54. Book Review: Building Media Buzz

By: Marisa D’vari

Publishing house: Jaico

Building media Buzz provides valuable insights and insider stories on how to get the leverage media, through interviews and stories, to make sure your message reaches the target and has the intended impact. The book provides tips, summaries and different stories which hold the reader’s interest throughout. Interestingly the writer has included quotes from renowned people before every chapter to give a crux of what it entails and assignments after each chapter to implement the learnings.

The book explores how one can build buzz on different media platforms such as print, radio and television in different ways. From getting the right kind of interviews in print, reaching the target audience through radio, to creating celebrity status via television, Building Media Buzz covers all aspects.

Marisa D’vari has explained in detailed pointers on how to develop your news hook and become a media darling. Under this, she writes about the importance of identifying the target audience, focusing on different and interesting story angles, the importance of reading daily papers and keeping eye on the current affairs, considering questions from the clients and customers to come up with story ideas, and media release and headlines. 

When it comes to getting interviewed by the print media, the author writes that the person could aim for positioning itself as an expert source in their niche. Journalist like stories which add value to their reader’s knowledge and expert interviews do that job perfectly. The author stresses how mainstream media coverage could elevate prestige in the minds of clients and how we can leverage media to do that effectively. If not pitching on the story, one could opt for Radio-TV Interview Report (RTIR) depending upon their area of expertise to send their message across.

“When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” Writing this quote from Thomas Carlysle, the author says, “In today’s increasingly competitive world, television is the most powerful weapon in your arsenal for establishing yourself as the expert of choice”

The book contains various examples to support the context such as:

·         How Debbie Allen, author of Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters used RTIR to convey her message which motivated radio producers to call her for more interviews.

·         She gave an example of Management consultant Rebecca Morgan and her appearance in the Oprah Winfrey Show even though she knew her target audience is not there. By this, the author explained that one should look at the larger picture and do things that add value and prestige to your reputation even if it is not directly linked to your business results.

·         The Nicholas Boothman, author of How to Connect in Business and his realisation of the need for media training.

Building Media Buzz is filled with many more stories like this which provides a valuable insight on how to identify the right set of target audience, reach, and impress them by leveraging media and getting your communication right to create a buzz.