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How To Prepare Talking Points
For Media, Radio, and Newspaper Interviews: Book Marketing and Promotion
Tips
Many new authors spend a lot of time and energy trying
to get in the newspaper or on the radio. When they finally get there,
however, they often don’t know what to say. If you plan ahead
as part of your overall book marketing and
promotion strategy and prepare concise, compelling comments and
talking points about your book, you will be ready for any media, radio,
or newspaper opportunities. Furthermore, by having your talking points
prepared, you’ll come off as a real pro, increase book sales,
and maybe even be asked back!
The average radio interview lasts five minutes, of which three might
be broadcast. Likewise, on average you might get six inches of coverage
in your local newspaper or magazine.
Therefore, you don’t have a lot of time to waste hemming and hawing
about your book, and the journalist interviewing you doesn’t want
to waste his or her time either. So before you even start soliciting
press or media coverage, write down and memorize your talking points.
You say you know your book? I’m sure you do. But when you’re
under the gun of a timed interview, or an interviewer hits you with
a surprise question, it’s easy to stammer or get confused. Talking
points are your lifeline. I suggest preparing a list that at least contains
the following:
- What’s the “elevator pitch” (a 10-second summary)
of your book?
- Who is your book targeted to?
- How and why did you decide to write it?
- What are three passages in your book that you want to quote?
- What can people get out of your book?
- Where can people buy your book?
- Where can people find out more about you, your book, and your writing?
(see What is an author platform
and how to make one).
Write down on your responses to these talking points on note cards
and memorize them, but keep the cards with you when you do interviews,
just in case. That way, you’ll come off more professional and
make the most of the time you get. Capitalizing on media, radio, and
newspaper opportunities is an essential part of successful book marketing
and promotion. With prepared talking points you’ll be prepared
for any opportunity that you encounter.
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