5 Mistakes Authors Make During Media Interviews

If you think a media interview – radio, TV, or print – is about your book, it’s not. It’s about the topics in your book, especially if you can relate it to a current news story. OR it may be about why you wrote your book, or how your message can help readers. You should always know why your book is important to the media’s audience. If you have a fiction book, you may have to dig a little deeper to find the connection – but there is one! We’ve found in 25+ years of booking live radio and TV interviews, there are a few common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Forgetting your three main talking points. Practice, practice, practice. And be prepared to redirect if the host steers you off topic.

2. Wearing the wrong outfit – a plaid shirt and wild tie or large earrings, a necklace that hits the mic, etc.. Keep it basic and make sure your attire reflects the image (your brand) you want to project about you, your business and your book. Mark Cuban wears a suit on Shark Tank (his brand is ‘business exec’ on that show) and in a personal interview on CBS Sunday Morning, he wore a t-shirt and slacks – his personal ‘down-to-earth’-guy brand.

3. Answering in long paragraphs. You need to get to the point! Answer in bullet points and about 3-4 sentences at most. Give the host a chance to ask questions. Practice this in a mock interview – it’s crucial to giving a good interview.

4. Assuming the host will mention your book and website. Don’t count on it! Be sure and hand the host a signed copy of your book before the interview – they will usually put it in the TV shot. Practice finessing your book title into the conversation subtly, give them a hand out and graphics to put on screen, and always thank the host at the end as you quickly mention where your book is available. (All major retailers and on your website!)

5. Thinking the interview is just about your book – remember, you are there to inform, inspire, and above all ENTERTAIN! Have fun!

If you’d like to learn more about how to give a great media interview, join me and Peg Booth on March 25, 2023, for our much-requested MEDIA TRAINING FOR AUTHORS webinar! Sign up TODAY and get the early bird pricing!

Media Training for Authors: Insider Secrets to Successful Interviews

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Advanced Registration is only $77 (by Feb. 24, 2023)