Tuesday Tips: Media Training & Interview Tips

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Tuesday Tips: Media Training & Interview Tips

This is the fifth and final installment in my latest Tuesday Tips series, this time on media training for authors. You can read the first installment about why media is important, and the second installment describes traditional vs "modern" media. Two week's ago I covered targeting your media. Last week we talked pitch-craft. And today, it's all about the actual interview.

Bring a whole basket full of cute-icity.

So you got the gig. NOW what? Prepare for your interview, of course! The key to a successful interview is preparation, practice, and delivery. Above all, be yourself. People want to hear your story, so enjoy sharing the experience.

PITCH RE-RUN

Decide what you want to say: your name, title of the book and where to buy it—and a 2 to 3-sentence recap of the story itself. You already have your pitch prepared, so use it. The interviewer should already have the basic info and some hosts ask YOU to send them questions (and answers) in advance and that's GOLDEN! Offer to pronounce your name or spell it phonetically in advance if you have a weird name like SHO-JAW-EEE that crosses eyes. But if the host fails to say any important stuff (like your NAME or your BOOK TITLE or your EVENT) jump in and provide that yourself. Take notes if you must to be sure you've got dates, times and locations of events right.

You'll find fans everywhere.

BRING THE BOOK

Think visuals for TV but even radio hosts may want the book in advance to read/review or for a listener give-away. TV may ask you to send a digital image but always prepare for crappiocca to happen. If the image gets lost, you'll have the physical book handy to hold up–and autograph/give to the host. That's a nice perk and just might get you extra air time or an invite back.

WATER COOLER CONTENT

Think in terms of making your story one viewers talk about at the water cooler the next day. Practice speaking in sound bites–that is, colorful or unique ways to describe yourself and your work. You're a writer–it's what you do, after all! I'd get bleeped if I said "pet sh*t" on TV even though that's a big part of my writing life–so instead such things can be described as "litter-ary creativity" or other unique ways to get the aromatic message across.

CUT TO THE CHASE

Be clear, concise, and conversational. Television interviews may only be 2-5 minutes long, so get in all your must-tell info in the first 30 seconds. You never know when breaking news bumps your segment off the air. The opposite may happen, too. If another guest is a no-show you may get twice the on-air time so have something value added to say.

REHEARSE

Practice your delivery. Try recording or videotaping yourself, or practice in front of a mirror—various methods work best for different people. Be aware that very few people like the way the look or sound in these situations–you're normal! Personally, I hate the way I look and sound on TV or recorded, so I just don't watch or listen to myself. And you'll become more comfortable the more you do it. That old trick about imagining your audience naked can backfire, if your host has a giggle-worthy physique or the opposite . . . hey CONCENTRATE. Drooling isn't particularly attractive unless you're a baby or St. Bernard. And even then– oh, never mind.

RADIO-ACTIVE

Radio interviews tend to be longer, 10 or even 30 minutes. Radio interviews conducted over the phone mean you can wear bunny slippers, a housecoat and no makeup–and since they can't see you, having notes handy is fine. Provide sample questions and have answers prepared, but avoid reading from a script, which sounds rehearsed. Let them hear the real you! Mention book no oftener than beginning, end, and once in middle. Be an entertainer, not a hard-core salesman. Check out this example from my Pet Peeves Radio Show, with co-authors Susan Logan and Jeanne Adlon discussing their new book CAT CALLS.

TV APPEARANCE MATTERS

If your interview is on camera or in person, wear something comfortable that makes you feel confident. Bright, solid colors work best. Avoid earth tones that wash you out, or busy prints such as hound's-tooth or polka dots that create odd eye-buster visuals.

Women—wear a light solid blouse with a bright jacket.
Men–pair a light solid shirt with a dark jacket and bright tie.
Note: A jacket, vest, or layered shirt allows the microphone wire to be placed inconspicuously beneath your clothing
Makeup matters—even for men. Television lights wash out your features, so more makeup than usual works best on women (darker lipstick, more blush and eyeliner). A simple combination powder/foundation helps men look healthy rather than ghostlike. Guys, ask a lady friend for help if you're shy–the larger TV stations may have a makeup person to help you. If so, enjoy!
During in person interviews, don't look at the camera–look at the interviewer. For all practical purposes your conversation is with THAT ONE PERSON so relax, be enthusiastic, and the joy of your story will shine through.

ONE FINAL NOTE

Don't forget to BREATHE!

Here's an example of a TV interview from a couple year's ago. Notice the background colors on the set–and so I tried to choose contrasting clothing. This is a long segment for TV, and the host let me rattle on a bit longer that many would. When my "aging cat" book first came out I was interviewed on this morning show–and was subsequently asked to make a regular appearance. That became a twice monthly PET TALK segment and we've continued this program for nearly ten years now. THIS could happen for you, too!

SPECIAL THANKS

This month as a special "thank you" to all my furry-fantastic-followers, I'll give away a paw-tographed copy of Complete Care for Your Aging Cat and Complete Care for Your Aging Dog. To get in the running, simply post a comment in the blog about your special pet (old fogey or not) and I'll draw two names at the end of the month. You can use these award-winning updated books as a resource for yourself or wrap up for a pet-friendly holiday gift to a fur-loving friend. And as an EXTRA-special incentive–and to encourage all of y'all to mentor each other and spread the blogging/twitter/Facebook love–the two winners get to name one purr-son who gives them wags of support and deserves a book, too!

#AskAmy Sweet Tweets

Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. We've become a great community including those in the #MyWANA social network twibe hosted by the awesome @KristenLambTX. So I'm stealing borrowing Kristen's methods and creating my own hashtag. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!

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