PR: Are you a guest, guest expert, or expert?

Recently I was pitching a guest booker with national TV. She asked, “Is he a guest, guest expert, or expert?” In this blog post, I’ll explore what this guest booker meant by this question so you too can benefit from earned editorial news coverage of your expertise, book, nonprofit, organization, or business. I have called myself a “storyteller to the media” for decades. As a former professional storyteller for children’s parties, I not only identify as the archetype storyteller, but I also craft my life around stories. I’ve realized in the second half of my life that stories we consume, consume us. Better think about this the next time you binge-watch yet another series on your favorite streaming service.

When I completed my master’s degree in human development, topics I researched included how humans came to pursue health, wealth, and love in the 21st century. Overwhelmingly people I surveyed reported reading books as their primary source of personal development. This was above therapy, church, behavioral change support groups, and more. I was stunned. I realized early on in my life that stories are unique to humans and as such, we make meaning out of lives based on the stories we share with each other.

So, what story are you sharing today? Yesterday? Last week? Better yet, what story in your life are you keeping afloat? Maybe it’s a story you might be better served to leave in the past. Maybe the stories you keep secret should have light shed upon them?

As you ask yourself these questions, consider press professionals are simply looking for a good story to share themselves. It’s how newsmakers are acknowledged and awarded. So, it makes sense when they ask, “What’s your story?” Or they might ask me, “Who’s the character, the expert or supporting people in the storyline?”

PR (public relations) is simple. It’s amplifying your story to the masses. That’s it.

When a national TV booker asks, “Are you a guest, guest expert, or expert?” They are simply crafting the possible story they can share with you as one of the characters. Most people care about health, so let’s break this down using a health segment.

GUEST: A person who is willing to lose weight.

GUEST EXPERT: A person who has lost 50 pounds, kept it off, and is willing to share how they did it with another person.

EXPERT: This is a person who has a degree in fitness, nutrition and is a recognized expert by those in their field.

Most people who have written a book are experts in their fields. If not, they are certainly guest experts. Almost everyone can be a guest. So, which are you?

If you’ve been following our #21DayPR challenges this past year in the pandemic, you’ll remember hearing about Clayton Moore, author of, “Good Cop Bad Cop: Guilty Until Proven Innocent.” Here’s the press kit we prepared for him in the #RealPRinRealTime challenge: Claytonmoore.onlinepresskit247.com

I’m so pleased to let everyone know we have had national TV interest in Clayton. There are many other placements, too, and we will update you when they are published. So, stay tuned! One thing that people neglect to factor into PR campaigns is first the interviews have to take place and second the press venue has to publish them. That takes time. You can check the press kit for updates on what has been published thus far.

We’ve had overwhelming feedback on the donated PR services and coaching we’ve done the past year. It’s really been our pleasure and we do plan to do more with the Nonfiction Authors Association. Join them here: NonFictionAuthorsAssociation.com

Naturally, we’ll continue to offer free services through PitchRate.com. If you have a blog topic or PR need yourself, don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] and here is our YouTube channel with the recent pitch sessions participants completed with me.

Finally, if you feel you’re a candidate to be interviewed for my Thrive Global column, write to Hannah and let us know. You can see my interview with Jason St. Julien here.

When you do write, tell me if you’re: