Tag Archive for: author

Finding Non-Fiction Hooks in Fiction for Content

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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A few months ago, I led the Media Pitch Lab, a course to help authors craft effective pitches. And I realized that a lot of fiction authors were struggling to come up with effective hooks. The solution? Thinking about the audience. When it comes to creating your own content as well as pitching the media, you need to be thinking about your audience and how you can offer something of value to them. 

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Repurpose Your Content

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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Do you follow writers and experts who are always posting content, publishing blogs, and sharing videos?

And do you wonder where they get the time to create it all? Well, they’re got a little secret. And I’m going to let you in on it so you can use it too.

Here’s the trick: They repurpose content.

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Tell The Media Who You Are!

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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One of the most common misconceptions about the media is that they’ll come to you. And they might… so you should be ready. But actually, the opposite is true. As an author or expect, you have to tell the media who you are. 

How can you do that?

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Preparing for Conferences As a Speaker

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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Whether you’re presenting at an in-person conference or leading a virtual workshop, the secret to a successful talk comes down to one thing: preparation.

I’ve learned this firsthand after speaking at events for years now. From in-person events like the Writer’s Digest Conference to virtual presentations at the Willamette Writers Conference, I’ve been giving talks about productivity and media training to audiences across the country. 

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How to Know You’re Ready for Media

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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Whether it’s a podcast interview, a TV appearance, or a feature in a print publication, authors need the media to connect with readers. The media is how people find you and your writing.

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Author Hack: Interview Yourself via Video

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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Interviewing yourself on camera is a hack for authors and experts that I recommend to clients all the time — because I do it myself! When it comes to sharing your expertise, self-interviewing can be a game changer. It’s one of the most efficient and effective ways to get your message out clearly and on your own terms.

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Using Video to Connect with Agents and Editors

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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Trend Alert: Video queries to literary agents and book editors are gaining traction, especially for non-fiction authors. 

Using video to query agents and book editors will become increasingly popular! There I said it! Video is such a powerful tool for building a following and engaging with the media. So why not use it to query agents and book editors?

Turns out — some authors are already creating short videos to go in query letters to agents and editors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to share your personality and stand out. I’ve helped my media-training clients create videos for sales teams for their book once it’s sold, but what about using it earlier in the process? 

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Media Trainer vs. Publicist: How We Complement Each Other and Are Different

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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I’m a media trainer.

That means I work with authors and experts to help them communicate their message to their audience.

Together, we work on defining a message and a narrative that will capture their audience’s attention. This helps authors get (and keep!) media attention and reach the people who need to hear what they have to say. 

Lots of people think media training and publicity are one and the same.

But the job of a publicist is distinct. As an author, it’s important to know the difference. Once you know what each one does, you can create a media plan that draws on the resources of both jobs. I’ve worked with publicists for years as a senior television producer when they would pitch their authors to me. And now as a media training we team up again so I can help get their authors ready for primetime interviews. 

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about media trainers and public:

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5 Things Never To Say in An Interview

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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As an author, appearing in the media is a key opportunity to promote your book, share your insights, and connect with your audience. However, there are certain things you should avoid saying in an interview — these no-nos can derail your message or even alienate potential readers and fans. 

When I work with clients on media training, there are a few things that always come up that I recommend authors stop saying right away. 

Here are five things to stop saying in interviews (and what to say instead!). 

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1. “Thank you.”

Yep — this one comes as a shocker to most people. But saying “thank you” constantly is one of my biggest pet peeves. 

It usually goes like this: the interviewer asks the expert a question, and the expert responds by saying something like, “Thank you for having me” or “Thank you for asking me that question.” 

Agh! I always wish I could tell them to cut it out. It’s not a matter of being rude. I know we’re socialized to say “thank you” all the time, but it’s a bad habit when you’re appearing as an expert. We already know you’re thankful to be there — and talking about it is wasting precious time. You could be using that time to get your message across — a message that can help people. 

TV news moves fast, don’t waste time! 

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How to Handle Unexpected Questions in a Media Interview

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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Doing media interviews is an exercise in accepting the unknown. You need to accept that as much as you prepare, you won’t be able to predict every single thing that happens.

The best way to prepare for media interviews is to decide beforehand how you’re going to handle unexpected questions. This is half a mental game (how will you respond with grace?) and half about preparing for the kinds of pushback you’re likely to encounter. 

Because while your goal is to put yourself out there and share your message with your audience, that doesn’t mean everyone will respond to your content the same way.

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