HOW TO NAIL THE “BIG” INTERVIEW

We all want to have an important person for an interview.

HERE’S HOW TO GET ONE

It is according to where the person is “BIG.”

If it is a prominent blogger, you are going to have to be noticed.  They get a lot of requests from people they have never heard of.

BUT THEY DO READ THEIR COMMENTS ON THEIR BLOG.  HONEST THEY DO.

Especially, if you get in early on the comments. If you are #200 they may not notice so much.

So subscribe to their blog as an email recipient.  Not RSS.  Then you will get notification about a new post right away.

Read the post carefully.

COMMENT INTELLIGENTLY.  Add something to the conversation.  I know you have heard this before but it cannot be said enough.

• share your opinion
• ask a question about the topic.  They like that.

Nobody cares about someone who writes, “Great post.  Thanks.”  In fact most of us just delete those as spam or someone who is looking for a link.

They won’t notice you right away.  You have to put some time in on this. Do it for several months at a time.

If you comment on every other blog that they write, sooner or later they will click over to your URL to see who you are.

Don’t target just one “big” blogger.  Pick a few.  You will increase your chances of being noticed as they read each other’s blogs and comments.  Yes, they do.  This is a friendly but competitive business. They watch to see what others are talking about.

The first sign is if they answer your comments.

Now, they have a clue about who you are and if you have a blog that appeals to them they may entertain a request for an interview.

Flattery, as they say, will get you everywhere.  So send an email and tell them how much you love them – followed by a request for an interview.

Give them a framework on what you want to know from them.  Don’t be vague. By this time, you are familiar with what they write about.

That is what they will want to talk about.  Pick up a theme that is a little different from their writings but is completely in line with their thinking.

Don’t worry if you have a small blog.  They were small once.  Most of them are willing to help if you have some talent but have not yet caught on.

GUEST POST

Another one you have heard before.  Why haven’t you done it?

The famous Yaro took a guest post from me when I had ten subscribers. (three were relatives)  He has 88,000.

Postcasting was just getting started and I wrote an article on how to interview. “Brash,” you say.  No.  I didn’t know any better.  I found a hole and filled it.

It didn’t hurt a “newbie’ like me to have that many eyeballs on my article.

But I did not ask if he would take it.  I sent it.  Complete.  And I got lucky.  He liked it.

This is another way to build relationships before you ask for an interview.

Please note:  It has to be an original article.  Not something from your blog.  And you cannot put it on your blog later.  It would be counted then as duplicate content.

OK – let’s switch gears.

THE MOST FERTILE SOUCE FOR INTERVIEWS IS AUTHORS.  EVEN FAMOUS  ONES.

Pick a book that is pertinent to your topic.   Read all the reviews on Amazon.com so you are sure you are interested in the contents.

THIS IS THE PROCEDURE.

Find the publisher in the information on Amazon.  Call them. Yes, on the phone.

Ask for the publicist who is handling that particular book and get the correct name and email address for future use.

Make a letterhead for your blog and follow the directions to get a review copy. You do not have to pay for it if you are a legitimate media outlet, like a blog or radio show.

You might find that the author has hired a separate publicist since there is so little budget for publicity these days at publishing companies. Unless you have a “tell-all” political book you are in trouble getting air time.

Override the publisher now and go there.  They will tell you who that publicist is.

This is the person you want to contact.  They are being paid to get their author media time and reviews.  They will be HAPPY to talk to you.  Follow up with some links of shows you have already done and some information on your blog or interview show.

Do not send any attachments.  Most will not open them.

Ask that person for a press kit and a review copy if you have not received one.  It will probably also include questions the author would like to answer.

Do not make the mistake of contacting the author – unless you know them personally.  It marks you as an amateur.

NOW WHAT?

When all these things come together, it is time to book them.

You should have prepared detailed information on how they can connect with you for the show and your general guidelines.

You will also want them to sign a release form to permit you to air the show.  There are samples on the Internet. Look under “Talent Releases.” Find one that meets your needs.  Check it out with your attorney.

WHY?

You want to own the rights to your own show. You might want to later include a portion of the show in a promo tape to get other authors or even package it with other interviews and offer it for sale.

RETURN THE FAVOR

On the other hand, give them permission to use the show for their own use or web page as long as your copyright is included.  They will send out your show to get others.

READY?

Sound complicated?  It is not.  Authors are used to this procedure.  They want the publicity and have gone the route many times before.

SO –

GO GET ‘EM.

Any questions? I’ll try to help in the comments on this article.

Since I am a media coach, you could also take advantage of my services as you go along on this new venture.

I’ll work with you to make you interview like Oprah.

INTERVIEW LIKE LARRY KING

HIRE CORINNE EDWARDS

INTERVIEW WITH CORINNE ON TALKING PURPOSE

HOT NEW SITE TO HELP YOU GET INTERVIEWS

TALKINGBOOKSTV

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