As someone who has spent years as a seasoned book publicist and media trainer, I’ve had the privilege of working in various areas of the media landscape. From book publicity to publishing to podcasting, these experiences have provided a 360-degree view of how to navigate this ever-evolving world. For those who might not know, I’ve also been behind the scenes producing a major podcast for nearly seven years, now reaching a whopping 1.4 million downloads every 30 days. Yes, it’s big, and yes, it’s been quite the side hustle!
The lessons learned from being involved in different aspects of media are invaluable. I’ve had the pleasure of working with countless guests, many of whom are household names. But if there’s one thing that has stood out to me over the years, it’s this: the number of guests who fail to follow instructions. And that’s exactly what I want to talk about today—how not to be one of them.
If you’re an author and want more coverage, please take note.
Most podcasts (and media appearances in general) come with specific instructions designed to help you succeed as a guest. You might receive these instructions from the producer, in written notes, or even via video. In my case, for the podcast, we provide a detailed note, a video guide, and I personally speak with each guest to ensure they’re on board. Yet, despite all of this, about 10% of our guests don’t follow through.
One of the biggest issues? Equipment. Specifically, microphones. We require an external microphone—no exceptions. The difference in sound quality between an internal mic and an external one is night and day. If a guest shows up using only their device’s built-in mic, we reschedule the interview, which no one wants to do, yet it’s that crucial. The internal mic often makes voices sound distant and echoey, while an external mic delivers a rich, clear, and professional sound.
Here’s the kicker: setting up an external mic is incredibly simple. You can find quality options on Amazon for as little as $50, and with a USB connection, it’s plug-and-play. A few quick adjustments to ensure your system recognizes the new mic, and you’re all set. Yet, you’d be surprised at how many guests say, “No problem,” only to never actually follow through.
Don’t be that person.
And this goes far beyond microphones. Podcast hosts and producers might ask you to use a specific link, join a few minutes early, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, share the episode on your social channels—the list goes on. The point is, they’re giving you these instructions for a reason. When you follow them, you make their job easier, and you set yourself up for future opportunities because you’ve proven to be reliable and easy to work with. What I call a Media Darling.
Delivering a great interview is, of course, essential—and next week, I’ll be diving into some of my top tips on how to do just that.
As we wrap up the summer season, with back-to-school and back-to-work routines just around the corner, it’s time to savor those last sunny days and maybe even indulge in an early pumpkin spice latte (rumor has it they’ll be available right after Labor Day!).
Until next time, stay savvy!
To your success!
Joanne
P.S. Love your voice!
#MasteringMedia
#LoveYourVoice
#BookMarketing
#BookPublicity
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