What's a great way to impress the producers and get on their talk show? Follow the advice of jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie: "It's not how much you play. It's how much you leave out." Keep your list of talking points by the phone when you call a producer (or a producer calls you), so you'll be succinct. You will already have rehearsed your points so that they'll sound natural and inviting.

Be prepared with several different angles or pitches, different ways to slant your information. "Nobody gets on these shows without a pre-interview," says publicist Leslie Rossman. "Be a great interview but don't worry about the product you want to sell them because if you're a great guest and you make great TV, they'll want you." And keep in mind the words of Robert Frost: "Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it." 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."