I remember a client who once walked out of her first TV interview feeling utterly defeated. The lights were hotter than expected, the host’s questions veered off course, and her answers—well, they didn’t quite land the way she rehearsed them.
By the time she called me afterward, she was ready to swear off media forever.
Sound familiar?
You’d be surprised how many authors do this. They have one experience that feels less-than-stellar and decide, “Nope, this isn’t for me.” But here’s the truth I’ve learned after years in the media world: no one nails it every time. Not even the pros.
The fear of “failing” in media—saying the wrong thing, going blank, getting caught off guard—keeps a lot of smart, talented authors from stepping into the spotlight and sharing their important message with the world. That very spotlight could be the thing that propels your book, your message, and your brand to the next level
Here’s a little secret: the media isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for someone real, engaging, and willing to show up.
Here’s another little secret: Doing interviews–whether mock interviews or the real thing–is how we learn. We knew this as kids, but as adults, we need reminding.
I’ve worked with countless authors who believe they need the perfect soundbite or flawless delivery before they can pitch a show or accept an interview. What I help them discover is that it’s not about being perfect—it’s about having the confidence and tools to handle whatever comes their way. This is key. Read it again:
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about having the confidence and tools to handle whatever comes your way.
The authors who stand out—the ones who become media darlings—are the ones who show up, even before they feel fully “ready.”
Yes, you might stumble. You might wish you’d answered something differently. But you’ll also gain confidence, build trust, and create real momentum by being visible and human.
In fact, it may be difficult to believe this right now, but there very well may come a day when you look forward to the surprises and even the mistakes so you can see how quickly and easily you recover. People love seeing this kind of confidence in you, and you will love seeing it in yourself. I guarantee this.
So if you’ve been holding back, waiting for some magical moment when you feel “ready,” consider this your nudge. You don’t have to do this alone.
You know that I rarely pitch anything in Savvy Sunday News, but occasionally I have something that I want to share. In fact, this is exactly why I developed a straightforward media training solution to help authors like you feel ready and confident—because I’ve seen firsthand how just a little preparation can completely change the way you show up, both for yourself and for your audience. We’ll work together to calm those nerves, shape your message, and give you the confidence to handle interviews with ease—even when things don’t go perfectly (because they never do, and that’s okay). It begins with a free webinar next week, and you can sign up for it right here.
You have something valuable to share, so much so that you wrote or are writing a book about it. Let’s make sure the world hears about it.
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. If you want to skip right to the training, you can sign up here. The Media Training Course is for you with me, along with a few other authors. You’ve done the hard part—writing the book. Now, let’s help you confidently share it with the world.
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