Ten minutes into the interview, you realize something's wrong. The host asked three questions, but you've been rambling about background information.
Your book's main message? Still unmentioned.
Your call to action? Forgotten.
Your opportunity to connect with thousands of potential readers? Slipping away.
This scenario happens to authors every day. They book great interviews but lack the skills to make them count. Don't let this be your story.
Here's what every author needs to know about media training to rock their interviews and podcast appearances, and how to make those opportunities pay off in sales and growth.
The Hidden Science Behind Author Success
Most writers believe they're finished when they write “The End.” They're mistaken. Your actual work begins when someone thrusts a microphone in your face and asks, “So, tell us about your book.”
In fact, reports show a conference speaker often sells 30-60% more books when they are the keynote speaker than when they simply have a book table available. But, those statistics are irrelevant if you don’t know how to nail the presentation.
Albert Mehrabian's 1967 research revealed something authors need to understand. When people listen to you speak, they judge you on three levels. Your actual words account for just 7% of their impression. Your tone of voice makes up 38%. Your body language creates 55% of their opinion about you.
This means your expertise becomes worthless if your delivery falls flat. Listeners decide whether to trust you, and buy your book, based mostly on how you sound and look, not what you say.
Moving from science to practice, let's explore how to prepare for your media appearances.
Getting Ready: Your Pre-Interview Foundation
Start by researching each show before you go on. Listen to three recent shows. Notice how the host asks questions. Notice the audience they serve. This research enables you to speak their language.
Write a brief summary of your book's main message. Put it in paragraph form. Summarize three important points you wish listeners to take away. This is your roadmap in case the discussion goes astray.
Then get your story ammunition ready. Get three stories that make your book come alive. More individuals recall stories than they do facts.
Structure your stories this way:
- Set the scene quickly
- Show the problem
- Reveal the solution
- Connect it to your book
Next, prepare yourself for common questions. In fact, most interviews are made up of the same standard questions. Rehearse your responses to these:
- “What made you write this book?”
- “Who needs to read it?”
- “What's the biggest mistake people make?”
- “What's your best advice?”
Once you've prepared your content, it's time to work on your delivery.
Your Voice: The Tool That Sells Books
The first thing to recall is that you need to make your voice do the work for you. Your voice carries your authority. Attempt to speak from your stomach, not your throat. This creates a lower pitch that people trust more.
So, read your book out loud and tape yourself. Do you hear yourself saying “um” and “uh”? Substitute with short pauses. Silence is more professional than nervous sounds.
Remember that your body also talks. Even on audio-only programs, your posture influences your voice. Sit straight. Smile while talking. Gesture with your hands while talking. These cause your voice to sound more confident.
For video interviews, don't look at the screen, look at the camera. Keep your hands visible to people. Purposeful body language can be utilized to make points.
Now that you have the tools to look and feel confident, we can finally address the nervousness that's holding you back.
Beating Interview Jitters
Feeling nervous before the big interview? Change your mindset.
Turn anxiety into excitement. Both emotions create similar body responses, but excitement helps you while anxiety hurts you. Tell yourself “I'm excited” instead of “I'm nervous.”
Remember that hosts want you to succeed. They invited you because your knowledge helps their audience. You're not defending your book, you're sharing valuable help with people who need it.
Finding your ideal writing rhythm can also reduce stress and increase clarity before interviews. When you’re in tune with your creative flow, your confidence grows — and that carries into your conversations.
| A Simple Breathing Trick |
| Try the 4-7-8 breathing method before interviews. Breathe in for 4 countsHold for 7Breathe out for 8. This calms your nervous system and improves your focus. |
With your nerves under control, you're ready to shine during the actual interview.
During the Interview: Your Moment to Shine
Begin strong every time! Your first answer puts everything that follows in perspective. Write a solid lead that immediately grabs attention. This may be an interesting tidbit of information, a query to stimulate them, or a brief anecdote.
Also, be sure to guide the conversation. Use simple phrases to steer conversations toward your main points:
- “That's a great question, and it reminds me of…”
- “What's interesting about that is…”
- “That connects to something I discuss in my book…”
When faced with difficult questions, acknowledge them before redirecting.
- “That's an important concern, and here's how I address it…”
This shows respect while keeping control.
If you don't know an answer, be honest.
- “I haven't researched that specific area, but what I can tell you is…”
People appreciate honesty over fake expertise.
Now, different types of media require different approaches. Let us look at podcast-specific techniques.
Podcast Success: The Intimate Connection
Here are some tips for making the most of your podcast appearances.
- Speak Like a Friend
- Podcasts create close connections between hosts and listeners. Speak conversationally, as if talking to a friend. This casual tone builds trust and makes your message more relatable.
- Use the Time You Have
- Unlike TV interviews, podcasts allow for deeper exploration. Use this advantage to share detailed examples, explain complex ideas, and tell longer stories that showcase your expertise.
- Give Real Value
- Podcast audiences want practical advice they can use right away. Offer specific tips, tools, or strategies. This positions you as a helpful expert with industry expertise and thought leadership rather than just another author selling a book.
Your interview success doesn't end when the recording stops. Follow-up actions matter too.
After the Interview: Maximizing Your Impact
Once the interview is out, do not forget to promote it! Post the interview on your social media once you have published it. Make small video snippets or quote graphics to make the content last longer. Give a shout-out to the host and thank them publicly as well. Even when traveling, you can stay productive on the go and keep your visibility consistent. Tools like scheduling apps or content repurposing strategies can help you stay engaged without missing a beat.
And speaking of the host, did you know that these interviews can result in REAL relationships? Send a thank-you note to the host within 24 hours. Mention specific moments from the interview that you enjoyed. This personal touch often leads to future opportunities or referrals.
Finally, remember to track your results.Monitor book sales, website traffic, and social media engagement following each interview. This data helps you identify which types of shows generate the best results for your goals.
Even great authors make mistakes. Let's look at the most common ones to avoid.
Mistakes That Kill Your Success
Even experienced authors make simple mistakes that hurt their media appearances. Small changes in approach can mean the difference between a forgettable interview and one that drives real book sales. Use this quick reference guide to avoid common pitfalls and maximize every speaking opportunity.
| Do | Don't |
| Focus on providing value first - Share insights, solve problems, and help your audience. When you're genuinely helpful, listeners naturally want to know more about your book. | Constantly mention your book - Audiences tune out when authors turn every answer into a sales pitch. Your book should come up naturally through valuable content. |
| Speak slower than feels natural - Give listeners time to absorb your message. Deliberate pacing makes you sound more authoritative and helps your points land with impact. | Rush through your words - Nervousness often causes rapid speech that makes you harder to follow and less credible. Slow down to sound confident. |
| Ask hosts about their format and typical questions - Some interviews are highly structured while others flow organically. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare appropriately. | Show up unprepared for the format - Going in blind means missing opportunities to tailor your message for maximum impact with that specific audience. |
| Use the host's name during the conversation - This creates connection and shows you're engaged with them personally, not just delivering a rehearsed pitch. | Treat every interview the same - Generic responses make you forgettable. Tailor your approach to each host and audience. |
| End with a clear, simple call to action - Tell listeners exactly how to find your book or connect with you. Make it easy for interested people to take the next step. | Assume people will figure out how to find you - If you don't guide them, most listeners won't take action even if they're interested. |
Remember, every interview is a chance to serve your audience while growing your author platform. Master these basics, and you'll see the difference in your results. One great media appearance can generate more book sales than months of other marketing efforts.
Building a strong media presence and establishing business authority takes time and strategy, especially for self publishing authors. Here's how to do it right.
After the Interview: Maximizing Your Impact
You can make the most of your interview exposure by starting small and aiming big. Start off with smaller podcasts and local radio stations before approaching the larger shows. This provides you with experience and publicity. With every successful interview, the next one becomes easy to organize.
Speaking of the next interview, you can make the process that much easier by developing a professional media kit. This includes:
- High-quality photos
- One-page bio
- List of interview topics
- Sample questions
- Links to previous interviews
Be sure to stay consistant! Regular media appearances and speaking engagements build your reputation, establish industry expertise, and strengthen your author platform building efforts. Aim for at least one interview per month. Consistency keeps you in the public eye and improves your skills over time.
Conclusion
Your book needs to be heard. Media training revolutionizes the way readers perceive you and positions you as a thought leader in your field. When you articulate confidently and authoritatively, people believe in your expertise. This belief turns casual listeners into book buyers, speaking clients, and loyal fans.
The difference between authors who struggle with media and those who excel comes down to preparation and practice. Master these skills, and watch your book sales soar while your influence grows.
Ready to turn your book into a bestseller? Authors On Mission provides comprehensive book marketing services and helps authors like you master every aspect of book success, from professional book editing to media trainingSchedule a consultation today and discover how we can help you share your message with the world.
