Do You Have the Right Tools for the Attention You’re Attracting?

A breakdown of the three most common visibility assets authors need (and when to use them)

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If you’re doing the work to get noticed—sharing content, pitching podcasts, showing up consistently online—you’re already ahead of the game. Visibility creates opportunity. But when opportunity knocks, you don’t want to scramble.

That’s where a few crucial author marketing support tools come in.

A podcast host might ask for your one-sheet. A journalist may request your media kit. A conference organizer could want to see your speaker sheet before confirming you for a panel or keynote. These aren’t vanity documents. They’re professional tools that make it easier for someone to say yes.

They also demonstrate that you’re prepared, media-friendly, and positioned for growth.

You don’t need all of them at once (and you may never need all of them)—but you do need the right one at the right time. Here’s how to know what’s what.

One-Sheet: Your Pitch at a Glance

A one-sheet—sometimes called a podcast one-sheet or pitch sheet—is a single-page document you send when pitching yourself for a podcast. Think of it as your personal press pass. It's designed to be skimmed quickly and should answer the unspoken question: “Would this person be a great guest?”

A strong one-sheet includes a professional headshot, a brief author bio, a short summary of your book (or books), a few suggested interview questions or topics, and clear contact information. Optional but helpful: your website or social links.

This is the tool I recommend most often for authors just getting started with podcast pitching. It's clear, concise, and saves hosts time—which is exactly the point.

Media Kit: Your Digital Proof of Visibility

A media kit isn’t just a collection of files—it’s your curated, clickable portfolio. The goal is social proof. You’re giving media professionals a snapshot of your relevance—and showing them they’re not taking a risk by saying yes.

A strong media kit includes a full bio, professional headshots, book details and links, your contact info, email list count, and social media handles with follower counts. But the most important section? Past appearances. This is where you create a clickable list of podcast interviews, articles, guest blogs, or media coverage you’ve already received.

This is social proof. It’s your way of saying, “Others trusted me—you can, too.”

This is especially useful for non-fiction authors, subject-matter experts, or fiction authors who are gaining traction and want to position themselves for speaking, collaboration, or broader media visibility. If you're actively pitching, this is one of the best tools you can have on hand.

Speaker Sheet: Your On-Stage Preview

If you're booking (or want to start booking) speaking opportunities—at conferences, libraries, festivals, panels, or workshops—a speaker sheet helps organizers understand how you show up in front of an audience.

It includes your headshot, short bio, a list of signature talk topics or workshop titles, contact information, and, ideally, testimonials from past events or podcasts. Some speaker sheets also include logistics like speaker fees, and appropriate audiences.

Even fiction authors can benefit from having a speaker sheet. If you’ve spoken at book clubs, led writing workshops, or presented on a topic connected to your book (historical research, mental health themes, setting development, etc.), you have something to offer beyond the page.

Which One Do You Need?

If you’re starting to pitch podcasts or build your visibility online, start with a one-sheet. It’s the easiest entry point and can grow with you.

If you’re being asked for links to past appearances or pitching multiple types of media, a media kit is your best next step. This is often a webpage or designed PDF that you can send ahead of or after interviews.

If you’re hoping to speak—or already are—a speaker sheet helps you present yourself clearly and professionally. It's a small detail that makes a big impression. And gets you hired.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be prepared for the next opportunity. That’s where these tools come in.

Don’t Just Wing It When You’re Ready to Be Seen

Building visibility means stepping into new spaces: podcasts, publications, panels, partnerships.

Having these materials in place makes it easier for people to say yes. And if they’re not quite ready yet, that’s okay. Start with the one that matches where you are—and build as you go.

If you're ready to build one of these tools—or you need help figuring out where to start—I can help. Whether you want to learn how to create them yourself or need someone to take it off your plate, I offer coaching, consulting, and done-for-you options.

You can learn more here:
👉 https://lynnmcginnis.co/work-with-lynnmcg

Visibility is already coming your way. Let’s make sure you’re ready for it.

Not sure what’s standing between you and the readers you want to reach?
Let’s take 30 minutes to look at where you are, where you want to go, and what might be getting in the way. If I can help close the gap, I’ll share how — whether that’s coaching, consulting, or done-for-you support.
Book your free UnStuck appointment here.

Lynn brings her more than 30-years experience in small business marketing, publishing, and multiple best-selling author campaigns to her Substack newsletter. She helps authors build and grow their platforms to reach their unique marketing goals through private coaching, non-fiction consulting, and done-for-you marketing programs. And all this, through her computer, in her little lake house in rural Pennsylvania which she shares with her husband, son, and two fluffy companions, Kaiju and Bella.