Roshanda Pratt, also known in the digital streets as “The Rosho Live” is a storyteller strategist, visibility coach/consultant, producer, and speaker with over 20 years of experience in the TV and communications industry. With special appearances on CBS’ “The Talk,” NBC’s the “TODAY” show and more. Roshanda uses her platform to help influential women and organizations boost their marketing through brand storytelling, live video, and local media.
Founded in 2010, Roshanda is the CEO of The REP Network, a communications organization that leads small businesses, solopreneurs, and non-profits in building their reputation through media and marketing channels.
She is the author of the Amazon bestsellers: CEO of Live Video: Discover the Fundamentals of Dominating Live Video and Visibility is Power: Discover the Power of Being Seen and Heard. Roshanda believes that “Visibility is Power and is dedicated to ensuring brands reach their full potential.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up writing a book?
I come from a generation of storytellers; my Trinidadian grandmother was a masterful storyteller. As a child, when we would visit each other, she would share her tales of life in the Caribbean. She had a way of drawing you in emotionally – this helped whet my appetite for telling stories that sell. In the fourth grade, my West Indian father told me as an American, it is my responsibility to know what was going on in my community and country. He would make me watch the news all the time. The cool part was that, unlike my peers, I was always up to date with current events. At that moment as a child, my interest in journalism sparked – but I always had an equal fascination with written words. For 20 years, I worked behind the scenes as a television news producer.
My first book, CEO of Live Video, was born after the numerous questions I would receive about doing live video. I decided to take the questions and give an answer in book form that would educate entrepreneurs and organizations on how to master live video. I love this book because it combines my years of experience as a television news producer along with my journey with live video.
A coach and friend challenged me to write to establish my expertise. She saw the potential way before I ever did. The repeated questions about the live stream platform allowed me to speak to what was going on in the industry in an authentic way. My television news career also added to my ability to share with people how to do media well.
What were the top mistakes you made writing or publishing your first book?
The biggest mistake I made with writing and publishing my first book is overthinking the process. I had this book idea and was so married to it that when I was writing the book and lost my book draft, it forced me to stop and rethink. Losing an entire draft is not fun, but it was a reminder that though I may have a good idea, what is it that people really need? What they needed was a book to walk them through the steps of mastering live video. So, once I stopped overthinking the process and just got down to the core of solving the problem that my target audience had, I was able to publish a book that has helped and served so many.
Another challenge I faced as a new author was connecting with other authors. I could have done a better job at connecting with other authors on those days when writing seemed impossible or tough. If I would have reached out to authors I knew, I could have leaned on them as I faced the hardships of writing and publishing a book. Do not go alone through the writing process – find a community of authors or a mentor and lean on them when you face challenges. Challenges are inevitable -we all need people to help and encourage us along the way.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before publishing your first book?
I wish I knew more about the details of the book publishing process. Here is what I mean – book dimensions, font sizes, and even front cover design. There are so many components to publishing a book and all those things are important to the experience of the reader. While I am pleased with what we created for my first book, hiring additional support for my second book was a game-changer. You don’t know what you don’t know. So, hire someone who knows more than you.
I love marketing. I am a storyteller, and I love bringing people in on the process. When we released my second book, Visibility Is Power, we allowed my followers and social community to pick the book cover. We gave them two options and put it to a vote. Readers love to feel part of the process. With my second book, we held a virtual book signing. I set up a live video, read excerpts from the book, and dropped a link where people could order from me directly. As orders came in, I had my husband monitoring, and I would sign their book live. People loved it. Just imagine your favorite author signing your book live. Yes, you are someone’s favorite author. We had to get creative and think of ways to engage our community and develop techniques that would get people excited about the book and ready to purchase.
What helps you stay driven and motivated?
This thought keeps me motivated: My visibility is not about me. I am driven by this thought, that I am someone’s solution, and if I do not show up, they are stuck in their problem. It becomes less about me and more about the people I am called to impact and influence.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
I am learning about owning the message. I think we release a book and then breathe a sigh of relief because “it is done.” But it is about being branded with your message. I tell authors you are the first partaker of your message, and then you go live it before the reader ever does. Give visibility to your message and own it.
“A candle can light a smaller space versus a city that can illuminate blocks. Both have the same function of light, just a different capacity. You must give yourself permission to show up even if it’s a candle that later becomes a city.”
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I want readers to have the permission to embrace the power of being seen and heard. I would like for the stories in the book to permit readers to show up in their lives and businesses.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I have learned not to change a thing. Seriously, I know every disappointment, every challenge, and every win are sentences in the bigger chapter that makes up the book called my story. My career became my training ground, leading me to the pathway of a visibility producer. If I would change, that I more than likely won’t be here.
When will you consider your book a success?
The success of my book is measured in the stories of people impacted by the work I am doing.
What exactly is a visibility coach and a live stream strategist, and what led you to that career?
Facts tell, and stories sell. In my 20 years as a television news producer, I learned pictures and words together make the perfect marriage. I want people to be sold on the marriage of storytelling. But what gets in the way of showing up and telling your story is confidence, fear, and the unknown. As a visibility producer/coach and live stream strategist, I take my experience and show people how to own their narrative.
Tell us about both books and how they can help other entrepreneurs or business owners?
CEO of Live Video is a step-by-step on how to connect and convert your live audience. Some have called it the textbook guide to doing live video well. It is a short read and will show and tell business owners and entrepreneurs how to use live video as a major marketing tool. Visibility Is Power: Discover the Power of Being Seen and Heard supports entrepreneurs in their journey to market themselves and their business. I share my visibility journey as well the story of seven others. Both books have exercises at the end of the chapters for greater understanding and implementation.
How was your experience writing your second book, different from the first?
With my second book, Visibility Is Power. I worked with a book writing coach and publisher. For me, it was helpful having people hold me accountable, set benchmarks, and handle much of the heavy lift of the self-publishing experience. It allowed me to focus more on the marketing aspect of the book through my networks.
How can we get in touch with you?
You can follow me across all social media platforms @TheRoshoLive, check out my new YouTube channel – Visibility Is Power TV, or email me at showup@therosholive.com. Also, visit my website TheRoshoLive.com or TheREPNetwork.com for more information on me or my production and communications company.
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