Dear Oprah, Invite Bloggers on Your Program
Many people say that you're not really an influencer until you've been on the Oprah Winfrey show. And who can blame them – Oprah is, in the words of Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba – a mega-hub. She has the power to influence millions. Just look at the success of Oprah's Book Club.
Many of Oprah's guests find their way on to the program by writing in letters . We need to do the same. I have written the following letter to Oprah. Please fill in the blanks and submit it here. If enough of us send in emails, maybe Oprah will run a show with amazing tales of blogging.
Dear Oprah,
First, thank you for your program. Every day it provides rich inspiration to millions of Americans (and free cars to a select lucky few!). As a major media personality, you might be aware of a growing phenomenon called "blogging" – short for web logging. To my knowledge you haven’t had any bloggers on your program but now might be a great time to do so.
Blogging has empowered more than 8 million citizens worldwide to do great things. Some are citizen journalists. They report news and even occasionally fact-check the media as well. Dan Rather experienced this first hand, as I am sure you have heard. Other bloggers are using the personal publishing medium to express their pain and find spiritual guidance as they battle terrible diseases – such as cancer. Meanwhile thousands of employees inside corporate America are blogging and there are even celebrity bloggers as well.
I am one of these eight million bloggers. I blog on [insert your subject matter] at [URL]. If you would like my assistance in finding great bloggers for your program, please contact me at [email address].
Thank you for your time and for listening.
Sincerely,
[name]
PS – You should have your own blog too. Rosie does!
Yes! I so want to be on Oprah...especially if she gives away free designer pajamas for us blogggers.
Posted by: Nichelle | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 01:08 PM
Good idea, and the letter-writing campaign may work. Could also pitch an executive producer...but no doubt it would be more compelling for them to have 1 or 2 blogstars on...and then some "regular people" who blog...teens, grandmothers, etc.
Posted by: flak | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 02:44 PM
I don't know, maybe if we could get Jamie Foxx or Ben Affleck to start blogging. Good luck though!
Posted by: Jim Kukral | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 03:35 PM
Dr. Rubel -- you are a genius!
Posted by: Ben McConnell | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 04:35 PM
I think it's a wonderful opportunity for women, black and latino bloggers to get the recognition we deserve --especially women, who are the bilk of bloggers and diarists online.
Inviting me, Oprah hits those 3 demographics. I'm making sure she gets my email ... ¡y pronto!
Posted by: liza sabater | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 06:05 PM
Can we edit this to include "please feel free to interview anyone but Winer"? If she has Dave on there, blogging will die immediately ;-)
Posted by: Jeremy C. Wright | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 07:58 PM
Sure. I almost put this on a wiki.
Posted by: Steve Rubel | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 09:25 PM
Jim: Does David Duchovny count?
Posted by: Jeremy C. Wright | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 09:25 PM
Steve, A great idea. But, do you think Oprah's Production might get offended with all the e-mails, they might receive, clogging their servers, etc? Kind of spam :)
What, I would suggest is to start an online petition that people can sign on with their URL's and drop in comments too. These can be forwarded to the Oprah &CO.
She can even arrange for a blogger's meet as part of the production. Wouldn't that be cool? I do not mind flying to Chicago to participate. (If I get invited?)
I shall wait for your response, prior to doing my little bit.
Steve, you rock!
Posted by: Venky Krishnamoorthy | Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 11:25 PM
Steve - that's a brilliant idea. Although what i like best is that you've done the work of creating a letter that we can customize. Now let's hope when she finally does get some bloggers on they aren't Instapundit and Wonkette. I've seen far more of the both of them then I actually do in the blogosphere. I'd like to see more of the people who are genuinely valued by bloggers... not just those with Big Media cache.
Posted by: Melanie | Friday, March 25, 2005 at 01:30 AM
Hey! Here's my Oprah pitch from last year
http://www.texturadesign.com/archives/the_oprah_pitch.htm
Posted by: -b- | Friday, March 25, 2005 at 10:08 PM
Steve, Pheedo is putting together a blog for a TV personality that is going to be on an Oprah program. This person wants people to find her easily using a search engine after the show. She thought a blog would be the best tool to use to continue the conversation from her appearance. I know it is not quite what you are requesting but I will ask her to plant a seed with Oprah!
Posted by: Bill Flitter | Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 10:43 PM
I think that this is a great idea Oprah can do for blogging what she has done for books and reading
Posted by: Glen | Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 10:40 AM
Great idea!
I sent my letter and emphasized using blogs for business.
Posted by: Denise Wakeman | Friday, April 08, 2005 at 11:19 AM
Dear Oprah,
Hi Oprah my name is Dominique Thomas and I am 13 years old. Oprah my mom is a true fan of General Hospital when ever it is time for her to do her homework for school she would always be distracted by General Hospital. She talks to the television like it is going to respond to her. She'll miss a day of school just to watch General Hospital. Her favorite actors on General Hospital are "Sunny" and "Jason" because she says that they don't anything from anyone so please Oprah please let my mom meet them or just him anyone it does not matter at all. Please make this a dream come true for her. thank you o much. love Dominique Thomas
Posted by: Dominique Thomas | Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 01:10 PM
Hi Oprah,
I enjoy watching your show and the way you have helped others. I and my family have been through quite a bit in the last 12 years. My neck, back, tailbone, sacrum and head was injured in 1994. I have been suffering since. From being in a wheelchair for 5 years and then developing diabetes as a result. We really could use some kind of encouragement in our lives. My children and husband have been there in any way they could; even though my youngest child was 3years old when I got hurt. My oldest was 11 years old when I got hurt, and I have 4 children in between. Is there any way you can help make our lives better. Our home is in serious need of repair. Our hearts and belief in justice is in despair. Please Oprah just anything would make our day brighter.
Desiree Weiss
P.S. My Telephone# is 314-383-5928
Posted by: Desiree Weiss | Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 04:17 AM
Dear Oprah,
My name is Cassandra Conti I'm ten years old and I live in Georgetown Mass.My mom is a hairdresser and she has been dying to be on Oprah's Favorite Things.Between you and me she doesn't know that I'm writing to you so keep it a secret!P.S.I love your show and how you help people.
Love Casasnadra Conti,
My phone# is 978-352-5551
My address is 14 True Lane.
Posted by: Cassandra Conti | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 08:58 PM