Oprah is a queen and no one can say a bad word about her. But the story of her last year – the first year when she left network TV to start her OWN network, is instructive. She lost her base. You’d think her loyal followers of 20 years would follow her to cable, but they didn’t. Why? Doesn’t everyone have cable? Is it too hard to switch from Channel 4 to Channel 400 (or … [Read more...]
How to Get Booked on Oprah
Most people believe that getting on Oprah will make them a millionaire, their book a bestseller or their business boom. For your career to take-off like the last space shuttle, you must prepare to make the most of your appearance. Here are some hot tips to help you get invited as a guest on the show, rivet your audience on the air, and ultimately sell yourself along with your … [Read more...]
Get on ‘Oprah’ via O Magazine
The big mistake most people make when trying go get onto "Oprah" is failing to understand that their product, service, cause or issue isn't a perfect match with Oprah's audience. Day after day, I see people with academic topics, or products for the corporate suite, or services for niche audiences trying to compete with the gazillion other Publicity Hounds who are pitching … [Read more...]
Bad Publicity
I've thought about it, you bet I have. Hang gliding naked into the Super Bowl, faking my own death, hacking off a body part and sending it to Oprah. Back in the day, they called them publicity stunts. Today, it's just another form of marketing. Pretend to send your kid up in a hot air balloon one day, score a six figure book deal the next. Go on a fertility … [Read more...]
Can You Get Me on Oprah?
As publicists, the number one question we get is: "Can you get me on Oprah?" Or, clients give us a declarative statement: "The only thing I want is to get on Oprah!" Here are some insights on the "Big O" which might help put the Queen of all Media in perspective as it relates to book promotion. Oprah certainly is the gold standard of book publicity; an appearance on her … [Read more...]
What to Expect When Your Book is Published
Understand what to expect in the publishing process. Try not to get stars in your eyes. The following tips might help keep you grounded. Keep in mind that every author can't be on Oprah! or The Today Show. Know that not every publishing house pays huge advances. Don't name the amount you'd like for an advance, and don't be offended if an independent press doesn't offer … [Read more...]
Before Oprah – 5 Tips for PR Professionals Who’ve Struck Gold
The following is for hard working PR professionals and those who strive to promote their own work. When that golden day comes, and a producer or journalist calls you and says, "you're going to be on the XYZ show," or "you're going to be featured in XYZ," it pays to be ready with the appropriate media materials, and followup plan... but for those initial moments of utter joy … [Read more...]