So you want to get tickets to the Oprah show? Who doesn't! If you're serious about making this happen, you'll need patience, resolve, and determination. Here's how I got tickets, and let me tell you, it was worth the effort.

My first piece of advice is, get your Oprah tickets before you make any travel arrangements. Flexibility is key. Read on and you'll find out why.

Oprah has changed her audience ticketing procedure to an online ticket request lottery system. My old-school method (described below) will really make you appreciate her new, much more efficient procedure.

The Old Way Each day, I went to Oprah.com to find out when the ticket line would be open. I made a practice of doing this every morning, without fail. I can remember being wheeled into emergency gall bladder surgery uttering the words, "Don't forget to go to Oprah.com to see if the ticket line is open." Yes, that is how seriously I took this quest.

Finally, the dates were posted and I awaited the opening of the ticket line. The moment I was able to call in, I was on it! But as the hours passed, each filled with relentless busy signals, the only thing I had accomplished was downing an entire pan of brownies! My high hopes were plummeting. So, being a woman of action, I got creative. First I tried calling Harpo Studios and asking for Ms. Winfrey herself! Bold? Yes! Effective? Not so much. So then I dialed and asked for Gayle (she always seems so approachable). Strike two! As I sat there pondering, I remembered Oprah mentioning a Salon on her show where she had given makeovers to viewers. I called the salon and asked to talk to someone who had connections to the Oprah show. While on the phone, I made makeover appointments for my sister and me. I figured I'd scratch their backs, and they'd scratch mine. And if I was going to see Oprah, I would need a whole new look! Although the salon tried their best, they weren't able to come up with tickets. Strike three!

By this point, you'd think I was out of the game, but no. I had a few more tricks up my sleeve. I tried writing in to Oprah.com to be a guest on the show. I also tried asking the concierge at the hotel I had booked for our stay. He could only try for last minute tickets. So, there I was, back at square one.

The next morning, I hadn't given up, but I was close. My husband went to work that morning and told his secretary all about my failed attempts to get Oprah tickets. His secretary said, "I can't let her give up! Give me that ticket line phone number." She called the line once and got a busy signal. She redialed...someone answered! She gave the person my name and asked for tickets to a show taping during my scheduled trip to Chicago. We were able to attend the show on our last day in Chicago!

We made it to the Oprah show! She was smaller and more beautiful in person. On commercial breaks, Oprah chatted with the audience like we were old friends. She really was gracious and down-to-earth. That day, she re-launched her book club, so each of us received a copy of East of Eden, by John Steinbeck. We also got an Oprah tote, and an Oprah hat. It was great! The rest of the show featured Stacey London from What Not to Wear giving style tips and doing makeovers. It was the thrill of a lifetime. I highly recommend the experience to anyone who can get to Chicago. And while you're there, try the deep dish pizza. It's like no other!

The New Way 1. Go to Oprah.com and register to join her community. 2. Check Oprah.com frequently watching for the dates that ticket requests will be accepted. 3. Log into Oprah.com and go to online reservations to submit your ticket request. 4. Wait 24 hours after the ticket request window has ended. 5. You'll receive an e-mail notifying you of your request status. 6. If you were lucky enough to be randomly selected, follow the instructions in your e-mail to confirm within 48 hours. If your request was denied, keep trying each month until you do get selected.

Sending one written request in sounds so much better than spending an entire day redialing and listening to busy signals. Don't you think? If you really want to make it to the Oprah show, just request tickets every month, and eventually, you'll get the tickets. My best advice is DON'T GIVE UP!

Was this hub helpful to you? If you have an Oprah Show experience, please share in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you.

Read all about my experience at the Oprah Show  here  http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Big-O