How to Level Up Your Media Game As An Author

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🎙️ How to Level Up Your Media Game as an Author

You wrote the book… now it’s time to get SEEN. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to position yourself for TV appearances, magazine features, podcast interviews, and more—all by getting your media game tight.

We’re talking professional headshots (put that phone down), polished bios, branded domains, and why every author needs a press release and media kit.

Visibility is currency. If you want to attract major media, you need to look like you belong there. Let me show you how to build your media presence like a pro.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to Published in Black Podcast,
where authors don't just publishbooks, they build movements.
I'm your host, tiffany AGreenhood, and today I'm coming
straight for that.
I'm low-key spirit that'sholding so many authors back.
The title of today's episode issimple Level Up your Media Game

(00:20):
as an Author Because, let's behonest, some of y'all out here
writing powerful books, but yourvisuals Looking like you used a
flip phone in 2009.
It's time to grow up your brand.
Let me start here you cannotask people to take you seriously
if you don't look serious.
You got all these deep chapters, your message is powerful, your

(00:44):
testimony is real, but thephoto on your book cover looked
like a Sunday selfie from yourbathroom.
No, ma'am, no sir.
You need professional photosthat say I'm media ready.
I know who I am.
Yes, you can feature me.
Yes, you can feature me.
Let me put it this way yourbrand should walk into the room

(01:05):
before you do yes, this part,the important part and before
you ask yes, it's worth theinvestment.
You pay for hair, you pay fornails, you pay to be seen at
everybody's event, so why notpay to be positioned Positioned

(01:27):
for your own voice, message,book or brand.
And let me remind you make sureyou hire a professional
photographer.
After 17 years in professionalphotography, I advise you to
study professional photographyfor what you need for your
business or brand.
Make sure the photographerknows lighting I've seen too
many clients waste money withthe wrong photographer and be

(01:49):
sure that you understand whatkind of poses you need power
poses, head shots, and not afashion shoot that cannot be
used on a flyer, magazine coveror website.
I'm just saying Once you've gotyour photos, let's talk about
your media kit.
A media kit is not optional.

(02:09):
I don't care if you justlaunched your first book or
you've got five under your belt.
If you want media, you need aresume for your brand.
Your media kit should includebio, professional headshots,
press release or brand story,social stats or engagement
highlights, book titles anddescriptions, speaking topics or

(02:32):
interview angles.
This is how you get booked.
This is how you get on radio,podcasts, tv and even magazine
features.
You know what they say, evenmagazine features.
You know what they say Stayready, so you don't have to get
ready.
Now let's level up again.
A press release isn't just forbig corporations, it's for you.

(02:53):
Everything you announce,accomplish or succeed in
deserves a press release.
Check out a website calledFiverrcom.
Thank me later.
Your book launch is news.
Your tour is news.
Your story is absolutelynewsworthy.
Stop waiting for some high-endpublicist or PR expert to tell

(03:15):
you that your story or yourbrand or message is newsworthy.
You should already know that,so why aren't you telling it?
Press releases position you asmore than just another author.
They show the world you are abrand with something to say and
they help you get picked up bylocal media.
News blogs and nationalpublications Want features.

(03:39):
Write your story like aheadline, not a handout.
Let me tell you somethingYou're not waiting for your big
break.
You are the break.
You just haven't shown up likeit yet.
If you had the media kit, thephotos, the press release and
the confidence, you'd already befeatured.

(03:59):
Here's what magazine editors andTV producers are looking for A
compelling story, a visual topair with it, a guest who is
already positioned.
They want to know can thisperson deliver a message that
matters?
Do they look polished on camera?
Do they have content ready todrop?
If you've got those answers inplace, you'll go from asking for

(04:22):
interviews to getting requestedfor features.
So how do you stop blending inand start standing out?
Let me give it to you.
Plain, book the photo shoot.
Don't overthink it.
Plan outfits that representyour brand and get you 20, 30
fire shots.
You can rotate all year.
Create your media kit or hiresomeone who can.
This is your digital businesscard and branding resume.

(04:46):
Write a press release launchinga book, hosting an event,
telling your story.
Put it in press format anddistribute it.
Practice your interview voiceIf you want to be on TV or
podcasts.
Get comfortable answeringquestions with clarity,
conviction and presence.
Show up like a movement.
Stop posting like you're justtrying.
Show up like a movement.
Stop posting like you're justtrying.

(05:07):
You are already it.
Talk like it, walk like it,post like it.
Let me leave you with this.
Authors write stories, butbrands make headlines.
Which one are you?
If you're tired of beingoverlooked, if you're tired of
writing masterpieces that don'tget the recognition they deserve
, then it's time to stop playingsmall and start building a

(05:31):
public presence.
You don't need to be famous tobe featured, you just need to be
ready.
This is Published in Black,where we don't just publish
books, we shift culture.
Talk to y'all.
Next episode, visitpublishwithtiffanycom.