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TONS OF EXPOSURE: Below are publicity special reports to help you get tons of exposure including topics on how to be a media dream guest that's packed with essential publicity tips you need to know.

ANNIE'S TRADE SECRETS: You will find reports on every aspect of PR including Annie's trade secrets on how to land major tv and radio show placements, contact producers, create expert status, interview like a pro, become a breaking news expert, get ready for your radio campaign, become a national speaker and more!

PUBLICITY STRATEGY: An effective media campaign includes exposure on major TV shows, top radio shows in major cities throughout the country, placement in national magazines, articles and newspapers.  If you would like to get national exposure and only pay for the interviews you accept, sign up as an Annie Jennings PR expert.  Annie Jennings PR will CALL YOU with placements that are perfect for you.  You can "pick and choose" the placements that you accept.

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More pitching tips

• Always have your press materials for your book promotion & publicity fully developed before you even begin the pitching process.
  To effectively promote your book, you’ll need a segment style press release created especially for for radio, TV or print, a media kit and video resume for National TV. After you pitch your media contact, your media contract will most likely ask you to send your book promotion materials to them. Any delay will cost you your credibility. Always do what you say you are going to do!  Promoting and publicizing your book successfully depends upon the skill and quality that you present to the media.
  
• Have short and long term publicity goals.
  You will need to have resources to find the names of the producers and bookers and contact information.   Targeting the right media contact will greatly increase your chances of getting booked. If your goal is to be on OPRAH within the year, you have a lot of work to do. You’ll want to get booked on lots of media that includes radio and TV to gain experience, help you define your topic and create national expert status for yourself. Pitch the smaller radio shows first and then move onto the bigger stations in the bigger markets. Use the same strategy with TV and book yourself first on the local/regional stations.
  
• If newspapers and magazines are on your publicity goal list, start to follow these periodicals. Learn about the content and style and who writes in your expertise. Become familiar with what they have covered so you are pitching a fresh and “next level” article or story idea.
  
• When promoting your book or yourself, expect to make about 50 pitch calls before feeling  comfortable with the content, style, language and tonality.
  Can the media spot an amateur? You bet! Your pitch call is an audition. If you sound shy, uncertain and stumble over your words, the producer will think you will be shy, uncertain and stumble over your words on the air and will not book you. Your successful book promotion strategy or successfully creating expert status for yourself depends upon your development of strong presentation and communication skills and a certainty within yourself that you would make a great guest.  If you doubt that you are ready for media your concerns will show in your presentation style and the media can sense this.  Preparation, practice and media training can help you tremendously.
  
• Identify your ultimate target media and then find  smaller media that will support your major targeted media outlets.
  For example, if your book promotion and book publicity strategy includes Bloomberg TV, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC or other major national news shows then pitch the local/regional business, news or talk shows first.  Your goal is to attain a track record of successful media interviews in your area of expertise.  Your target media likes to see that you have significant media experience.   Once you have landed several TV shows, create a three-minute video resume that is edited and features your “best” moments.   We find that the media makes their minds up very fast when viewing a video resume.  They can spot a great guest or a "boring" or inexperienced guest very quickly. Lead with high-energy music and action! You want the viewer to feel excited just watching your video!  You want them to be thinking “ratings, ratings, ratings”! 
  
• Know the caliber of guests your target media uses.
  A successful book promotion and publicity campaign also depends upon your ability to mirror the types of guests the show normally uses.  By watching the show, you can determine if you have what it takes and fit the profile of the type of guest the show likes to have on.  You might need media training, a makeover and/or coaching to increase your desirability and skills.  Keep in mind that you can create the polished, professional and confident demeanor through putting together the various elements discussed in this article.  And always dress upscale professional for the interview.
  
• In major breaking news situations, TV segments  are pegged to the breaking news.
  Tailor your pitch accordingly and do not pitch a soft feature at a time when your media contacts are busy responding to the breaking news. Tie your expertise into the breaking news to increase your chances of getting booked.
  
• Immediate availability will help you get booked.
  Tell your media contacts that you are “on call” for them and give them all of your contact numbers including pager and/or cell phone (for instant access). Include your instant access information on your website.
  
• TV and radio producers like controversial debates and experienced guests who can talk in information-packed soundbites.
  Leave high-energy, action packed voice mails that demonstrate you know your subject well. Some hosts will cut you off when you start to linger or wander in your statements or answers and that is their job--to keep the conversation cutting edge, fun and exciting for the viewers.  Practice refining your answers to 10-20 seconds only.  The host will love you!  You can always continue if the host prompts you to do so but the faster, more exciting you can keep the segment the better for all.  The key is "practice"!  Never wing a TV show--it could really hurt you.
  
• Stack your pitch with your credentials and content.
  Speak faster while leaving your voice mail yet slow down and speak clearly when you leave your phone number. Always mention where you are located and follow up with an email that includes more on your pitch, BIO and instant access contact information. Do not use attachments but you can link to your website or any page in your website such as your media page that should be content rich and not overly promotional for book promotion or product sales.  Remember to include your immediate contact information on every page on your website. 
  
• Have two websites—one that showcases your "Expert Status" and one for your book promotion and book publicity.  The media likes content rich website that showcase your articles, awards, area of expertise and bio. If they see a strong sell for products or books they will not book you as your site is too promotional. Save the strong promotion for products or your book for another sited designed especially for this purpose.
  
• Explain how your book relates to the segment  and have the book cover ready to be emailed.
  Most shows will show your book during the segment if the book is related to the topic they are covering and is relevant to the issue under discussion or to establishing you as an expert in the topic.  Always ask the producer to show the book however, be ready to explain how your book ties into the segment.   During the pre-interview double-check that the producer has the correct spelling of your name (and pronunciation) and title. Also, ask to have two chyrons (the way you are identified on the screen) that alternate while you are speaking—one with your name and book name and another with your name and area of expertise.
  
• Send your book and publicity media kit for your media contact to have on hand.
  It is always a great idea to get set up with your media contact in advance so they are ready to book you when the opportunity presents itself.   And always follows the news so that when you can offer compelling commentary on a topic, you can call your media contact to let them know you are ready and waiting!  You greatly increase your chances of getting booked on the show if you are at the fingertips of the producer.
  
• Don’t expect that if something comes up in your area of expertise later the producer will call you. Re-pitch yourself pegged to the story. The producers tend to book what is right in front of them and what is freshest in their mind. So treat it as a brand new pitch and follow up using the same pitching process of calling, emailing and calling again.  The advantage you have is that they are familiar with you already!
  
• Keep notes!   Know who you pitched, their comments, what publicity materials you have sent to them, your follow-up dates, which message you left etc.
  Most members of the media prefer emails.  And if you are lucky, you might be able to reach them on the telephone.  If you do, be ready.  Know in advance what you are going to pitch and how you are going to say it.  Write it down.  Practice it!  Then you can sound conversational, not stiff.  As I have said before, never wing your pitch--you could start to get off topic and ramble.

The Don'ts of Pitching For Successful Book Promotion!

• Do not ramble, do not say the same things over and over.
  Practice your pitch to be concise, to the point and packed with value.
  
• No Umm’s—never wing it.
  Have your press release handy so you can read directly from it and always lead with your strength.
  
• Never ask “how are you” unless you already have an established relationship.
  
• Never ask “is this a good time for you?”
  What you can say is “is this a good time for you to discuss a financial planning expert who can comment on the stock market decline?” Producers appreciate quick and complete information. Plus, they might be crashing because they are looking for a financial planning expert!

Pitching is a second job.  Lots of time and work invested!  The publicists at Annie Jennings PR are top, talented professionals who can get you booked FAST!  Let Annie Jennings PR help you get top national TV and radio shows. Sign up with Annie Jennings PR as an expert.  Annie will CALL YOU with media opportunities that are perfect for you.  You "pick and choose" the placements your accept.  Sign up as an expert!

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BOOK PROMOTION TESTIMONIAL: " In this age of "too bad for you" customer service, the staff of Annie Jennings PR is an absolute treasure. These folks do what they say they will do, on time and with great results. I went to Annie Jennings PR after a frustrating year of little action on the part of a previous publicist. Annie Jennings PR had confidence in my book and the expertise to ignite a "buzz". And they did it inside of three weeks! I wrote take Two Apples And Call Me In The Morning because I had a message I wanted to get out and. I am so grateful to Annie Jennings PR for helping me accomplish my goal. In my book, they are an investment well worth making!"

--Judy Stone, MSW, CN

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