Pitching an Interview
When pitching, don’t focus on what you want out of an interview. Focus on the value you provide.
Others’ perception of your value is crucial in securing features and good publicity. Establish yourself as an expert with a unique perspective; once you manage to schedule an interview with people who have a vested interest in what you have to say, they will help you to get exactly what you want out of the interview.
Dr. Decoteau J. Irby’s interview on Successful Black Parenting’s podcast
In-person Interviews
If any media is attending an event you’re participating in, arrange an in-person interview. You’ll have the opportunity to speak about your book as well as your role at the event.
Professor Jody D. Armour’s interview on LA Currents
The flow and energy of an in-person interview, especially at an event, is easier (and more fun!) to navigate than a virtual interview. It will be simpler to convince them to schedule something due to the convenience of your mutual attendance.
"Sound Bite Culture"
Think what you may about our “sound bite culture” (and yes, there is often a lack of depth and nuance; yes, it does open us up to more arguments; yes, it focuses on immediacy and can lead to rushed judgements… but it is the culture we live in and the media landscape all books compete in), there is a reason why the same authors and public figures are interviewed over and over again. Because they can be relied upon to deliver a succinct, powerful, punchy message every single time. If you follow any media darlings (a term not meant to offend, promise!), you will notice that they have an uncanny ability to stay on script. How do they do it? They speak in carefully crafted sound bites.
Most of the time, when we speak about sound bites we mean short clips from an interview used to summarize and promote the longer piece. Sound bites serve as “hooks” for the media to draw in an audience. They are also the main takeaways that will linger in the minds of listeners, viewers, or readers after the interview is over. But in most cases they are not the result of careful editing, but thoughtful planning. They are what savvy speakers and interviewees craft before they go on air or even agree to an interview.
Sound bite of Omni Casey’s interview on the Thought Hustle podcast
If you only had a few seconds to reach your audience, what would your message be? That’s your main sound bite.
If you had a little more time, what else would you share? That’s your secondary sound bite. You should have 3-5 sound bites crafted and memorized before you start giving interviews.
The best sound bites are those that distill the core ideas you want to get across into a succinct, interesting, and memorable sentence. Think “quotable”! The next time you listen to your favorite author or public figure speak, see if you can identify them. And the time after, see if they repeat them. (Spoiler alert: most likely they will repeat them, possibly even word for word. Why? Because it works! So get to crafting and memorizing those juicy sound bites!)
