WHAT TO DO WHEN THE MEDIA SAYS YES!

  

We always worry about the news media rejecting us when we pitch them. But what happens when they say yes?

You’d think it wouldn’t be a problem when the media says yes, but when you finally find a positive response, you should think about what you’d like to get out of it.

For instance, let’s say it’s radio. Sure, you’re happy to schedule an interview, but what can you ask for? First, pick a prime time slot or the ideal day of the week. Second, how much time do you want to ask the interview to be? Third, how will they promote the segment? Will they post a link to the interview on their website? Four, do you want to do giveaways of your book? Fifth, can you get them to agree to do a follow-up interview?

Let’s say you get a “yes” from a Web site or blog. Always ask for more. If they say they’ll do a Q&A, say, “Great, and may I contribute a post on the topic of x for your site?” Maybe you can turn that post into a regular gig to contribute. Perhaps the site is connected to other sites and blogs that you can ask them to introduce you to.

For print, let’s say an editor agreed to have you submit a 750-word byline article. Do it with enthusiasm and then ask if you can submit a second or third one on alternate topics. Ask if they can consider you as an expert source for future stories. Ask if they can connect you with someone else at the publication who covers another beat that your book can also be used for. Ask the journalist if he has friends at other media outlets that you can be introduced to. Hey, it can’t hurt to ask for more – you won’t lose whatever they offered to do, and you might end up getting a whole lot more.

For TV, you can ask for a few things. First, ask them if you can get a copy of the clip.  If it’s a local network affiliate, ask them if they know of anyone at the national level or another network affiliate in another city that you can show the clip to and parlay into another interview opportunity. Second, ask the producer to send you a testimonial about how good the segment was and use it in your promotional materials.

So when you get a yes from the media, think of how you can ask for expanded coverage, repeat coverage, connection to sister media outlets, and other ways to get your message out. Everything you do is an audition to get something better. Be happy to hear a yes, and then find a way to turn it into multiple yesses. 

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, Media Connect, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2014