not reading your book) I always frame the assignment by saying, “think of what you’d like the media to ask you.” Take control where you can.
That’s the short story.
Oh, most important, before you do any of this. Make sure you have a current and decent quality video of yourself. No, not with your kids in the backyard pool. The best choice is an already televised interview but if you don’t have one, there are many ways to get something that will work. Given the wild west nature of the internet, God bless it, you now have another valuable publicity tool in your arsenal with or without the tv booking. Can you say YouTube?.
When planning your pitch for the longer form shows, like Oprah, your pitch should be succinct but it should “move.” Rarely does a producer put an author on for a one to one interview for an extended time. Charlie Rose is a rare case these days as is BookTV. (Congratulations if you get booked on either of these!)
Again, think in pictures.
Who and what do you need to make your story appealing? And, can it be done in a studio? Do you have background video footage (b roll) that they can run while telling your story? These are all questions you should ask yourself. Keep pondering how it will look. “I have a great book and this is what it’s about” is a yawner to any producer.
I’m going to sign off now and return at a later date with more specifics about preparing a tv pitch. (one of the most prepared, creative authors I’ve worked with for tv appearances is none other than Christopher Hopkins aka The Makeover Guy – as seen on both Oprah AND The Today Show – maybe he’ll give a seminar one day!)
If you have great idea, noteworthy experience or have questions, please enter them in the comment area. I love to hear from you.
Now, go ahead, get that video together!
p.s. and, heck, if you can’t get your book on tv, you may think about a career in television producing!
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Thank you, thank you, thank you. This has been VERY helpful as I read the entire article in five minutes. (This was difficult, seeing as my 7 year old kept interrupting me.) The information provided had me reach for a pen and paper to write down the suggestions you posted. I’m a three time author, two out now (I self published) and another one in two weeks. I’ve had several speaking engagements and “meet and greets,” as well as teach the Law of Attraction. I’ve had two TV interviews with a local TV station and I can’t seem to find my footing to make it. Thank you so much for helping me feel better and decide what I need to do next to make this a success.
Debbie