So You Want To Be On Oprah

I am sure at some point and time in your personal and/or professional lives, you've had the burning desire to be featured on Oprah. Of course, not all of you but most of you. However, I am speaking to that select few you who long to enhance their brand, gain exposure or become an overnight success. This is totally doable, IF, just IF you could land an interview on Oprah. Wouldn't that be grand?!



Well here are a few quick tips to get you well on your way to being interviewed by the Queen of All Media. But, before you are booked, promise me this - Don't jump on her couch! It could be detrimental to your career! :)



TIP ONE: Get to know Oprah. Oprah's influence.

Oprah is the number one talk show host in America. Called the "Queen of All Media" by Time Magazine, she is discussed reverentially as "The Holy Grail of all publicity." Oprah isn't just admired for her honesty, compassion and forthright nature, Vanity Fair Magazine says, "Oprah Winfrey arguably has more influence on the culture than any university president, politician, or religious leader, except perhaps the Pope."


TIP TWO: Know the show.

Search "topic alert." Go to https://www.oprah.com/mbr/mbr_new_profile.jspto sign up to become a member. Once you join you'll be taken to a page where you can choose to be alerted to upcoming Oprah shows. Though the topic is planned and Oprah may have all the guests for that particular show lined up, it doesn't mean you can't get on that show or a subsequent one. Oprah often does one topic and then creates spin-offs from the popular ones.


TIP THREE: Evaluate your limits and capabilities.

Ensure Oprah's producers can find you easily in many places. When Oprah's producers search for experts they search the places where experts are found. To be perceived as an expert it's a good idea to have some media attention already. If you haven't had any now is the time. Subscribe to Dan Janal's PR Leads service. He's teamed up with ProfNet to deliver a highly personalized version of the service (before now available only to PR firms) to experts, authors and speakers. For less than $100 a month the service delivers leads from reporters who are working on stories and need experts direct to you via email in your chosen topic or subject area. This means that you're responding to reporters who are working on stories right now and who want your information. Go to http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=20994. This is a great way to get media exposure.



TIP FOUR: Realize what it takes to be a guest.

Solve a problem for Oprah and her staff. Do a personal good deed for Oprah. Have you noticed something Oprah and her staff need that you have? Do you have a skill that can make some process easier for Oprah? Organizing guru Julie Morgenstern author of "Organizing from the Inside Out." (Owl Books) transformed Oprah's producers' offices from untidy mounds of paper and other flotsam to an orderly and neat environment. What will your good deed be for Oprah?