Landing an interview to promote your book is a fantastic opportunity to connect with readers, showcase your personality, and boost your visibility—but to leave a lasting impression, it’s not enough to just show up. You need to be prepared, genuine, and ready to make your story shine. Don’t worry—we’ve got the tips and tricks to help you nail your next interview and captivate your audience.

1. Do Your Homework on the Interviewer

First things first—know your interviewer. Just as they’ll be researching you, it’s smart to spend a little time researching them. Understanding their style, their audience, and their previous work will help you tailor your responses to fit the tone of the interview and engage the right readers.

• Check out their previous interviews and content to get a sense of the questions they might ask.
• Know their audience. Are they more focused on industry professionals, book lovers, or fellow writers? This will help you frame your responses.
• Connect with them beforehand to clarify the format and ask if there’s anything they’d like to focus on.

2. Highlight What Makes Your Book Unique

You’ve likely answered, “What’s your book about?” a hundred times by now—but don’t settle for a bland elevator pitch. This is your chance to highlight what sets your book apart from the crowd. Focus on the unique themes, inspirations, or challenges behind your work that make it stand out.

• Share a personal story or moment that inspired your book. Readers love a peek behind the curtain.
• Emphasize the book’s hook—what makes your book different from others in the genre?
• Be ready with an intriguing, concise description of your book that will leave readers wanting more.

3. Be Authentic—Readers Love Real Stories

While it’s tempting to stick to rehearsed answers, interviews are a golden opportunity to show your true self. Readers connect with authors who are authentic and open about their journey. Whether it’s a struggle you overcame while writing or a quirky part of your creative process, let your personality and experiences shine through.

• Share the highs and lows of your writing journey—don’t be afraid to talk about challenges you’ve faced.
• Let your personality show. Whether you’re funny, reflective, or quirky, readers will appreciate your genuine self.
• Don’t shy away from emotion. Personal stories that touch on themes of your book create a deeper connection with readers.

4. Prepare Thoughtful Responses, But Don’t Script It

While you don’t want to sound robotic or overly rehearsed, it’s helpful to think about potential questions ahead of time. This will help you avoid rambling or getting off track. Prepare answers to the most common questions, like what inspired your book, your writing process, or what’s next in your career, but leave room for spontaneity.

• Anticipate common questions about your book and prepare a few talking points for each.
• Make sure to know your book inside out, so you’re ready for any specific or unexpected questions.
• Practice answering questions with a friend or in front of a mirror to get comfortable, but don’t memorize answers word-for-word.

5. Engage With Your Interviewer—It’s a Conversation, Not an Exam

An interview should feel like a friendly chat, not a one-sided Q&A. Engage with the interviewer, ask questions in return, and build rapport. A natural conversation flows both ways, and that connection will translate to your audience.

• Show interest in the interviewer’s comments and questions, and build on them with your own insights.
• If you’re excited about a particular topic, let that enthusiasm come through!
• Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer questions—it makes the conversation feel more natural and engaging.

6. Use Multimedia to Enhance Your Story

Many interviews now happen online, giving you the chance to add multimedia elements that can make the interview more dynamic. Share images of your book cover, behind-the-scenes moments from your writing process, or even short video clips that bring your story to life.

• Have high-quality images ready, like your book cover and author headshots, to provide visual interest.
• Offer exclusive content, such as a short reading or behind-the-scenes tidbits that haven’t been shared elsewhere.
• Consider recording a short video message for fans as part of the promotion.

7. Promote the Interview—and Your Book—Like a Pro

Once the interview goes live, don’t just sit back and hope people find it. You’ve got to promote it! Share the interview across your social media, website, and newsletter, and encourage your fans to check it out. The more people you direct to the interview, the more exposure your book will get.

• Share snippets, quotes, or highlights from the interview to pique interest.
• Tag the interviewer and relevant people or platforms to boost visibility.
• Encourage your fans to share the interview with their networks to expand your reach.

By following these tips, you’ll not only make the most of your next interview but also create a meaningful connection with readers and potential new fans. A well-executed interview can spark curiosity, build your author brand, and most importantly, help you sell more books!

FAQ

Why is it important to research the interviewer beforehand?

Researching your interviewer helps you tailor your responses to their audience and understand their interview style, leading to a more engaging conversation.

What should I focus on when talking about my book?

Focus on what makes your book unique, share personal stories that influenced the work, and emphasize key themes that will resonate with readers.

Can I suggest my own questions for the interviewer?

Absolutely! In fact, many interviewers appreciate when authors offer a few suggested questions. This can help guide the conversation toward key themes or topics that you feel are most important for your book’s promotion.

How do I keep readers engaged throughout the interview?

Engagement is all about variety and energy. Share personal anecdotes, keep your responses concise yet meaningful, and don’t hesitate to show your personality. Readers want to see the real you—someone they can connect with beyond the book.

What can I do after the interview to make sure readers see it?

Once your interview is live, don’t wait for readers to stumble upon it—promote it! Share it across your social media channels, include a link in your newsletter, and interact with the interviewer’s post wherever it’s shared. Engage with readers in the comments, and be sure to tag the interviewer to extend the reach. Collaborating with the interviewer on cross-promotion can also help attract new readers to both of your platforms.

Wrapping It All Up

And there you have it! With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be well on your way to making a memorable impression in your next author interview. It’s all about being prepared, authentic, and ready to shine the spotlight on both you and your book. Now, go out there and connect with your readers—you’ve got this!

Are you an author ready to take the next step in promoting your book? Whether you’re looking to dive into an interview or reveal that stunning book cover, we’ve got you covered with our author marketing services.

Let readers discover the inspiration behind your book. Schedule your author interview today and start building your fanbase.

Your book cover says a lot about your book—let readers in on the story behind it. Share the inspiration, symbolism, and design process with a cover reveal that deepens their connection to your work.