Who doesn’t love a surprise?
Well, okay, maybe not every surprise. Some are best left out of the equation entirely — like finding out your mic is off halfway through an interview, or that unexpected tech glitch at the worst possible moment. But when it comes to book publicity and doing interviews, surprises are part of the deal. Being adaptable and rolling with the unexpected is a superpower you’ll want to cultivate.
Take last week, for example. I was gearing up to present a webinar for the Nonfiction Authors Association — an amazing group of authors, writers, and professionals in the literary world. The topic? DIY book publicity versus hiring a pro. Everything was set for a 10:00 a.m. start, with a bit of time to greet people and get settled.
Then, at 9:45, I got a text from the organizer: “Call me.”
And just like that, I knew something was up.
Life happens, right? It does, and sometimes it’s beyond our control. When I called, she explained there was a family emergency and asked if I could handle the presentation solo.
Cue the scramble! Suddenly, I had to log in through another account, grab all the links, get people into the virtual room, handle the introduction myself — basically, I was a one-woman show. No co-host, no backup. It was a complete shift in gears, but somehow, we made it work.
And honestly, in the grand scheme of things, my scramble was nothing compared to the family emergency she was facing. We figured it out. We always do, don’t we?
But that’s not to say there weren’t some hiccups. At one point, I couldn’t see anyone in the virtual room and it took me a moment to realize I wasn’t alone. For a split second, I panicked — what had I muttered under my breath earlier? (Nothing too bad, I hope!)
In the end, everything went smoothly. Normally the replays are sent to the inboxes of registrants, but they uploaded the conversation so that it can be shared here also. Here’s the link to the presentation if you’d like to see how it turned out. You’ll notice I looked fairly composed, but behind the scenes, the heart was beating a little fast and I didn’t have that last chance to make sure the hair was behaving and that my blouse was sitting right. Ah well, real life, right? Also, Caitlin from NFAA was able to join me off camera, and could filter through the questions and ask them during the latter part of the conversation, so that was helpful. I couldn’t see her either.
The key takeaway here? Surprises will happen. The trick is to stay composed, go with the flow, and never let them throw you off your game. In interviews or presentations, the worst thing you can do is unravel. Stay steady, and people will remember your calm demeanor, not the chaos happening behind the scenes.
Here are a few common surprises you might encounter, along with tips to handle them like a pro:
Surprise: The host turns out to be a bit…difficult.
Response: Time for some verbal Aikido. Don’t engage with negativity; instead, find an elegant way to redirect the conversation. If they are insistent and dig in their heels, you may need to bypass the host and speak directly to the audience.
Surprise: Out of nowhere, nerves hit you.
Response: Shift your focus. Instead of thinking about yourself and how nervous you are, concentrate on the person or people you’re there to serve. This can ground you and take the edge off.
Surprise: Tech problems (sound familiar?).
Response: Do a tech check beforehand — ensure your internet connection is solid, and all updates are done. Then breathe and stay flexible if things go awry.
Surprise: Your partner just dropped some emotional news on you.
Response: This is where you channel your inner actor. Compartmentalize. Deal with the personal stuff after the interview, when you can give it the attention it deserves.
Countless surprises can catch you off guard during interviews, but here’s the golden rule: “The show must go on.” Find your center, stay composed, and everyone watching will appreciate your grace under pressure.
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. The Show Must Go On!
P.P.S. The Publicity Master Course begins this Tuesday so join me for the top secrets of successful book publicists.
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