Find out if you’re really Oprah worthy. Take the quiz built on an insider’s experience and a thorough analysis of every author who has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show since November 2005.Every publicist, publisher, and distributor in the book industry has heard it a million times from authors: “I think I’m perfect for Oprah!” After booking an author on Oprah and watching the truly unbelievable—more accurate description: utterly frightening—effect the appearance had on sales, I understand your hunger for the booking. On the other hand, Oprah is the pie in the sky media hit and most authors are not appropriate for the show. The following quiz is an attempt to either (a) save you from becoming a cliché—you need to know if you’re making people’s eyes roll behind your back—or (b) validate your belief that you are indeed a good fit for Oprah.
DISCLAIMER AND A NOTE ABOUT THE “X” FACTOR: First, I’d like to clarify that this quiz tests an author’s chances of being booked as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, not a book’s chances of being named a selection for Oprah’s Book Club. Second, I’d like to point out that, obviously, there is no scientific formula to assess your Oprah worthiness; however, this quiz will measure five key indicators. I don’t believe that the sixth—and perhaps most important—indicator can be measured in a self-assessment quiz, so I purposefully omitted it. The “X” factor I’m referring to is quality. More specifically, I’m referring to the quality of the content (i.e., message) and the product (i.e., production quality—editing, design, packaging—and distribution). Only the best make it to Oprah, so appreciate the weight of this factor when reviewing your score, and make tempered adjustments as you see fit.
THE QUIZ: Number a blank sheet of paper from 1-5, and record your answer to each question beside the corresponding number. For questions that require a rating of 1-5, assume 5 to be the highest possible score. Good luck!
1. Record the number next to the topic/genre that best describes your book.
Choose only one:
Celebrity Biography/Memoir: 5
Current Events: 4
Addiction: 3
Health/Beauty/Aging: 5
Personal Finance: 4
Cooking: 2
Fiction or Noncelebrity Memoir: 2
Relationships/Sex/Sexuality: 5
Home Decorating/Domestic: 3
Other: 1
2. Rate your celebrity (or the fame of the subject of your book, if a biography) on a scale of 1-5.
REALITY CHECK: I would be a 1, the average NY Times bestseller would be a 3, Michael Jordan would be a 5.
3. Rate the level of inspiration in your book on a scale of 1-5.
REALITY CHECK: Try to be as objective as possible.
4. Are you working with a publicist who has booked an author on Oprah in the past?
Yes: 5, No: 1
5. Have you ever appeared on national television?
Yes: 5, No: 1
THE RESULTS: If your total is 13 or less (maybe that number really IS unlucky!), you need to take a couple eggs out of the Oprah basket. Though dark horses often land Oprah appearances, it’s not likely that you’ll get a booking, so be sure to spread your publicity efforts around to other big—and small—media outlets.
If you scored a 14-20, you have a real shot at Oprah. The factors that will most likely determine whether or not you make it on the show are timing, the quality of your connection to the show’s producers, the quality of your book and its content, and luck (i.e. relevance to Oprah’s planned show topics). You should be working on your message, your media skills, and your timing. Communicate with your publisher and distributor, and make sure you have a supply chain ready to support an appearance on Oprah. Give your publicists everything they need to land the booking, and provide them with only positive support. Negativity and nagging do not inspire publicists. Believe in them and trust in their abilities.
If your score is above 20, you’re likely a great fit for Oprah. Your chance of landing a booking will probably depend on timing and luck. Of course, the powerful variable—the quality of your book and its content—is not measured in this quiz. If you don’t get a booking on Oprah or another big show, you may consider soliciting honest feedback from industry insiders (who are NOT on your payroll) to see if your quality needs attention. If you get great reviews and other big media hits and still no Oprah, you may consider investing in a lucky charm of some sort, coming to peace with the idea that some things are simply not meant to be, and start working on your next Oprah-worthy book.
Check out what shows Oprah has in the works, and see if you’re a good fit for the topic.
Tags: get on oprah, how to get on tv, oprah, Oprah book club, Oprah Winfrey
A W E S O M E!
As a book industry veteran for more than ten years, rarely do I find such brilliance packaged into such a tiny amount of space.
Kudos!
I love this.
Thanks. Since publishing “Having My Say: Conversations With Chesapeake Bay Waterman Wylie ‘Gator’ Abbott,” I keep hearing it would be perfect for Oprah. Though flattered, I assumed the advice unrealistic. Now that I’ve taken your quiz, I can truthfully respond to the flattery by saying that I checked out the possiblity.
Great post … and highly useful. I’ve found in my work teaching authors, coaches, etc how to build platform that there’s a big gap. For these folks it’s in understanding that they have to fit into a show/magazine/radio program’s formula. That the show/book/etc. is not here to showcase them.
Formula rules because it’s what keeps the audience consistant and the advertisers happy. And so it all boils down to business. Keep up the great work … I’ll be checking in!
Suzanne Falter-Barns
http://www.getknownnowblog.com
Finally, I have an objective and authoritative source (besides myself!) to tell authors that their book actually may NOT be perfect for Oprah! Thanks so much!
[...] Maybe you’re sick of all this talk about how to get on Oprah. However, I just came across a quiz that is pretty good. It’s built on an insider’s experience and a thorough analysis of every author who has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show since November 2005. This quiz will help you discern whether it’s realistic for you to attempt to get on her show, or not. Remember, if your book isn’t Oprah material, that’s okay—there are plenty of other avenues to try to successfully sell and promote your book. My November newsletter will give you several excellent resources. One book I just came across that is very helpful and interesting is called PyroMarketing by Greg Stielstra, published by Harper Business. This brand-new book explains why mass marketing no longer works and shows you a four-step plan that does work.You can download a free introduction that outlines the concept. [...]
This is brilliant! I have been doing publicity for 30 years- and have appeared on Oprah… and the 1st words every author says when the come to me is ” I want to be on Oprah”. Now I can give them this quiz. Well done!
Great blog & quiz!
I am a literary agent and publisher. My client, Lynnette Khalfani, author of Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom and The Money Coach’s Guide to Your First Million will appear on Oprah tomorrow, 12/1/2006. It has been a long journey since we originally self published Zero Debt back in 2004.
Not only authors, but editors, marketing managers, publicists, and even sales reps at the major houses should use your quiz to determine the saleability of a story angle for their A list to Oprah or any other top rated show. Even though Million is published by MH, we had to do all of the heavy pr lifting on our own. This month, in addition to Oprah, we will appear on Tyra Banks and Rachael Ray!
EC
Great test. Great to have once I get famous.
Ha ha…I got a 15 Felicia! Very fun survey…Much love, k
[...] I was over at the Big Bad Book Blog and they have a quiz you can take to see if you are Oprah material. I bet you can guess how I scored. Not very well. But, I took it pretty well, being the realist I am. Go over there and see if you’re Oprah material and come back here and let us know how you did. [...]
Well, OK then, got a quiz for Montel?
;-P
This is a decent test. I used to dream of being interviewd by Oprah when my first two or three books were published. As an author whose books have now sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, I no longer have any thoughts about getting a call from Oprah’s producers. Heck, given that I read somewhere that even members of the audience have to pass an audition to get on the show, I likely couldn’t even get in the audience. And I have been on national TV in Canada at least 7 times, including the National News and the Dini Petty show. But the great thing is that there are many other ways to promote books that over the long run can be just as effective as being on Oprah.
Ernie Zelinski
Author of How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free.
(Over 80,000 copies Sold and Published in 7 Foreign Languages)
and
The Joy of Not Working
(over 225,000 copies sold and published in 17 languages)
Ouch. And I thought being an advocate for monogamy and being there for a breast cancer patient would be a winner. Despite my AATH national book award, my being named a 2007 Breast Cancer Champion, and getting rave reviews from readers (life changing…), I won’t stay by the phone waiting for O to give me a call.
Thanks for the reality check. On to my next book and other passions.
THE ROAD TO OPRAH, HOPEFULLY
Most authors will never get there, when you consider the massive traffic jam caused by conventionally published books let alone self-published ones (like mine). “The Road to Oprah, Hopefully” likely has more wannabe contestants than “American Idol” and all its international counterparts combined.
Quality, connections, timing, perseverance, luck… all are needed as BBBB has pointed out in this brilliant reality-check quiz.
I am the author of IN THE LONG RUN: A Hopeful World Odyssey, which sounds a bit like “The Road to Oprah, Hopefully” scenario. Actually, it’s about a fixer-upper former law clerk’s two-year frienship and discovery journey around the world on motorscooter Melawend. It was one hell of an education. Friends have said, “We’re going to get you on Oprah!”
I love my friends.
Reality check. While the book has been getting great reviews from readers, I’ve opted to also publish the book online free for a limited time. (There is method to that maddness.) I am also seeking blurbs from celebrities with whom there is a connection to the story. One success has been actor Ewan McGregor who gave me a fantastic hand-written blurb: “My two trips by bike were amazing and life changing but short compared to Tom’s two-year traveling extravaganza! One Man, One Scooter, One Hell of a Ride!”
While an appearance Oprah has proven to be the fastest route to success, it still boils down to driving WOM (Word-Of-Mouth)to and from your book. I realize there are many ways other than Oprah to get the word out.
But do study the who, how, what, when, where, and why of those who do get on Oprah. After imagining you have all of the qualifications this quiz suggests, perhaps visualizing yourself on Oprah can help you in your other efforts.
So a BIG thank you Big Bad Book Blog for this consise reality check.
To one and all, check your Oprah fantasy at the door to your writing room and simply keep plugging away (plug pun intended). Or perhaps incorporate the fantasy into your efforts. Either way, you never know… Oprah just might call YOU!
All the best!
THOMAS MARTIN SMITH
“The Scooter Crusader”
http://www.melawend.com
Hello Meg,
What an excellent, cogent, and insightful post! Thank you for sharing this reality check.
Manchild