You have a book idea. Maybe you've had it for years. But here's what nobody tells you — the idea is not enough. Before a literary agent finishes reading your pitch, they're already Googling you. And if what they find doesn't back you up, that email gets closed.

In this episode of Unknown to Known, Jamie Maglietta sits down with Sally Ekus — literary agent, founder of The Ekus Group, and author of the Substack newsletter The Not So Secret Agent — to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to land a traditional book deal. Sally has placed authors with Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and more, and she is one of the most transparent voices in publishing today.

In this conversation they cover the full road to becoming a published author — from comp research at your local bookstore to building a platform before you ever send a pitch. Sally also breaks down the difference between traditional, hybrid and self-publishing, explains what the 1-3% audience conversion rule means for your follower count, shares the behind-the-scenes story of how The Lao Kitchen came to be, and delivers a serious warning about using AI in your query letter — because she can spot it immediately and it's an automatic pass.

This one is for every person who has ever said "I should write a book." Today we figure out what's standing between you and that deal.

🔗 Sally's Substack — Not So Secret Agent: https://substack.com/@sallyekusThe Ekus Group: https://ekusgroup.com⚠️ Writers Beware (author scam resource): https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/

Connect on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sallyekus/

Proposal Guide: https://notsosecretagent.substack.com/p/cookbook-proposal-guidelines?r=6lue7

Mentioned: Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) - https://www.ibpa-online.org/

Connect with Jamie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/

Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/

Website & Visibility Program:
Visibility Program: https://www.oncamready.com/

Resources + Links:
(ON CAM) Ready Equipment: https://shorturl.at/Ca5tg

Substack:
Newsletter: https://oncamready.substack.com

Riverside (Affiliate):
Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrE

Discount Code: OCR15

VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamready

Your personal brand isn't just for people anymore — it's for the algorithm. In this episode of Unknown to Known, Jamie Maglietta sits down with Krissy and Claire of K&C Creative, a sister duo specializing in branding, web design, and business strategy. Together they break down why so many entrepreneurs are having a brand identity crisis online, how AI is now reading and judging your digital presence, and the three-part framework — Clarity, Cohesion, and Confidence — that transforms how you show up and get booked. Whether you're launching a website for the first time, rebuilding your brand, or trying to attract press and clients through social media, this conversation is your roadmap. Plus, they share their new AI-powered Brand Brain tool and how to use it to fast-track your brand identity before you ever touch a logo or color palette.

🌐 Visit K&C Creative: https://www.kandccreative.com/

🎙️ Subscribe to Unknown to Known on your podcast platform of choice📩 Did a social media post land you traditional media? Tell Jamie: hello@oncamready.com

Connect with Jamie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/

Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/

Website & Visibility Program:Visibility Program: https://www.oncamready.com/

Resources + Links:

Substack: Newsletter: https://oncamready.substack.com

Riverside (Affiliate):Record your content with Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrE

Discount Code: OCR15

VidIQ (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamready

YouTube Channels:

Main Channel (ON CAM Ready Media): https://www.youtube.com/@oncamready
Podcast Links:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-to-known-presented-by-on-cam-ready/id1707162005

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5yEIQWeK7aLHtPSBBbSPcz?si=61b241d434f84578Think Like a Producer: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5w84zVVaquAcIDaes41NoMHDjtllgkCW

What does it actually take to grow on YouTube and turn it into a full-time creator business? Steven Robles did it — and in this episode of Unknown to Known, he breaks down exactly how. With over 200,000 subscribers and a thriving paid community, Steven shares his thumbnail strategy, how he balances evergreen vs. trending content, why he separates his short form from long form, and what he wished he knew about monetization earlier. Host Jamie Maglietta also gets her own channel workshopped live — so if you've ever wondered whether to split your content across two channels, this one's for you. Whether you're just starting out or trying to level up, Steven's journey is proof that consistency, experimentation, and commitment are the real formula for YouTube success.Chapters0:00 Introduction — Meet Steven Robles1:13 Steven's Creator Journey & Going Independent3:02 How Steven Grew to 200K YouTube Subscribers4:23 Thumbnail Strategy: What Actually Works5:47 A/B Testing Thumbnails & Titles6:17 Tools for YouTube Growth: VidIQ, TubeBuddy & YouTube Studio7:13 Evergreen vs. Trending Content: How to Balance Both 9:38 How Often Should You Post on YouTube?12:19 Should You Have Two Separate YouTube Channels? 13:41 How the YouTube Algorithm Responds to Consistency of Format15:36 Workshopping Jamie's Channel Live23:07 Shorts: Separate Channel or Same Channel?24:31 Steven's Instagram Growth Strategy (3K to 30K Fast) 26:56 YouTube on TV: How to Create for the Living Room 29:35 Educate, Inspire, or Entertain — What's Your Value? 30:39 Growing in a Saturated Niche Like Tech34:11 The Reality of YouTube Monetization36:53 Affiliate Revenue, Memberships & Multiple Income Streams42:50 Discovery vs. Relationship Platforms — A Key Creator Strategy43:44 Overcoming Self-Doubt & Committing to the Journey 48:31 Steven's Shortcuts Community on Circle50:55 Launching a Paid Course — What Worked & What Didn't 53:49 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up🔗 CONNECT WITH JAMIE📱 Social Media Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/ Instagram (Show Clips): https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/ Substack Newsletter: https://oncamready.substack.com🌐 Website & Programs Website + Visibility Program: https://www.oncamready.com/🎙️ Record & Grow Your Content 🎬 Record with Riverside (Affiliate): https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrE 💰 Use code OCR15 for a discount📈 VidIQ — Grow on YouTube (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamready🛠️ Gear & Resources (ON CAM) Ready Equipment List: https://shorturl.at/jzqv3

TikTok creator Grayson Smith went from posting lifestyle content in Austin, Texas to being featured on NBC News and interviewed live on Good Morning America — and she did it by just being herself. In this episode of Unknown to Known, host Jamie Maglietta sits down with Grayson to unpack how she grew to over 90,000 followers in just two years, why she rejects the "niche down" pressure, and the one mindset shift that changed how she approaches posting. Whether you're just starting out or trying to break through, Grayson's story is proof that authenticity + consistency is still the formula. Don't miss her tips on brand deals, posting frequency, and how jumping on trends — the right way — can land you in the press.CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction — Meet Grayson Smith1:45 Grayson's Background in Broadcast Journalism2:16 The NBC Moment: How a TikTok Video Ended Up on the News7:01 Good Morning America Called — Here's What Happened7:39 Does Traditional Media Still Matter in the Social Media Age?8:01 How Grayson Picks Her Content Ideas9:21 Do You Really Need to Pick a Niche?12:34 Balancing a 9-to-5 and a Personal Creator Brand15:07 How Brand Deals Work (And How to Stay Authentic)16:53 T op Tips for Starting Your TikTok Journey17:26How Often Should You Post on TikTok?19:38 Post With Intention — Not Just to Post20:44 How Trending Topics Can Get You Noticed by the Press21:58 Final Advice: Don't Be Afraid to Put Yourself Out There22:29 Outro + Next Episode Recommendation🔗 CONNECT WITH JAMIE📱 Social Media Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/ Instagram (Show Clips): https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/ Substack Newsletter: https://oncamready.substack.com🌐 Website & Programs Website + Visibility Program: https://www.oncamready.com/🎙️ Record & Grow Your Content 🎬 Record with Riverside (Affiliate): https://riverside.sjv.io/09VWrE 💰 Use code OCR15 for a discount📈 VidIQ — Grow on YouTube (Affiliate): https://vidiq.com/oncamready🛠️ Gear & Resources (ON CAM) Ready Equipment List: https://shorturl.at/jzqv3

From a one-man band in Savannah, Georgia to anchoring national television during one of the biggest trials in recent memory — Cody Thomas's path to Court TV correspondent is one of the most honest, unfiltered conversations about on-camera confidence I've had on this show.In this episode of Unknown to Known, I sit down with Court TV field reporter and correspondent Cody Thomas to talk about what it really takes to show up on camera when the stakes are high — and how to rebuild when the dream gets interrupted.In this conversation, you'll learn:* Why preparation is the only real cure for camera nerves* What happened when Cody was thrown into solo national anchoring without warning during the Diddy trial* How a layoff from CNN/HLN became the pivot that led to his biggest opportunities* Why visualizing yourself on camera is a strategy, not just a mindset trick* How traditional journalists can navigate the shift to new media and social platforms* What Cody looks for when he's deciding how much of himself to share online* Why the "non-traditional" career path might be more common than anyone admitsWhether you're trying to break into broadcast, build confidence on camera, or just figure out how to show up online without falling apart — Cody's story is proof that consistency and preparation beat the perfect plan every time.Guest: Cody Thomas📺 Court TV Field Reporter & Correspondent📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codythomas_Connect with Jamie: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/ 🎬 Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/ 🌐 Visibility Program: https://www.oncamready.com/ 📰 Substack: https://oncamready.substack.com🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5yEIQWeK7aLHtPSBBbSPcz

From war zones in Afghanistan and Libya to podcast studios in Los Angeles — Conor Powell has reported from some of the most dangerous places on earth and built an entirely new career on the other side of it. And in this conversation, he shares what both worlds taught him about showing up on camera with authority.

In this episode of Unknown to Known, Jamie Maglietta sits down with her former Fox News colleague, veteran TV journalist, podcast developer and film director Conor Powell to talk about finding your voice on camera, navigating the shift from traditional media to new media, and why staying in your lane might be the most important thing you can do for your credibility.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why your on-camera identity takes time — and how to find it
• What Conor's disastrous first live shot taught him about preparation
• How deep subject knowledge is the real cure for camera nerves
• Why podcasting rewards vulnerability in ways traditional TV never could
• How journalists are becoming influencers — and what that means for trust
• Why staying in your lane on social media builds more credibility than being a catch-all expert
• What to think through before you ever hit record
• How to make listeners feel your facial expressions — even on audio-only podcasts

Whether you're a journalist navigating the shift to new media, a professional trying to build a podcast, or someone figuring out how to show up online for the first time — this conversation is full of hard-won insight from someone who's done it across every medium.

🎙️ Guest: Conor Powell🎬 Founder, District Bear Media | Podcast Developer & Film Director | Former Fox News Middle East Correspondent🌐 Website: https://districtbearmedia.com📧 Contact: media@districtbearmedia.com

Connect with Jamie:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_maglietta/🎬 Show Clips: https://www.instagram.com/get_oncamready/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-maglietta/🌐 Visibility Program: https://www.oncamready.com/📰 Substack: https://oncamready.substack.com

🎧 Apple Podcasts: [INSERT LINK]🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5yEIQWeK7aLHtPSBBbSPcz