How to Know You’re Ready for Media

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BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

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Whether it’s a podcast interview, a TV appearance, or a feature in a print publication, authors need the media to connect with readers. The media is how people find you and your writing.

Lots of authors feel more comfortable expressing themselves through writing (which is understandable!) — but that can lead to uncertainty about whether you’re ready to do media. Because being ready and feeling ready don’t always happen at the same time. And that holds them back from getting out there. And they might say no to an opportunity and it might not come around again! Eeek!

A lot of people think that being afraid or fearful means you’re not ready to do media. And that’s not true. If you wait around to feel totally confident without doing any prep — you’re never going to feel ready.

A little nervousness is to be expected whenever you’re putting yourself out there and doing something new. Yep, even seasoned professionals who have been on TV lots of times feel it. But the reason they get out there despite the fear is that they are prepared. So whether you feel ready or not, there are concrete things to do to set yourself up for success with the media.

If media-readiness is on your mind, I’ve got some tools for you right now. I put together these checklists so you can know when you’re ready to do media and where you need to build more skills.

Video:

Home/Office Setup: Do you have your camera, lighting and microphone all set? These are critical elements to be sure that you’re seen and heard perfectly. But also what about your background? Blurred backgrounds and green screens are a thing of the past.
Wardrobe selection. Do you know what looks best on camera (and what to avoid)? I have resources here to help you figure it out. The key is looking pulled-together with jewel tones or solid colors that complement your appearance.
Makeup skills: Especially for remote appearances or no-studio setups, being able to do your own makeup will help you come across as professional and let people’s attention stay with your message. Here are some tips!
In-Studio protocols: What to bring, where to go, who to check in with. This will vary based on the studio and are things to keep in mind day-of so that everything goes smoothly.
Contingency plan: Do you have a plan if your segment is cut or delayed? This happens often in the world of TV and it’s important not to be caught off guard. Have a plan for making the most of your prep if your segment is cut. You can film some content at home (with all your great makeup and wardrobe!) to share on your social media, for example.

Podcast:

Set up a clean, quiet space: Good sound quality makes a difference. A noisy space won’t do!
Understand your host’s expectations: Have you listened to past episodes of the show? Do you know the tone and audience? This is important information so that you know going into the podcast recording what your host might be going for.
Structure your talking points ahead of time: I suggest using the Accordion Method for creating short, medium, and long answers — it works for podcasts as well as TV and print. Check it out here.

Print:

Describe your book clearly and concisely: You should have a go-to short, medium, and long answer when you’re asked to describe your book.
Craft meaningful answers before the interview: Draft a list of things you’ll likely be asked and consider your answers. Having these to draw from will be so helpful when you’re sitting down with a reporter.
Understand off-the-record rules: Journalists generally respect that when someone says something is “off the record,” they mean it. But you can’t unsay something — so try to get ahead of that by thinking why you want to share something. Usually there’s a better reason to be tight-lipped!

Technical know-how:

Lighting, camera, and microphone setup: Lots of people do interviews from home these days, so it’s important to have a setup that lets you create professional-looking video from home. I’ve got a whole guide for you here on how to do this.
Testing software/platforms: You should always test your platforms before go-time. You never know when you’ll forget a password or need to restart an app.
Troubleshooting common issues: What do you do if you wear glasses and see a glare? What if your internet or camera goes out during an interview?

Interview prep:

Navigate unexpected questions: Sometimes a question comes that you weren’t expecting. That’s why being prepared for pushback is key. Take a deep breath, stay on topic, and keep your cool.
Keep the focus on your book or expertise: Your book or expertise should be front and center when you’re being interviewed. Keep tying your answers to your book, because that’s the star of the show! That’s where your talking points come in (here’s my guide to creating those).
Stay composed when the tech isn’t working: Technical difficulties happen. Stay calm and go with the flow. That keeps your audience feeling like everything is under control. And if you need to pause and regroup to make sure people can see or hear you — no sweat!

For more tips, check out my self-paced course, Media Ready Author:

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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