Outreach is the best way to grow your organic traffic and build your brand. Podcasts are huge right now so it just makes sense for authors to take advantage of this. Here are the things we’ve realized are really important after seven months of podcasting.
Use Your Laptop or Computer
Having a stable place for your camera is incredibly important for video interviews. Shaky cameras make a lot of people sick and sick people don’t finish interviews or buy your books. Phones are not a good way to do an interview unless it’s stable. Think ahead.
Headphones
It’s simple but this small change makes a huge difference in sound quality. Make sure they’re handy when you’re getting ready for your interview.
A Mic, Even a Cheap One, is Better is Than None
Mics are huge. If you have headphones with a mic in the cord, make sure you don’t wear a scarf or anything else it can rub against and make noise. That’s irritating to listeners and probably your host. Here’s the one I use.
Mute/Silence Everything
Most phones have a setting so certain people can reach you if there’s an emergency. Use that setting. Make sure your computer notifications are turned off. This can be achieved by setting it to Do Not Disturb.
Arrive Early and Be Ready
This is huge, HOWEVER, late is better than not showing up. Podcasts take up a lot of time for the person running them, between interviewing you for an hour and then editing the audio and uploading and looking for keywords to make sure your interview gets the most listens and all that, it adds up.
Check Your Camera And Surroundings Before the Interviewer Gets on The Call
If it’s a video interview check your camera and everything ahead of time. No one will say they’re annoyed while you adjust things but it’s irritating when the interviewer did all that ten minutes before calling you.
Don’t Ask Them to Change Their Setup For You
Some people aren’t comfortable on camera, but asking someone to make an adjustment takes more of their time. Don’t do it. Assume their time is as precious as yours and treat it that way.
Provide Questions if You’re Worried About What They Will Ask
Most interviewers will want a more chatty kind of informal interview so be flexible but feel free to offer them questions. I always ask if there’s anything specific an author would like to cover prior to starting the recording so think about that ahead of time. Especially if you have a new release or recent release. The whole point is to get your book out there, don’t forget that.
Be Prepared to Talk About More Than Just Your Book
Readers want to know who’s behind the pen. I’ve purchased a lot of books because I liked the author. Show them who you are and proud. (not too open. Use your judgment about things that are too personal).
Be Ready to Really Dive into Answers
“Uhmm yeah, I guess…” is not an acceptable answer to an interview question. You’re here to get people into your story not bore them to tears. Full sentences and engaging answers are a must.
About the Author
Marissa Frosch is a Certified Book Launch Coach and author of fiction under the name Cameron J Quinn.
She formed Raven’s Quill Publishing in March 2019 after leaving Amphibian Press where she worked for five years to make a go of it on her own.
Marissa is also working on her Story Grid Editor’s Certification to round out her author helping skill set.
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