Forty one million people watch Oprah every week!  For 14 years a San Anselmo, California media and marketing coach, Susan Harrow, who is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah has monitored the Oprah show to learn what it takes to be chosen to be on Oprah and to be a successful guest and can coach you to get there! One secret, that is part of making a difference in the world is: "Focus on how you can serve, rather than what you can get!"
 

Oprah, as most of us know, is the holy grail of books and products.  Even if you are a full-time publicist, getting a guest on Oprah is a major milestone!    One of her pointers is to first "identify the negative"--that is "how is your home environment poisoning you?"  How can your skin care products harm you?  That is, create an alert of the immenent danger of something, partifularly for Oprah, children, pets or women.  Then go positive and tell how your book or media product can solve or illeviate the problem.

Oprah, Susan says, focuses on issues that are important to women, in the areas of education, protecting women and children from abuse and  the bigger picture of people contributing to the community.  She has added anti-aging issues recently.

Another pointer is beauty is important to Oprah.  She doesn't care how good your product is--if it is not beautiful it won't get on her show.  Also, you need to be an expert in your field, and to be "mediagenic"--that is authentic, natural, and can talk in 20-30 second sound bites!  Even if you get on the show and are not prepared, you won't get the results you are seeking.

I am reminded of the hilarious film, "What About Bob?" where the psychiatrist author (Richard Dryfus) gets on "Good Morning America" to publicize his book and freezes up--so that his gregarious and charismatic patient (Bill Murray) who forces his way onto the set takes over the interview and is a hit with the viewers.  That same patient goes on to become a psychologist and write books himself!

You must honestly assess whether you have the personality type (definitely extroverted, gregarious, confident and assured in your field--and humor helps tremendously) to take the heat of such powerful exposure.    Susan recommends that your attitude is very important too.  "Determine your deepest intention.  Focus on how you can serve rather than what you can get."  She says to watch the show, practice what to say, choose anecdotes and one-liners that back up your story and make it compelling."  for more advice, Susan's book may be purchased at:  www.prsecrets.com