So you want to sell your story to the press?
So you want to sell your story to the press?
Recently I received an email an interviewee who had already sold his real life story.
In fact, I remembered seeing published in the press in a variety of different national newspapers.
They were upset because having been approached by a journalist and put their trust in him and they were verbally promised some money they have since been unable to get hold of him. Now they wanted my advice on what to do next.
And they are not the only ones.
While the vast majority of journalists, publicists, and media agencies do carry out what is often a difficult job (liaising with an interviewee and a national newspaper or magazine) with integrity, as in any profession there are bound to be those that do not.
Sadly, for this interviewee, it was too late as I can do nothing to help once someone has gone ahead selling their story to the press, flattered by the interest from a journalist, but without taking any proper advice.
Some people, it must be said, are not willing to listen, even to a professional media agent. One man who came to me to sell a story recently, then told me he'd had interest from a big national newspaper.
"I don't need you now," he said (or rather sneered), "I've been a market trader all my life I've always had to stand on my own two feel and now I've proved I can sell my story myself." I did try to tell him selling vegetables was different from selling real life stories. I tried to say interest' from a national newspaper had to be dealt with carefully, with caution. I tried to tell him there might be pitfalls he hadn't thought of. But he wasn't having any of it.
Needless to say, the deal' with the newspaper fell through. By thoughtlessly storming ahead he had irreparably damaged his chances of selling his story (no point in me approaching that editor after he had spoken his piece)
Yet, if you want to sell your story safely you want to be paid and keep control over your story as it's printed in a newspaper or magazine it's really very simple.
Here are the golden rules:
Don't talk to strangers! Yes, basic stuff. But don't let the seemingly nice reporter through your front door in the first place (even if it is raining and he's driven miles.) Only invite him in once you've googled his name, agency or publication. And you are absolutely sure you do want to tell your story.
Only do an interview once you have sorted out the basics will you be paid? Can that person sell your story round the world without your consent? Will the reporter read your quotes back to you? Will your story go on the front page or is it just a small part of a bigger feature?
Put the reporter's name into google. If they say they represent a certain publication, then ring the editorial department of that newspaper or magazine to check.
And if you are selling your story online, don't contact any faceless' agencies who for some reason have not put their names to their website. They might be shy, they are probably fine but who knows. In short, unless you have researched them (and it's not hard to google someone's name these days) they could be anyone!
Because, if selling your story all goes wrong, there will be no point in seeking advice after the event.
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