As I so often say, everyone has a story to tell. And while that’s still 100% true, it doesn’t come without its challenges in 2026, especially if you plan to share your book message or expertise with the media this year.
With AI officially part of our normal, and ChatGPT able to swiftly write full-length stories in a matter of seconds, earning media attention and standing out as a trusted source is more important than ever, yet far more difficult to achieve.
So, how do you break through the noise and get the media to pay attention to your book or expertise this year?
Nardi’s Take: If your goal is to include PR in your promotional plan but you prefer to avoid agency prices, programs like Nardi Media’s new done-with-you PR offering, PR PocketMentor is the perfect place to start.
It’s not just learning how to do PR. It’s getting expert-led guidance on the exact steps and tools you need to reach your audience on TV, on the radio, on podcasts, and in print/online platforms.
If you’re not quite ready for this kind of support, keep reading for 9 steps to help you get the media attention your book message or expertise deserves!
1. Make a List Media.
This is a list of target media outlets that you’d love to share your message with. Media Wish Lists are an important part of Nardi Media’s strategy when crafting customized PR programs for our clients. Media outlets to include are TV/radio, print/online, and podcast outlets, depending on your goal. As a media relations expert and trainer for more than a decade, I always recommend including a mix of all outlets to cast a wide net.
The most important part of a Media Wish List is to ensure the outlets you choose reach your target audience for your book or expertise. Why? Because your message isn’t for everyone, nor should it be! So, be sure to get really clear and specific on who you are targeting in your Media Wish List!
2. Think Like a Journalist.
Telling your story to the media and writing your story in a book or blog post are very different ways of communicating. That’s why I recommend putting on your journalist hat and asking yourself: What does a journalist need that I can offer? What topics are they covering that I can speak to? To find the answer, do some research on the outlets from your Media Wish List. Do they cover any topics or genres (i.e., lifestyle, science, wellness) that you could speak on? Next, find the journalists who have covered stories on those given topics or genres.
Pro tip: If you find their contact information, save it so you can use it for pitching later!
3. Tie Your Message Into the News Cycle with a “Hook”.
To ensure your story stands out in the media, it needs a “hook” to make it newsworthy. A hook can be new research, a national holiday or awareness day, or a timely topic related to your message. If you’re stuck, I always recommend scanning the news to see if you find any topics related to your subject matter or book message. The National Day Calendar is also a great resource for upcoming holidays or awareness days, weeks, or months that might be relevant to your message.
For example, when I wrote my book, Authentic Power, about my journey with trauma and tips to help others improve their mental health, I pitched myself to speak about National Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Here I am on Hello Iowa sharing my tips!
4. Be Prepared to Newsjump.
Breaking news happens every day. Sometimes, it’s unrelated to your message. But other times, it aligns. When it does, pitch yourself! Any time there is breaking news, the media wants to offer answers to their audience as soon as possible. If you have answers, the chances of you being booked for an interview are highly likely.
But you have to act fast and jump on it before the moment passes! That’s why it’s called “newsjumping”. And due to the fast-paced nature of newsjumping, you have to be prepared to interview with the media right away. This is an opportunity to increase your visibility as a subject matter expert on an important issue or topic, and if you aren’t available to speak on it, they’ll find someone else who is.
5. Clarify Your Message.
Honing your message is crucial for breaking through the media clutter. If you want to be remembered, your message has to be clear, easy to understand, and offer practical insights for the audience. When honing your message, be sure to keep it relevant to the audience you’re speaking to. If you share insights that the audience doesn’t understand or can’t relate to, you’ve lost them.
Pro tip: Practice speaking your message out loud, especially if you hope to book TV, radio, and podcast interviews. The way we write is completely different from the way we speak!
6. Position Yourself as a Trusted Expert.
As I mentioned, credibility matters more than ever. When you pitch yourself to the media, touch on your background: your expertise, career, and accolades. Include actionable takeaways, insights, or steps to help the outlet’s audience solve a problem that are unique to you and your book or expertise. This is NOT the time to ask ChatGPT for help. You will lose credibility very quickly!
Pro tip: Do NOT use your pitch email or interview to promote your book or business offerings alone. Coming off as overly promotional or pushy will prevent you from becoming a trusted expert in the eyes of the media.
7. Keep Your Pitch Short & Sweet.
When your pitch is too long, your pitch will get ignored. Journalists and bookers love short, sweet, and easy-to-read pitches. They have busy lives and only have so much time. You’re doing them–and yourself–a favor by keeping your pitch to the point so they can quickly understand that you’d be a great fit to join their show or platform as an expert.
The same rule goes for email subject lines. Why? Because a subject line is the difference between your pitch email getting opened or ignored. A good subject line will encourage the journalist or booker on the other end of your email to open it, which is half the battle!
8. Be Persistent AND Patient.
Following up with the media is crucial if you want your pitch to be seen. But if you follow up every day, and worse, with a negative tone, your pitch will get ignored. It’s important to remember that members of the media have full, busy days, just as we do. They get thousands (yes, I said thousands!) of emails every day. That’s why you must follow up, but do so with kindness!
9. Get Expert Support.
If getting media attention on your own feels overwhelming, I encourage you to learn more about our PR PocketMentor, Nardi Media’s new, done-with-you PR program that ensures you have everything you need to land meaningful media coverage, without paying agency prices.
You’ll get paired with a dedicated Senior Media Coach who will not only teach you how to get media attention for your book or expertise, but will help you get noticed, get featured, and get results every step of the way.