Authors: Crafting Your Media Presence, Interview Tips and Advice

In this episode of ‘All Things Book Marketing,’ host Corinne Moulder, Smith Publicity’s Vice President of Business Development, welcomes back Emmy award-winning television producer, bestselling author, and media training expert Paula Rizzo. Paula shares her journey from TV production to becoming a media trainer, emphasizing the importance of preparation, content creation, and confidence for authors and experts.

She discusses common misconceptions about media training, the value of storytelling, the essentials of video creation, and effective strategies to handle interviews. Listeners will gain insights on becoming media-ready, leveraging their book as an extension of their brand, and preparing for media appearances. Paula also introduces her course, ‘Media Ready Author,’ aimed at helping authors successfully navigate the media landscape.

Listen to the Podcast here, or read take aways from their conversation below:

In the ever-evolving landscape of book marketing, the art of being “media-ready” is more crucial than ever. Authors and experts often face the challenge of stepping into the limelight, yet navigating the intricacies of media engagement can feel daunting. Thankfully, Paula Rizzo, an Emmy award-winning television producer and author, is here to illuminate this path. With her extensive background and insights, she is empowering thought leaders to step confidently into the media spotlight.

From Producer to Author: Paula’s Journey

Paula Rizzo is no stranger to the media world. With two decades of experience as a television producer in New York City, she was the gatekeeper determining which experts got airtime. Her career pivot from being behind the camera to becoming an author and media training coach was inspired by her firsthand exposure to what works and what doesn’t in the media space. Her books, “Listful Thinking” and “Listful Living,” and her role as a media trainer, equip authors with the tools they need to share their messages effectively.

The Misconceptions and Realities of Media Training

One of the common misconceptions about media appearances, especially for those accustomed to public speaking, is the belief that transitioning to media will be seamless. However, Rizzo emphasizes the importance of concise, impactful messaging that is tailored to the media’s short format. Whether the medium is television or podcasting, brevity and clarity are key.

Media training is not just for novices. Even seasoned speakers benefit from refining their media strategies to suit new topics or books. It’s about preparedness—having a seamless transition into becoming your own producer by consistently creating and sharing content, which eventually becomes the foundation for engaging media pitches.

Building Your Media Presence

Rizzo advises that being media-ready involves thinking like a producer. This means creating and curating your own content, whether it’s through video, blogs, or other digital media. Regularly sharing your expertise not only establishes authority but also makes you a prime candidate for media opportunities.

Inside her Media Ready Author course, Rizzo teaches techniques like the Accordion method—crafting short, medium, and long answers to questions, enabling authors to adapt their responses seamlessly depending on the medium. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining composure and staying on message during interviews.

Prepping for the Media: Tools, Tactics, and Mental Readiness

The physical setup is as important as mental preparedness. Investing in a good microphone, utilizing natural lighting, and ensuring a clutter-free background helps in presenting oneself professionally. However, beyond the aesthetic elements, Rizzo advocates for mental readiness through consistent practice and self-review. The end goal is to exude confidence and authenticity, ensuring your message is both impactful and memorable.

Handling the Unexpected

Media environments can sometimes present unexpected, challenging questions. Rizzo advises her clients to anticipate possible tough questions and prepare responses in advance, ensuring they can handle curveballs with finesse. Building this competence empowers authors to pivot gracefully, turning potentially tricky situations into opportunities to emphasize their key messages.

Concluding Insights

Paula Rizzo’s approach to media training equips authors with the mindset and skills vital for thriving in today’s fast-paced media landscape. By fostering a blend of confidence, preparation, and content creation, authors can effectively harness the media as a platform to elevate their message and broaden their influence.

For those ready to step up their media game, Paula Rizzo’s guidance through the Media Ready Author course offers invaluable resources to ensure you shine each time the spotlight calls. Remember, opportunities may come unannounced; being media-ready means being poised to say yes when they do.

 

Paula Rizzo is an Emmy Award-winning television producer, bestselling author of Listful Thinking & Listful Living, media-training coach, speaker, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, host of the live-stream show “Inside Scoop,” and creator of the popular online training Media-Ready Author.

Her monthly column in Writers Digest, Media-Savvy Author, dives deep into actionable techniques for writers to streamline their workflow, navigate publicity, and maximize their impact. To learn more, visit: https://paularizzo.com/checklist, https://listproducer.com/starterkit/ or follow Paula on LinkedIn.

 

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