Galerie » The keys to being a great interviewee

When we initially started our businesses Stephen Vogt Jersey , we had to decide how we were going to market ourselves. Kind of an obvious statement - every business has to do that. But, we had an added challenge. We were new to the area. So, our goal was to get to know as many people as possible.


We did that by becoming "promiscuous networkers". We attended and joined any and every association we could afford. This was GREAT for meeting people. After a few months, we could walk into a room and just about everyone would recognize us. They knew us as the Johnsons, that young couple in business.


But, it wasn't so great for actually getting business. They remembered us Joe Panik Jersey , but often didn't have a *clue* about the services we offered. You see, we had missed a key part to networking, and all forms of marketing for that matter. We hadn't defined our market and therefore weren't attending events where our market was likely to be. Had we done that, people would have remembered us AND our services.


If you're a Micro-Business owner, you are the face of your business. People also may recognize you as soon as you walk into a room. After that, they should make an automatic connection to your services or products. Now Evan Longoria Jersey , people seem to know us as "press release girl" and "database guy". Even though we offer other services, these are very good connections in our eyes.


What is the automatic connection that comes to mind when people see you? Is this the connection that you want? If not, what can you change to make sure that others know you for your services or products?

Being a great writer is no longer enough if you plan to score a big publishing deal, especially as a nonfiction author.

Particularly if your book idea falls into the how-to or self-help categories, you not only have to sell your terrific writing, but you also have to sell yourself as the books conduit to the world.

Publishers want to minimize their risks Brandon Belt Jersey , so they dont haphazardly award big book contracts to unknown writersunless, that is, the writer is the total package. What constitutes this package?

PLATFORM

Increasingly, publishers look for authors who have platforms. A platform is your megaphone to shout your books message to a mass audience. Famous people have automatic platforms; if Julia Roberts were to decide to write a book tomorrow, you can bet that shell have publishers clamoring. Why? Because they know that the media will go wild to tell the public about it, and shell have the ability to get as much air time as she wants all over TV and print.

But lets assume youre not quite so famous. Thats okay. You can build a platform in a number of waysa good start is by writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Work toward becoming a columnist (even at a freebie community paper) Kevin Pillar Jersey , then work on syndicating your column.

Although some writers will thumb their noses at this suggestion, if your main objective is platform-building, I advise that you get your column out there to as many publications as will have it, whether they pay well or not at all. You may also choose to put your free articles on websites such as and .

Other ways to build platforms:



Host a radio show

Get a program on public access TV

Become a regular guest on a radioTV show

Become a public speaker

Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

Become involved with well-known charities, nonprofit organizations, or professional organizations Barry Bonds Jersey , preferably as an officer or spokesperson

Teach teleclasses or webinars

Write a free e-book



MEDIA EXPERTISE

It's not unusual for publishers to ask for proof of your media capabilities before buying your book. One publisher asked me for a 5-minute videotape that showed clips from my appearances on Lifetime TV and news programs. I also included a copy of a radio show where Id recently been a guest, and a headshotpublishers dont need beauty (unless youre writing a beauty book!), but they do like to see that your appearance wont make people scream with abject horror if you do public talks.

To become more media-savvy, you can practice your speaking skills at a local Toastmasters club ( ), an international association meant to help people overcome public speaking fears and speak more effectively.

You can also practice by having a friend ask you questions on cassette or videotape, then paying attention to any bad habit's you have (yknow Willie Mays Jersey , umm, fiddling with your hands, running your hands through your hair, babbling). Work on your sizzling sound byte (the few sentences you want to get across to entice someone to hear moreor, if thats all the time youll have, to entice them to run out and get your book to read more!).

The keys to being a great interviewee? Be passionate. Be enthusiastic. Speak clearly and in short sentences. Let your body language andor voice reflect a well-collected Wholesale San Francisco Giants Jerseys , happy, engaging attitude. Dont refer people to your book or website every three secondsbe there to genuinely teach the audience something, and know that if you enthrall them, you wont have to do a hard-sell to get them to follow you. Dress well for TV interviews (avoid white and beige if you have a light complexion; head for blues, purples, and pink; avoid flashy prints; avoid jangly Cheap San Francisco Giants Jerseys , reflective jewelry and other distracting clothing and accessoriesyou want the attention on your words, not your wardrobe). Know how to lead an interviewer to ask the right questions if he or she goes off topic, and to turn negatives into positives.

If youre interested in media training resources or coaching, try these: