How can you get on a talk show? What kind of guest are the producers looking for? Producers want a decisive guest. They want someone who can handle the fast pace of the show itself and someone who doesn't balk at jumping on a plane in a few hours. "They don't want to smell fear at all," says Prokop. "If you say, `That's so soon,' you're out. The Leeza show called one of our authors on a Friday and said they had an expert scheduled and she can't come. We need a replacement. We'll fly you out on Monday and shoot on Tuesday. The author gasped and her voice trembled." Then she made a major gaff. "She said, `Let me get right back to you and check my calendar.' She called me for permission! She was just so shocked when the big opportunity happened. It took the air out of her lungs. We said, `Call back right now!' By the time she called back they had booked someone else. They're not calling for social reasons."

Producers are always on deadline. And this was a Friday afternoon. They don't have time for a call back - ever. Especially when a scheduled guest cancels they need their experts now. I once heard a saying, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." If you want to be on a show, their poor planning may constitute an emergency on your part. Prokop's client lost the deal out of momentary fear, and not handling the producer's emergency. Don't do the same.

For more great tips on how to make sure that you're the one being interviewed on a TV talk show, read "Secrets to Get TV Talk Show Hosts to Book You As Their Guest."