- 2020 changed the way we do media interviews.
The good news is, there are going to be
a lot less 5 AM calls to be in the green room
and a lot more opportunities to be business on the top
and Spanx or sweats on the bottom
while promoting your book from your home.
But if you're not prepared to make the most
of your three minutes of fame.
it's not gonna help you or your book sales.
So if you're planning to do TV media interviews
to promote your book, then this video is for you.
(upbeat music)
Hey there, I'm Julie the book broad from Book Launchers
where your professional self publishing services team
helping you write, publish, and promote a non-fiction book
that will help you have a huge impact on your readers
and done right, will help you grow your brand,
build your business and make you money.
The best part, you, yes you,
keep all rights and royalties.
So how do you look great, sound great and present your book
in the best way possible to make the most
of a short, fast TV appearance?
Tip number one,
look at your computer camera when you do the interview,
avoid looking up or away.
(giggling)
You can look down at notes if you have them,
that's totally fine, but don't look at the screen
to watch yourself or look at the interviewer.
Try to avoid looking anywhere but the camera
for the most part.
You wanna build and maintain trust
in the fastest and most effective way possible
and that comes with making eye contact
with that camera lens.
Train yourself to look at the camera.
Most interviews are short,
so it will be over before you know it.
But even if it's a longer interview,
focus on that camera.
Tip two, use your laptop, not your smartphone.
Almost as a follow-up point to the one above,
but if you use your smartphone,
the screen will be the wrong size for the TV viewer.
It's better to use a laptop camera.
Most newer laptops have great cameras.
My only caveat is if you have one of those cameras
that has the lens below the screen, don't use that.
The angle on that camera is terrible.
I don't know what was going through
the computer engineer's head
when they put the camera below the screen.
I'm seeing nose hairs I will never unsee.
And you do not want that going on television
or anywhere in recorded history.
Also just a bonus tip, clean the camera lens
before your interview,
you'd be surprised at what kind of dust has accumulated
on your computer camera lens.
Tip three, building on this,
raise up your laptop.
When you're using your laptop, elevate it up
so the camera is at eye level with your face.
I have a laptop stand, which is ergonomically better anyway
but if you don't, then stack your laptop on some books
so it's up higher.
Tip four, prepare some sound bites.
And this is so important, I'm going to do another video
just on this subject.
So make sure you've subscribed to the channel
if you wanna catch that.
A sound bite is the verbal equivalent of a newspaper quote.
It's short, like 15 seconds max,
and it's really a kick-butt tip or a kick butt.
- [Cameraman] Kick butt.
- It's really a kick-butt tip, a quote you like to say
or some other snippet
that summarizes your main points.
Here's a couple of examples.
Your book may be about you, but it's not for you.
You have to write it for the reader.
Or
there are two really hard parts of becoming an author,
writing the darn book and then selling it.
The good news is that if you do a good job of writing it
with marketing in mind,
you have a better chance of succeeding
with the selling part.
Start making a list of five to 15-second answers
you can give that pack a punch.
Tip five, lighting.
Make sure you have lighting in front of you.
When you see me doing my Tuesday live streams,
I'm facing a window.
And that's actually problematic at times.
My normal non-COVID times office
is way back from an outside window.
So it doesn't get impacted
by the outdoor lighting fluctuations.
Most importantly, invest in some lighting.
Those ring lights are really affordable
and they work really great.
Tip six, backgrounds.
Fancy Zoom backgrounds aren't a great idea
for your TV media interview.
They can be really distracting
and they also can cause internet delays.
Just have a clean background if you can.
Sit in front of a shelf displaying your book
is a great option.
Have something else in the background is okay
but you want to keep the focus on you.
Definitely don't have open closets
or beds in the background if you can avoid it.
Tip seven, sound.
At a minimum, use a headset.
Those Apple headsets actually are pretty good.
So that's a good starting point.
Whatever you do, do not use the audio on your computer.
Even the AirPods are fine,
just make sure there's no background noise
and the echo is minimized
so you have the best possible sound.
Tip eight, wear solid colors if you can.
You don't have to get fully suited up,
but focus on that professional look that fits your brand.
Ultimately, it is nice to have color
and not a bunch of patterns when you're on camera.
Patterns often do weird things.
So just keep it simple and solid, for the most part.
Tip nine, have water on hand
in case you get dry mouth, but take a drink
when the interviewer is asking you a question
not while they wait for your answer.
I usually take a big swig before we go live.
And again, it's over in three or four minutes.
Tip 10, when you're asked where people can connect with you
give them one place.
Ideally your author website.
Keep it simple, make it possible for them to remember
where to go.
A lot of people list all the social media.
Just one website, you can do it.
All right, tip 11,
I don't have enough fingers.
(chuckling)
Test and practice at least once
before your live appearance.
Have a friend interview you and point out things
that were distracting or could be improved.
Make sure it's not your first time answering questions
in a short, punchy response.
And definitely make sure it's not the first time
you've done something live on Zoom.
So what are your best TV media interview tips?
Let's chat about it in the comments below
and right before you do,
please smash that thumbs up button,
go on, try it.
It feels so good.
And when you comment the day a video is released,
you'll be entered to win some sweet
hashtag no boring books swag like ta-da,
this hashtag no boring books mug
and this oh, so soft journal.
We have new videos every Tuesday and Friday.
Make sure you catch every one by subscribing to the channel
and turning those notifications on.
Well, you're a lot of fun.
Do you wanna keep hanging out?
Okay, this video right here
is the latest and greatest from the channel.
This one right here,
is all about the biggest surprises you'll enjoy
when you write a book.
Both are pretty much guaranteed to be useful to you
and maybe even a little fun.
So click on over, I'll put the coffee on
and I'll see you there.
(upbeat music)