When Los Angeles-based media coach\u00a0Gina Rubinstein<\/a> offered to write a guest blog post for me that would help authors sell books, I was happy to accept. Rubinstein trains her clients to use the media to grow their businesses. She is an Emmy Award-winning executive producer of reality television who has transferred her decades of directing \u201creal people\u201d into helping authors, speakers, and others become engaging and confident on-camera. She offers a free evaluation to anyone who fills out a short questionnaire<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How to get media exposure that helps sell books<\/h2>\n

By Gina Rubinstein<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve written a book. Congratulations!<\/p>\n

But now what?<\/p>\n

How do you get your book to its audience?<\/p>\n

The media, both traditional and social, is the best tool you have. You can play with the big boys and get national exposure. But first you have to prepare for your place in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 tips on how to prepare to use the media to sell books and grow your audience and business.<\/p>\n

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1. Go from author to expert.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Become an expert in your field, if you\u2019re not already. Being an author gives you credibility as well, so build on that. Experts are widely used on TV and radio to give background and perspective on current events. Fill in the gaps in your knowledge so you can become a \u201cgo to\u201d person in your field.<\/p>\n

2. Tie in your expertise to the hot topics of the day.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is critical for getting booked on TV and radio. What knowledge and experience can you add to the discussion of a hot topic? Be creative. We booked one of my clients, who had written a book on parenting, on a show about legalizing marijuana because she had advice for parents who want to say \u201cyes\u201d to pot for themselves and \u201cno\u201d to pot for their kids. What interesting angle can you bring to the topics on everyone\u2019s minds?<\/p>\n

3. Have a good elevator pitch.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In three or four sentences I need to know who you are, why I should listen to you, what problem you\u2019re going to solve, how it affects me, and what fresh ideas you have as solutions. A client of mine literally found herself in an elevator with a radio producer, gave her pitch, and by the time the elevator got to her floor she was booked on the producer\u2019s show.<\/p>\n

4. Prepare to go on-camera.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You need to be authentic, articulate and high energy to look confident and engaging on television. I do plenty of on-camera practice interviews with my clients to get them comfortable and ready for television<\/a>. My client Judy Carter was so comfortable and genuine when she was on the Marie Osmond show that Marie sat in her lap after 30 seconds because she liked her so much! Watch here:<\/p>\n