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Once you become a published author, you’ll be asked to appear on a radio, TV and Internet shows to discuss your topic. It’s important that you learn how to give a good interview that will lead to book sales and more interviews.
I’ve given more than 45 television interviews and have been on more than 360 radio shows. I didn’t know much about this at first but, over time, have become pretty comfortable giving interviews. Here’s a segment from my appearance on “Better Mornings Atlanta” on CBS.
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Here are five things I have learned along the way that can help you give and land more interviews:
1. Prepare for the interview.
You need to know what you’re going to discuss. Some producers will ask you to provide questions for your interview so come up with at least five “go-to” questions that you can share and are comfortable answering. Practice delivering your answers as quickly as possible. Some interviews only last three to five minutes.
I’ve also had to do satellite interviews which can be difficult. I am in a room by myself with an earpiece, and a microphone attached to my shirt. I have to stare directly at a camera and I can’t see the person talking to me. I can’t play off the interviewer’s body language. I now have a greater respect when watching these types on interviews on TV because I know how tough they are.
2. The interviewer is not there to sell your book.
Look at your story through a producer’s eyes. A producer will feature a guest to inform or entertain, or both. Hosts will mention your book and give you a chance to plug it but they aren’t concerned with making you a best-seller.
Remember why you were invited, and don’t just plug your book continuously. The show is not about your book. It’s about you helping and entertaining viewers.
3. Make sure you answer the questions the host asks.
We authors often have rehearsed an interview and speak without fully listening to the question, especially during our first interviews when we’re very nervous.
Take a breath and relax. You are the expert and have great information to share. Try to block everything out and just focus on the question the host asks, and you’ll do fine.
4. Show enthusiasm.
We can all think back to that high school teacher who sat in front of the classroom lecturing in a monotone voice. How boring! I bet you didn’t get much from these lessons. The same is true with an interview. You want to show some emotion.
I’ve been on a few shows in which a second guest who wasn’t very personable was being interviewed. You could tell by her voice that she didn’t seem too passionate about the topic. That made for a poor interview. You don’t want to go overboard and shout out all of your answers but a little emotion is good.
5. Before you go on the air, ask the host about mentioning your book.
At the beginning and end of most interviews, the host will mention your book or website, or both. Often, days before the interview, the producer will ask you to send a photo of your book which can be shown on the screen when the host introduces you.
If the host asks a question about a topic that’s in the book, answer the question. Never say, “You’ll have to read the book to find out.” They’ll never invite you back.
These appearances have led to book sales. I have sold almost 8,000 books which I know has been a result of my media exposure.
Giving great TV interviews is a wonderful way to market your books and leave viewers wanting more.
This is a great article and some tips on interviewing. 🙂
I thought so, too, Susan. TV interviews are so difficult, and Danny has made them a lot easier. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your kind words – I greatly appreciate them! I hope some of my tips can help you.
Timely enough for me. Impackt Publishing will have my title ready to roll in Feb 2014. What’s encouraging about this is knowing the author can directly attribute those 8,000 books sold because of his media exposure. WooHoo! Thanks for this great article. Sorry I missed you when you were in Norfolk VA Joan. Next time.
I doubt that Daniel can attribute all the sales to the media exposure. But I know it’s very difficult to sell 8,000 books, and I’m betting most of them were sold because of the free publicity.
Good luck with your book, Patricia. I hope you sell a truckload. (And yes, I had a blast speaking to NSA Virginia.)
Hi Patricia,
Congrats on the book – that is great! I know that my media exposure has helped me sell most of my books and hope that you can use some of my advice when your book is released. I also know that giving presentations has led to some book sales for me too so you may want to look into that too. Good luck!
Great tips!
There’s nothing worse than someone being interviewed who just keeps saying “buy my book” in different ways. Every author should know that we’re being interviewed to serve the listeners/viewers by providing them with useful info. If you do that, they are far more likely to buy your book.
What bothers me, though, is when the host doesn’t even mention your book/site. I had that happen to me recently, and then they did give it a mention, after the interview was over.
You’re right, Doreen. And it’s always a gamble that they’ll even mention your book. That’s why it’s best to clear this ahead of time with the host–still no guarantee, but you’re increasing your chances that the host will plug it. Thanks so much for joining the conversation.
Hi Doreen,
Thank you for your kind words! I completely agree with you when it comes to others just saying buy my book. O have also done interviews where the host doesn’t mention my book but I guess that just comes with the territory sometimes. Thanks again for your kind words!
How do you get on shows like FOX and Friends? I am a children’s book self published author. It is the first in a series of books to teach children about gardening using the fairies.
Rita, I couldn’t find specific how-to’s for FOX & Friends, but I’m fairly certain the process is similar for pitching Good Morning America. I found instructions at the Tin Single website at https://www.tinshingle.com/category/public-relations/how-do-i-pitch-my-story-good-morning-america. Good luck! Let me know if you get on the show.
How do you get on shows like FOX and Friends? I am a children’s book self published author. It is the first in a series of books to teach children about gardening using the fairies.