Launching a book is thrilling. Lots of time, energy and thought goes into planning it. But that’s not the only day you should be thinking about.

You’re going to have that book for a long time. So although launch day is important, the real question is: How do you keep the book in the minds and in the mouths of people all over the world for a long time? It all starts way before your book is even written.

Start before your book exists.

Before you’ve even written a book, you can start by building a platform. This is how your future readers will find you.

Building a platform means putting yourself out there so the people who need to hear your message can find you. That means pitching as a subject matter expert. I did this a lot before my first book, Listful Thinking, was published. It meant I could back up my expertise when I was trying to find a publisher. And it meant I was ready to share my book when it came out.

When you’re building your platform, think about where your audience is likely to be—and go there. Pitching traditional media is important, but so is social media. And don’t forget about blogs, podcasts, and live-streaming shows! You can actually create an editorial calendar to keep yourself accountable. 

Once you have the book deal. 

Celebrate! This is a big moment. Then it’s time to sit down and set your media goals. It can often take a year or more from getting a book deal with a traditional publisher to the day of your book launch. You’ll need that time to plan a detailed strategy to connect with readers. 

One year before your book launch.

A year seems like a long time. In some ways it is—you can fit a lot of events, media, and content into a year. But it can also fly by if you don’t start planning. One year out is a good time to identify the outlets you want to be featured in. It’s also a good time to think about media training. It might take a little while to find a media trainer and actually get started, so you want to give yourself plenty of time. Or you could take a training course like mine called Media-Ready Author to get ready at your own pace. 

You’ll also want to start doubling down on your content calendar. Make a plan and stick to it! 

Six months before your book launch.

Think about what kinds of support you’ll need for the launch, such as a publicist or social media manager. Those people will help you start securing event dates for the launch period—both virtual and in person!

During this time, you’ll keep up your content creation schedule. It’s a good time to revisit your strategy. Where are people really engaging with your message? What posts aren’t getting as much attention? Use that feedback to tweak your strategy.

[Media-Savvy Author: How to Hire Professionals for Your Book Launch.]

Three months before your book launch.

Keep creating videos, blog posts, and social media content. This is the solid foundation of your author platform. Now is also the time to get more serious about pitching traditional media in conjunction with your book launch dates. 

Two months before your book launch.

Start thinking about your wardrobe, makeup, and overall presentation for your book launch events. Venues for your launch events should be booked at this point. Make sure to promote those events via your social media platforms. And start getting excited!

One month before your book launch.

The countdown has arrived. Self-care is key one month before your launch. You’ll want to keep up your schedule of interviews and content, but don’t neglect your basic needs. Get plenty of sleep and eat a balanced diet (which can be tricky if you’re traveling for events!). 

Speaking of events—if you’re traveling a lot, now is the time to concentrate on your packing and prep strategy. Layers, items that don’t wrinkle, and back-ups of everything you need are key. 

Day of your book launch.

Take a moment to breathe and take it all in. This is a big day! Bring yourself back to your “why” — the reason you wrote your book in the first place. Remember, sharing your thoughts and ideas with the world is a public service. Thinking about it like that can be very useful for the promotion process.

Keep the momentum going after your book launches.

When you’re in the book launch phase, you’re really invested in the book itself. That’s only natural. It should be the focus of attention at this point! But once your book is a few months old, you have to shift your focus and start to consider how your book can support you as an author and expert—not how you can support your book.

This does not mean you shouldn’t talk about your book. Of course you should! You just need to find new ways of framing and contextualizing how you talk about your book. The attention needs to be on how your knowledge (and by extension, your book) can solve problems or shift people’s mindsets.

The relationships you build with journalists, reporters, and producers are some of the best resources for you as you consider your post-launch strategy. Thank you notes (paper ones—yep!) go a long way in demonstrating your appreciation.

These really do make an impact on fostering positive relationships between you and members of the media. You can then leverage those relationships to pitch again from a new angle. 

You might be wondering what exactly you should pitch—how can you use your book as a jumping-off point that inspires the next stage of your media strategy?

Well, here’s a little secret: Everything you talk about doesn’t have to be in the book. In fact, it can actually be counterproductive to limit yourself to only things you covered in your book. You are an expert on a topic that includes what you talk about in your book. You can absolutely pitch on related areas within your expertise that didn’t fit into your book—and you should! This is essential to any sustainable media strategy. 

The post Media-Savvy Author: Setting Your Media Goals appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Whether you’re squeezing in writing sessions before work, during lunch breaks, or late at night, it’s possible to stay productive while juggling it all! It just means getting a little creative and being intentional about your routines. 

1. Harness your unique productivity style so writing fits into your real life.

Do you know your productivity style? One of the biggest hurdles people face when they’re trying to be more organized is figuring out what works for them.

Take note of how productive you feel in the morning, mid-day, and afternoon. For example, don’t become a morning person if you’re not one. Some people are night owls! Look for patterns—what time of day do you get into a good groove with writing?

Once you understand your productivity style, you can cater your work schedule around your needs. Maybe that means blocking off 20 minutes during lunch to write, or getting up a little earlier (or staying up later!). Being consistent with this routine is a must. The more you do it, the easier it’ll be to stick to it. 

Remember, paying attention to the way you work best (as well as what’s not working for you) is essential to harnessing your productivity style. This is especially true when writing is your side hustle rather than your 9–5. You have to be extra creative about carving out time, and not just any time, but a time that actually works for you.

2. Use time-saving techniques to streamline your to-do list.

If your to-do list is getting long and unmanageable, it’s probably not serving you anymore. In fact, an extra-long to-do list can do the opposite and actually undermine your best efforts to get things done. 

The first step is to recognize that your list-making strategy needs a reboot. I recently did an experiment with a new way of creating lists, and it made a huge difference for me. I was inspired by my friend and author Polly Campbell. She calls it the Bucket Method, and this is how it works:

Create Bucket: In the create bucket are your creative tasks. For example, if you’re writing a novel or short story, pick something that you can work on that day. Maybe that’s a chapter, an edit of one section, or brainstorming a new character.

Develop Bucket: The develop bucket goes for things you’re in the process of growing. It could be developing your business by coming up with ideas for new ways to get clients. Or maybe it means filming a video for social media or supporting other people in your field. Something where you’re developing your business or developing your craft through a class or writing group. 

Deadline Bucket: The last bucket is the deadline bucket. These are the things that have to get done today, full stop. These are the actual deadline-oriented things. Maybe you have to write an article or you have to review an article or you have to put your newsletter out. Those deadlines are not flexible, and this bucket helps you get them done on time. 

As an author, I can say definitively that the Bucket Method has helped me prioritize my creative tasks because I can see them right there. If your to-do list has been keeping you down, this reboot is worth a try!

3. Reduce stress and mental clutter, so you can write with a clear head.

Stress and mental clutter can invade your writing time and make it hard to focus on the task at hand. That’s why creating boundaries between your writing and your other work or home life are so key. I’d encourage you to look at your current workflow and determine where you might be able to build in some boundaries. 

If you find that work and personal tasks are overlapping with your writing in ways you’re uncomfortable with, setting boundaries can be as simple as communicating with colleagues and clients about when you’re available and when you’re not. 

There are lots of ways to reduce ambient stress, too. One that I like to do is called a Thimble List. It’s like a bucket list but for the small things! Thimble Lists are great for practicing gratitude. Is your morning coffee or tea the highlight of your day? Or walking your dog in the evening? Taking a long bath? 

Brainstorm a few things in your routine that are already making you feel happy.

Then think about why those things make you happy. These are things you can add to your Thimble List, such as “notice the trees changing on my walk” and “practice gratitude for the smell of my coffee.” This small shift can help you slow down and reduce stress, which gives you a fresh start when you get to work on writing. 

4. Capture Ideas in the Moment 

There’s nothing worse than having an idea and then losing track of it. Having pen and paper by your side isn’t always possible so I have a few tricks to grab ideas when they come to you. 

You can leave yourself a voicemail, voice memo, or even dictate an email to yourself if you’re on the go. Just make sure you know where to keep track of these items so they don’t disappear after you’ve grabbed them. I also have used WhisperMemos to record a voice memo that is transcribed instantly and sent to you via email. Sometimes when I’m sitting at my desk and I think of a concept I want to capture I will start a meeting with myself on Zoom and transcribe it and record using the Fathom app. This is great if you’re like me and need to sometimes talk through ideas before writing them out.

5. Create a portable, flexible writing space—even if you don’t have an office.

Having the perfect setting isn’t always possible, but you should stack the deck in your favor as much as you can. Consider the following questions to figure out what kind of work environment is best for you:

• How do you feel working in an open area with other people? 
• How do you feel working in a quiet place by yourself? 
• Where do you feel the most energized to get things done? (At home, at a café, outside, etc.) 
• What kind of lighting makes you feel ready to work? 
• What is the temperature in your ideal working location? 

Once you have answers to these questions, you can begin to design a workspace that meets your individual needs. And that doesn’t mean having an office! You can create a productive workspace in a kitchen, dining room, library, or café—it all depends on how you work best.

Use the answers from the questions above to guide your choice of workspace and think about what tools you need. Maybe that’s a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, a lamp, or a cozy sweater. Think of these as the building blocks that set you up for a productive work time. 

[Read more from Paula Rizzo on WD: Productivity hacks to write faster than ever.]

6. Bust distractions to make the most of the time you do have.

There are so many different kinds of distractions and they all work against your best efforts to stay on task.

One of the biggest distractions is noise. Using noise-cancelling headphones can be a great tool. If silence doesn’t help you concentrate, music or white noise can be really helpful. However you do it, tuning out distracting sounds is a key aspect of productivity. 

Another common distraction? Your phone. From social media to incoming texts, your phone seems bent on taking your attention away from what you should be doing. To counter this issue, only answer calls if it’s absolutely necessary. Unless it’s about a task you’re currently working on and need information about, don’t answer the phone. The list of ways to reach you is endless, so if it’s an emergency, you’ll know. Otherwise, protect your focus and ignore the phone—you can even stash it in another room when you really need to zero in on a task.

7. Get inspired by the best in the biz. 

This isn’t about doing more; it’s about working smarter. So many well-known authors began writing as a side hustle. Learning from their routines can be really inspiring. For example, Toni Morrison worked a 9–5 job when she began writing, and she wrote whenever she could, especially mornings before work. Ernest Hemingway was another early bird. He had an usual productivity style—he only wrote standing up! And I love these fun facts about Gertrude Stein: She woke up at 10 a.m. and wrote outdoors with cows for half an hour each day.

This all goes to show that everyone has their own style for making writing work as a side hustle. And once you tap into those tools and strategies, you can integrate writing into your busy schedule without sacrificing your energy or creativity.

The post Organizing Your Writing Side Hustle appeared first on Writer's Digest.

A literary agent friend of mine mentioned that she was using video to pitch her clients to editors, and I was very excited to hear this. As a former TV producer and a media trainer, I’m a huge fan of video. It’s a unique medium and it allows you to connect with your audience in a special way. 

Think about it: Seeing a video creates a lasting impression and a sense of a person’s personality. That can go a long way in wowing agents! 

However, it’s important to go about this the right way. Professionalism is the key here. A 20-minute, blurry, rambling video is not going to do you any favors. It’s the same as when you’re doing media. I’ve helped hundreds of authors feel more confident on camera for media interviews and videos through private training and my online course Media-Ready Author. Those are all the same skills that work for query videos.

Done right, query videos can help you share your personality and stand out. If you’re planning to use video in your queries, it’s important to have a cohesive plan. Remember that using video is a lot like querying agents in general. Every person likes something different, and it all depends on what that person connects with. 

There are two situations where video can really work in your favor. One is when you’re querying agents. The other is once you have an agent and they’re communicating with book editors on your behalf. Jessica Berg, author, agent, and Agency Director of Rosecliff Literary, told me that she’s getting excited about the personal connection that video can create. 

“I think video pitches are such a smart way to close the gap between the inbox and real life, especially for nonfiction,” Berg says. “I meet so many authors at conferences, and it’s often the person, not just the idea, that hooks me. It’s their energy, clarity, the way they talk about the book that sticks just as much as the concept. Sometimes (OK, most of the time) it’s really refreshing to meet the person behind the pitch.”

Creating videos is especially useful for nonfiction authors. Fiction is its own ballgame. But in nonfiction, you, the author, are a big part of the story. Editors and agents want to know what makes you the right person to share this message. 

Here are some suggestions to get started.

1) Start with a clear and concise hook.

This is crucial. You want to start out strong so that the agent or editor watching your video is immediately interested. This is something you’ll definitely want to work out beforehand—no winging it! Try to think of one sentence that will keep your audience engaged. Attention spans are short these days, so you don’t have long to make that impression!

2) Share a compelling personal introduction.

Introduce yourself and share your personal connection to your book. You might focus on topics such as the events that led you to write this book or what about you makes you the right person to tell this story. This is your opportunity to give the agent or editor a sense of who you are and what you bring to the table. You don’t need to give your whole life story—and you shouldn’t! Just narrow it down to what is relevant to the book.  

3) Give your book pitch in one minute or less.

Long, rambling videos are not going to cut it. They might actually hurt your chances with an agent. Agents are busy and they’re not going to watch anything that eats into their time without a return on investment. That’s why you need to make sure you get right to the point. You’ll probably need to time yourself to get the time down. Cutting filler words will help you sound more professional and also help you be more concise. You still want to sound conversational, though—here are some tips on how to do that. 

4) Implement the Accordion Method for flexible, scalable pitches.

I developed the Accordion Method so that authors and experts would have a go-to strategy for media appearances. And it works just as well for videos in query letters!

The Accordion Method means having a short, medium, and long answer to every question. For each version, you need to start with a strong hook and then go into more depth depending on how much time you have to elaborate. Here’s my full guide for speaking in soundbites using the Accordion Method. 

[Read more about the Accordion Method from Paula Rizzo on WD.]

5) Set yourself up for success with video skills.

Not everyone is comfortable on camera, and that’s OK. It just takes some practice. It’s important to assess your video skills and comfort on camera so you know where you might need some help. 

Having a professional setup is essential. That means considering things like lighting and background. Plus, you’ll want to use a high-quality microphone for clear audio and make sure you choose an appropriate camera to get good video quality. I have lots of tips for creating a professional-looking at-home studio here. But… don’t get so wrapped up in trying to create professional videos that you forget about the most important aspect—the message!

Berg agrees: “The biggest takeaway for authors is you don’t need fancy edits or a perfect setup,” she says. “Just show me you get your reader, you know your angle, and you care about the work. That’s what makes me lean in.” 

6) Decide on a video sharing strategy. 

There are lots of ways to host and share videos these days. You’ll want to decide if you plan to host on YouTube, a private link, or agent-specific. 

Relatedly, it’s worth thinking about creating custom videos for each agent rather than one universal pitch. That personal touch can make all the difference. Berg believes that the personal connection is what will create leverage. Don’t be afraid to show who you are and what you bring to the table. “If I can get even a glimpse of that in a query, it’s a massive win,” Berg says. Your personality and charisma will make agents and editors remember YOU.

7) Be inspired by examples.

Now that you’re ready to use video, some examples can help you get a sense of the way authors are using this. These two examples are from already published authors, but I think it’s important to note how they do it and emulate the style in your own videos. 

Elizabeth Gilbert the author of Eat, Pray, Love and All The Way To The River, has some great examples on her Instagram. She shared a “behind the title” video that ticks all the boxes—professional, short, and warm. 

YA author Angie Thomas’s video is a great example for fiction. 

Noticing what these authors are doing—great lighting, clear communication, hooks that grab you—can inspire you to create your own videos.

If you’re ready to try using videos to woo agents and editors, remember the key elements: concise, personal, and professional. This is something I predict we’ll be seeing a lot more of!

The post Media-Savvy Author: Using Video to Woo Agents & Editors appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Here are my top productivity hacks to write faster than ever: 

1. Make the most of established techniques.  

Often, using established productivity strategies is the right place to start when you want to boost your writing pace. One of my favorites is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves short, timed bursts of productivity (often 25 minutes, but you can customize it for your needs and preferences) followed by short, 5-minute breaks. It’s like HIIT for productivity! 

Another tool that can make a big difference is creating fake deadlines for yourself. Sometimes having that external pressure can allow you to focus your energy. For example, set word-count deadlines—and stick to them! A variation on this is to create specific assignments for yourself, such as writing a particular scene. That specificity serves the same purpose as the fake deadline. It gives you a set amount of writing to do—and the satisfaction that comes with completing it! 

You can even tie assignments to specific days. That’s what I do: Fridays are my writing days. I give myself a specific assignment ahead of time so I know what I’ll be working on. Planning topics or assignments before your scheduled writing time lets you cut out the dilly-dallying of trying to decide what to write. Instead, you can jump right in and get more done in the time you have. 

2. Introduce fresh prompts and creative strategies. 

Sometimes, even with the right tools and techniques, you need a little extra boost to get your creative juices flowing. That’s where prompts come in. There are lots of ways to get and use creative prompts. There are plenty of books and websites including WritersDigest.com that has lists of them to download. 

One of my favorites creative prompts is tarot cards. There are lots of ways to use tarot for writing inspiration. 

Tarot reader and author Theresa Reed (AKA “The Tarot Lady”) is prolific when it comes to using tarot as a writing tool. She has lots of tips for using tarot for writing—I’ve learned a lot from her and I even got to share some media tips on her Substack. 

For example, you might do a single-card pull to come up with a newsletter topic. A three-card pull can be great for story ideas where you need a beginning, middle, and end. And imagery from cards can be useful for character ideas. 

3. Take advantage of accountability and support systems. 

Writing can feel like a solitary pursuit. But it’s easier to be productive and stay engaged when you have a community of people who are in it with you. Seeking out writing partners or groups can boost your motivation and provide a space for feedback. Similarly, having accountability buddies can help you maintain consistency and meet your goals. Being a good literary citizen is key to finding those people and being part of a community that keeps you motivated.  

4. Develop a time management approach that actually works.

Time management can be one of the most difficult things to navigate as a writer. Feeling inspired and having great ideas don’t mean much if you can’t find the time to sit down and write, or if you feel tired or rushed when your writing slot rolls around. Time management isn’t one-size-fits-all.  

How you manage your writing time and where you fit it into your busy schedule will be different for everyone. But that doesn’t mean it’s all up to you to figure it out on your own. Being intentional about how you schedule and use your writing time is key.  

For example, back when I was a full-time news producer, I made time for writing after work. It was a priority for me, and I carved out an hour here and there each week to work on my first book, Listful Living. Then, when I became a media trainer and productivity expert, my schedule changed. I could design my workday on my own terms and so my writing time changed too. I decided that Fridays would be my writing days, and I made it a priority not to schedule meetings on Fridays. Those days are reserved for my writing accountability meetings and solo writing time.  

The key here is being flexible and assessing what your life looks like right now. Maybe you made a plan for your writing time a few years ago and now that doesn’t work anymore because of work or family obligations.  

For example, if evenings are your writing time, you might find that you’re too tired and you can only get a few words down each night. Try moving your writing time to the morning for a month and see what changes. Or vice-versa! Life has seasons and your time management approach has to shift with them to be most effective.  

When you have your writing time and space figured out (yep, making sure your environment is supporting you with limited distractions is key), return to some of those structured techniques like deadlines, assignments, and Pomodoro. You might find that switching up your approach every so often helps. Or, you might benefit from keeping things consistent. Every writer is different, and it’s important to be mindful of your own needs and habits as you work on boosting your writing speed.  

The post Productivity Hacks to Write Faster Than Ever appeared first on Writer's Digest.

I’m going to walk you through some top lists that you may not be using to their full potential—but first, let’s talk about having a list system. You need to have a central place where you can find all your lists. It’s the same way you should always leave your keys in the same place so you know where they are. That consistency is key.

Making lists that you’ll actually use requires some intention. There are lots of organizational tools available for list-making, including Evernote, Asana, and Google Docs. I like to use labeled folders when I use Google Docs for lists. And I love using Remarkable for handwritten lists that then get digitized. 

The system matters less than being consistent about using the same app or notebook and being organized within it. That means labeling things with the information you’ll need when you’re looking for it later on. For example, I consider what I might search and put in those keywords. Help your future self and stick to an organization and labeling system that works for you. It might take some time to work out a way of doing things, and that’s OK. Keep working on your system until it feels like it’s serving your needs.

Here are some of my favorite lists for authors, and how to use them effectively to boost creativity and productivity.

1) To-Do List

We’ve probably all made a to-do list before. But it’s easy for to-do lists to undermine your productivity if you aren’t careful. They can get clogged up with clutter and tasks that are distracting you from your goals.

For writing-related to-do lists, I like to use the Bucket Method. This is an idea that my friend and author Polly Campbell came up with. Your to-do list has three “buckets”: Create, Develop, and Deadline. In the Create column, put down your actionable creative tasks, like writing a scene for your novel or editing a chapter. For ongoing, growth-oriented tasks related to growing your skills or your reach, like taking a class or growing your business, add items to the Develop column. Lastly, the Deadline column is for tasks that need to be done today, like sending out your newsletter.

I like this method because it helps reconnect you with your purpose by categorizing tasks by their purpose.

2) Ideas List

This is a classic list for a reason. Ideas for writing can come to you at any time and it’s a good practice to keep track of them. This is another way to help future you. You might have an idea now that could really help you down the line. Whether it’s a plot idea, a direction for a nonfiction project, or a training course that your readers might enjoy, keep track of one dedicated ideas list.

3) Left-Off List

This is one you may not have heard of before. I use left-off lists when I’m wrapping up a project for the day. I just write down a couple things about where I left off so that when I return to it, I can pick up and jump back in. This is another list that future-you will thank you for!

4) Character List

When I started my novel, I also started keeping track of characters using a dedicated list. This is a place to jot down ideas for characters, whether they’re ones you’re writing about in a current project or a character that might fit into another story. I have a Google Doc that I use to keep track of characters, and I love it. Also, if I get an idea for another character, I make sure to write it on my list so I don’t forget when I need some inspiration.

5) Goals List

This is a place where you can keep track of your writing goals. What do you want? These can be big goals, like publishing a bestseller, or more immediate ones, like developing a consistent writing routine. This is different than a to-do list, because the point isn’t to check off a goal each day—it’s to keep track of what you’re working toward. Looking at your goals, adding to the list, and seeing the way you’re getting closer to them is a great motivator.

6) Why-I’m-Doing-It List

I saved this list for last because it’s one of the most important—and one that many people don’t make time to create. This is the list of your “whys”: Why do you do what you do? What drives you and fuels your passion for writing?

For some writers, the answer might be to share their knowledge with people who need it. For others, the reason is to tell a story that needed to be told. This is a list that will be specific to you and your story. It’s a list that you can return to when you’re feeling stuck, tired, or discouraged. Seeing your “why” written out is often the boost you need to feel engaged and inspired by the work you’re doing.

Click to continue.

The post 6 Lists to Make Writers More Efficient appeared first on Writer's Digest.

When you’re launching a new book, the focus of your pitching and media strategy is the book and only the book. But it’s not always easy to know what your next step is after you’ve finished the book launch. And let’s be honest, after just a few months your book baby is already a toddler and the media has likely moved on.

As a media trainer, I often work with authors in the toddler stage of their media journey. They’ve done some media and they want to keep it going without being repetitive. Plus, you can’t keep pitching the same thing to the media—they won’t bite!

Here are my tips for getting and keeping media attention in the weeks, months, and years after your book launch wraps.

1. Overhaul your mindset

Shift your mindset from consistently building interest and sharing the newness of your book to focusing on your position as an author and expert with lots of valuable information to share. And yes, most of that is in the book. This is different from just telling everyone you have a new book. After a month, your book is old news. Sorry, but it’s true and acknowledging that is key. Plus, I’m sure you’ve exhausted yourself with your pre-sale efforts as well.

But this doesn’t mean you need to leave your book behind in your plan for media attention. For example, I still talk about the content of my first book, Listful Thinking: Using Lists to Be More Productive, Highly Successful and Less Stressed, years after its 2015 publication date. The content and knowledge are still relevant. It’s all about the way you frame these things as useful to your audiences. To do this, you can check out my free resource of 10 questions every author needs to answer. You’ll be surprised what kind of content ideas come from your answers.

2. Safeguard your media contacts—and invest in them.

Save all the contact information for any producers or journalists you worked with during your book launch. Send them thank you notes (yes, real paper ones!) after working with them and connect with them on LinkedIn. Treat them like people and more than likely they will do the same. I can count on one hand the number of thank you notes I got in the nearly 20 years I was a television producer.

It’s also important to stay in touch. Sending pitches on topics related to and even beyond the scope of your book is one way to do this. For more on what to pitch check out this episode of my live-stream show “Inside Scoop” where I break down the top five media-pitch questions.

If there are authors in your professional network whose work might be a good fit for producers or journalists you know, you can make introductions. Ask if they’re open to it first of course. They’ll be grateful you did and remember you as someone who has their finger on the pulse of noteworthy things. These repeated interactions build positive, lasting relationships, which you can think of as investments in a sustainable media strategy in the long term. Then, when you have something important to talk about again, they’ll remember you.

3. Consume media in a new way.

You probably used to read or watch interviews with authors and dream about the day that would be you. Well, now it is!

That doesn’t mean it’s time to stop watching and reading, though. It’s important to stay an active consumer of media once you’ve published your book. There’s valuable information in those interviews that you can learn from. Stay on top of new releases and see how those authors leverage media coverage.

And then, this is the key, keep watching those authors and see how they appear in the media when they don’t have a new book out.

What are they speaking about? How is it tied to their published work? Pay attention, and take action accordingly!

4. Take the conversation beyond the book …

One of the most valuable lessons I learned as an author is that just because something isn’t in your book doesn’t mean you can’t talk about it. In fact, as time goes on, you need to expand the reach of your expertise.

For instance, I did a segment on PIX11 News in New York City about how artificial intelligence can make you more productive. This is not something that I wrote about in either of my books, but I sure have a lot to say about the topic. And guess what, AI wasn’t even a thing when I wrote my first book. It doesn’t matter. As a productivity expert I can use my knowledge to share things and I was still identified as the author of my book.

5. … But also reuse the content from your book.

Start a podcast. Post on your blog. Do videos and live streams on your social media and LinkedIn profiles. The content for these endeavors should absolutely come from your book. For instance, you can take a nugget from your book and turn it into a blog post on the topic. Then you can do a Q&A livestream or a quick video of your main talking points. Media begets media. Then you can use this new content to pitch producers again. I go into this in depth in my free checklist for becoming a media expert.

Most importantly, you must consider yourself an expert in the topic you wrote your book on—not just a person who wrote a book about that topic. Getting and keeping media attention requires a mindset shift. You need to identify as an expert in order to speak confidently and precisely about your work in the media.

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But the truth is it’s you publishing the work, so you also have to be able to speak about what you do and what you know. I know this from personal experience.

As an author and a former TV producer, I’ve been on both sides of the interview process. So I know that you need to prepare for on-camera interviews, whether or not speaking is your first preference.

I’m regularly hired to speak or am interviewed as an expert for my usual topics—video, media, and my books: Listful Thinking and Listful Living. However, I still prepare talking points. Yes, every single time! I know it’s the best way to nail any interview. This video will walk you through how I do it.

From my years of experience, I have a few other tips and tricks that I come back to time and again—before the interview, during it, and after it’s over.

Before:

Craft the Questions

Start by thinking about what you’ve been asked to talk about. Is it a new topic or something you’ve been asked to discuss repeatedly? Check out the previous episodes of the show you’ll be on and make sure you have a good sense of what questions you’ll likely be asked. This will determine how you approach your brainstorming.

Write the topic at the top of your notes page. Then write down everything you think of that could possibly be related. Just get all your thoughts down on paper. Once all your thoughts are down on paper, you can go back and edit. Cross out things that are not relevant, add anything you forgot, and see what’s left.

If you’ve handwritten the notes, start a fresh new page and put your notes in a logical order. If you type your notes, copy/paste and reorganize your bullet points. My free resource 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer is a great way to narrow down what you decide to speak on.

When preparing how to answer the questions you anticipate being asked, I like to use a strategy that I call the Accordion Method. You want to have a short answer, a medium answer, and a long answer to the questions you think you’ll be asked.

The short answer is the headline: a soundbite that takes just a sentence.

The medium answer is just a little longer, still starting with a bang and then adding a bit of context.

The long answer builds on the medium answer with a few specific details. Once you have these worked out, the next step is to practice. I really mean it. Practicing is essential.

It is also imperative to practice how you’d answer uncomfortable questions in the moment. Get the rocks out of your mouth, so to speak, so that you don’t make a mistake and say something you’ll regret later. Practice with someone who knows publishing: a media trainer, your agent, other authors, a member of your publishing or publicity team, etc.

How do you know which length of answer is required? You’ll know right from the beginning when you know what kind of interview it is and how much time you have. Always ask before an interview how long you have. If it’s a podcast and you have 20 minutes or so, you can definitely use your long accordion answers. For TV you’ll probably use both short and medium answers because those segments are likely under five minutes. But also watch the interviewer, take cues from them on when to wrap up your answer.

In this episode of my live-stream show Inside Scoop, I walk you through how to use the Accordion Method. If you’re ready for an even deeper dive into this I have a whole training called Media-Ready Author available for you here.

No matter how many speaking engagements you do, you have to practice. Practicing out loud is important because sometimes things make sense on paper but sound weird when you’re talking. And it’s better to find that out when you’re alone or talking to a friend than on TV!

[5 Ways to Get and Keep Media Attention After Your Book Launch]

During:

During the interview, it’s time to make sure your hard work pays off. Remember to slow down, smile, and trust in your preparation. You have valuable information to share, and the audience wants to hear what you have to say.

And remember … kill those filler words! Focus on what you’re saying and be OK with a little silence here and there. Um and like are not your friends during an interview.

After:

Don’t let your interview disappear as soon as it’s over. I see this happen all the time—someone spends lots of time getting ready for an interview, nails the appearance, and then … poof! I never see it posted or shared anywhere.

Promote yourself! People won’t know what you’ve done unless you tell them. So don’t be shy about getting the word out. Send out replays to your email lists and post on social media about it.

And always stay in touch with producers. A “thank you” email or handwritten note goes a long way. Producers are always more likely to ask someone back on the show who they have developed a positive professional relationship with.

[How to Pitch Your Book to Broadcast Media]

For more tips on preparing for on-camera interviews, you can check out my free resource, Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.

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The post How to Handle Any On-Camera Interview appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Before you do an interview, it’s essential to prepare what you’re going to say. You should also staying in touch with hosts, producers, and editors afterwards. For more on how to get ready for an interview, you can check out my March column, How to Handle Any On-Camera Interview.

What happens before and during an interview is only part of the equation. The rest is what happens after. How do you publicize that this happened? It comes down to sharing content, using one successful interview to pitch again, and repurposing all of your content for maximum reach.

Afterward, share far and wide.

Whenever you do media, remember that lots of people will probably miss your interview the first time around. Of course, some people will see it—but many won’t. Don’t worry about sharing the same content in different forms. Repurposing the interview and putting it on social media, your blog, and anywhere you have an audience, is essential for building your presence as an author.

Don’t be shy about self-promotion. It’s a hang-up that so many authors have. It’s not bragging. You need to connect with your audience and sharing your work will get your message out there. Remember, people need to hear what you have to say. They will benefit from listening to that podcast or watching your interview. That’s why you do what you do.

When I was a television news producer, I always thought of it as a public service. Take on that same sentiment and think of what you know and sharing it, as being of service. It helps when you reframe it this way.

Go beyond sharing links online. You can use an interview as a jumping-off place to create another piece of content for your own platforms. Repurpose it!

Here is how I might make the most of a television appearance, for example.

When I was on PIX11 News in New York City to chat about party planning with lists, I made sure to let people know via social media and my email list about when the interview was happening and how to watch.

Creating graphics to share is key. I use Canva to create my graphics. It gives you a polished and professional look. 

Creating multiple avenues and formats for your audience to engage with the information and the clip is the best way to let people know what you’re doing.

Media begets media.

Sharing what you’re doing in the media is the best way to get more media. The more clips you have to share, the more producers and editors will see you as a trusted expert with something important to say. You can even take one media appearance or piece of content and use it to pitch another one.

Next time you have a media appearance booked, make the most of it by showing up prepared, engaging fully, and making the content widely available in different formats to support your next pitch. And don’t forget that any media mention is valuable—you never know where even the smallest piece of media might lead. Don’t ever be a snob when it comes to media.

My client author Jay Nixon is the perfect example of this. We worked together on a pitch about how your words can sabotage your health. He sent it over to Health.com. The editor loved the idea and interviewed him for a story on their website.

He could have easily said, “It’s not going to be in the print magazine?” and turned away the opportunity. But he didn’t do that. He said yes, because he knew that all forms of media are important.

A few months later, Jay’s article did get printed in the magazine, because the editors liked the story so much. What a nice win! His message has reached so many more people because he was open about getting coverage in all formats. Afterward, Jay was able to use that coverage to pitch again.

I had another client named Greg who couldn’t care less about being on television. He just wanted to be quoted in some design industry magazines. He got a quote in a blog without much readership and guess what happened? CNN saw it and reached out to interview him. You never know who might be reading.

[How to Pitch Your Book to Broadcast Media]

Once I answered a query on the former Help a Reporter Out (HARO) platform that was looking for a productivity expert. The interview was for Dr. Oz magazine and it was about detoxing your to-do list. I had great ideas and wrote to the editor. She loved it and interviewed me for the magazine. After that article was printed, I used it to pitch a few television interviews. The same story could be repurposed in different ways for different mediums.

Making the most of a media interview relies on creativity. You need to get creative about how you’re going to share your work and what you’re going to do with it next. And remember, say yes to media, no matter how small. You never know where it might lead you. 

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The post Making the Most of Your Media Interviews appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Making your own video content means you don’t need to wait for producers or editors to say “yes” to you. You don’t need to wait to be found by the media. And remember—you won’t be discovered if you’re not out there to be found. That means the time is now to start creating content that supports your profile as an author and boosts the chances of a successful media pitch.

Why? Well, producers want to see what they’re agreeing to when they invite someone on their show. If you have an online presence full of fresh, interesting videos, they’ll know that you are someone their audience will find compelling—they will have seen you do it already!

So how can you create video that does all these things? It’s a matter of knowing your tools, deciding on your content, and making strategic decisions and how and when to share your videos.

1. Get to know video-creating tools.

While there are pros and cons to both live and pre-recorded videos, I prefer live videos. They can save you time (and energy) once you get the hang of them. Live videos also help you get over perfectionism. Plus, they keep you accountable, since if you said you’re going live at a certain time, you’ve got to stick to it! Of course, you can always re-use your recorded live content. For more tips, here is my guide to going live on social media.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a set-up that looks professional. Good lighting is essential, whether that means sitting close to a natural light source or using lamps to create soft brightness. You can learn more about how to do this here.

When it comes to pre-recorded video, I am not a fan of virtual backgrounds or other video-production tools that change your background. Why? Well, they’re not high-quality, they don’t serve a purpose (besides hiding clutter!), and they take attention away from you. If you have a green screen, then this is an exception because it will look much better.

A real background is more professional and authentic. I suggest having your background be neutral and intentional. That could mean a neat office space, a wall with a painting or print, or even a blank wall.

Another great tool is Streamyard. Streamyard lets you stream live video to multiple platforms at once. You can also create an announcement about when your live video is airing so that people can plan to tune in. I use it for all my live-streaming of my show Inside Scoop. I have a class called Go Live Masterclass that teaches you how to create your own live-stream show and repurpose the video here.

2. Let your point of view decide your content strategy.

When deciding what topics you want to focus on, it’s important to define your point of view.

A lot of people struggle to decide exactly what they’re going to be known for and talk about. Remember, you have to choose one thing—for now. Who are you, and why should people listen to what you have to say?

Let me give you an example from a guest on my live-streaming show Inside Scoop. My guest on this episode was Nikki Dinki, a chef and cookbook writer. We met way back when I was a senior health producer at Fox News Channel. When Nikki was building her online following, she had a realization that helped her shape the rest of her content.

Nikki explained that to get people to follow you, you have to be very clear about what you’re offering them. Now Nikki knows that veggies are her thing. But she didn’t know that immediately.

“I’m not really a vegetarian,” Nikki explained. “I celebrate veggies. I cook them a little bit uniquely. But I incorporate meat.” Her brand was cemented while competing on Food Network Star. On the first day, she had to give a spiel about who she was. And she said, “I cook in a way with meat on the side.” That became who she was: “I just felt like everyone lit up and I felt like I’m onto something.”

With her perspective defined, Nikki could go about creating video content that spoke to people who connected with this mission.

When I first started my blog ListProducer.com I wrote only about lists and productivity and that lead to my first book Listful Thinking. I got known as “the list producer” or “the list lady” and yes, I still talk about lists all the time, but that’s not the only thing. I’ve expanded my content to talk about ways to live an easier, less stressful life while being efficient.

Imagine that you have to give an elevator pitch to your audience. What would you say in one or two sentences to get right to the heart of what you are doing and why?

3. Make a plan for sharing content.

Consistency is key when it comes to creating compelling videos. If you do Instagram stories, try a short video every day. For YouTube, post once a week. When people know to expect content from you, they’ll be more likely to tune in and get to know you. I’d also make sure to send your email list these video links—you’d be surprised by how much people miss. Don’t be afraid of self-promotion. I wrote about that in a past edition of this column.

You should post where you already have the most audience engagement. If that’s Instagram, go for Instagram. If that’s Facebook, post there. You should try to match your content to the platform. Tutorial-type videos, for example, work best on YouTube. But if you want to do shorter videos, try Instagram Stories or Reels.

Creating your own video is a key skill for authors. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you get comfortable with it, the possibilities are endless.

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The post Think Like a Producer: How to Create Compelling Videos appeared first on Writer's Digest.

In a past edition of this column, I explored the ways you can approach creating and sharing content to support your work as an author. But what about the nitty-gritty of video production and content creation?

This is where many people get stuck. You want your content to be a reflection of you and your writing: high-quality and reliable. You definitely don’t want people to second-guess your expertise because of the way you present yourself online. Luckily, there are lots of wonderful tools accessible to you—and I’ll clue you in on my go-tos.

Thinking like a producer means creating content in multiple ways and across multiple platforms, from pre-recorded videos to live video interviews. Producers also know how to leverage tech and on-camera skills for the best possible end result.

Here are my tips for creating content that boosts your profile and supports your goals as an author.

1. Consider your appearance.

Even though an at-home video recording or interview means the camera will only capture you from the waist or chest up, don’t wear sweatpants or pajamas! Get fully dressed, as if you were heading into an in-person meeting or interview. You want to fully embody your professional persona as an author, and the right clothes help you step into that role.

When getting dressed, think about what outfits will be the least distracting. Solid colors such as blue or green are ideal. If you’re using a microphone, don’t wear jewelry that could bump into it while you’re talking and make a distracting sound. If you wear makeup, test out a few different looks so you can see what comes across well on camera. You don’t need to transform into someone else—you just want to come across as your best self.

2. Slow down your speaking.

We all use “um” and “like” sometimes, but it’s time to work on cutting those out, at least on camera. Using filler words distracts from your message and it undermines your credibility. Record yourself and notice what filler words you tend to rely on. Then, try again and practice slowing down and removing them from your speech. My best suggestion is to get comfortable with a moment of silence—it’s always better than rambling.

3. Make eye contact.

Always look at the camera, not at yourself! I know that it feels more natural to look at yourself or at the person you’re speaking with when you’re doing an interview. But when you do that, people don’t get that sense of eye contact and connect with you. It’s much better to make eye contact with the camera. It feels less uncomfortable the more you do it! I have lots of tips and tricks like this in my course, Media-Ready Author.

4. Simplify your background.

When you’re creating content from home, you want to make sure your background is appropriate for video meetings or interviews. Try to have a simple background—you can always move your desk around for the occasion. Having lots of items behind you will draw your audience’s attention away from your message and towards your knick-knacks! If you can easily get your book behind you, do it. Ideally, you’ll have some depth behind you if you can, but if not, a solid color works too. As for virtual backgrounds or blurring effects, I suggest skipping them. You don’t want to look like you’re hiding a messy room behind you!

5. Keep the lighting natural.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy lighting. Use natural light whenever possible. Never put a window behind you, because it will make your space look dark and uninviting. The more light, the better quality your on-camera image. Remember keep the light on your face, not behind it.

6. Invest in a microphone.

Having a good microphone means you’ll be heard loud and clear during video calls and interviews. You don’t want someone to have to ask you to repeat yourself because your voice sounded too fuzzy.

I suggest the Stick Microphone for when you’re using your laptop, or the Lav Microphone when you’re using your phone. You should test out your new hardware prior to creating any content or using it for an interview—you want to make sure you know how it works before the big moment.

7. Check out noise-canceling software.

Creating content from home means you run the risk of background noise. No one expects that you’ll have a soundproof recording studio, but you should try your best to minimize sounds that distract from your voice. Krisp is an app that allows you to mute background noise during calls. It’s perfect for working from home, since you don’t have to worry about the sounds of your kids or pets interrupting an interview.

8. Make sure your camera is up to the task.

A low-quality camera can’t produce a good image, even with the best lighting. It’s important for your audience and your interviewers to be able to see you clearly. Many smartphones and computers have great cameras these days, but if you want to buy a separate camera, the Logitech 1080p is a great option.

9. Elevate your computer.

Having a computer stand is one of my best tips for elevating your on-camera appearance. Elevating your camera creates a more natural, and level video, as if you really were right in front of your audience. This is super important for creating connection and intimacy with the person you’re talking to. You can also try a standing desk! If you don’t have time to order a computer stand, you can always prop up your laptop with some books. Just make sure to do a quick test to make sure things look right.

10. Practice, practice, practice.

If you’re new to creating video content or doing media interviews, it’s a good idea to practice talking and answering questions before the real thing. Try recording yourself so that you can see how you’re doing. Then you can rewatch and take note of what you’re doing well and what you want to improve on. Try using my 10 Media Questions Every Author Needs to Answer as you practice.

Here’s some things to look out for: Are you looking at yourself or the camera? Are you using filler words? How is your posture? Is the background distracting?

Practicing will help you feel more confident in your presentation, and that will definitely come across in your content. The more content you create and the more interviews you do, the more comfortable you’ll feel.

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