Writing Tip of the Week
Writing Tip of the Week
My Views on Interviews
“Be sure to not slurp your coffee when doing a radio interview.”
This was the best, the absolute best, bit of wisdom a professional public relations expert gave me and a few fellow writers. I had ghosted an “As Told To Dan Baldwin” book about a group of psychics and a few of us were selected to appear on any radio/tv/podcast interviews. The publisher brought in his PR person to prepare us. I am not exaggerating with that “don’t slurp” comment. I spent decades in public relations and advertising and even had my own advertising agency. I know a good bit about PR, enough to know that people inexperienced with media need more than advice on how to drink coffee. Here, then, are a few thoughts on the subject.
Trust, but verify. I had arranged a book signing for the above-mentioned book in Santa Fe. The bookstore wanted a confirmation from me. The “don’t slurp” expert said that she would handle that for me. The day before I was to set out for New Mexico, I called to make sure the store had my books in stock. The manager said that I had not confirmed the signing, so the event had been cancelled. When I called the expert, she mumbled something about being very busy. She not only failed to arrange interviews, she screwed up an existing one.
Bottom line: Even if working with professionals or so-called professionals, take responsibility to do your own follow up.
Be prepared. (Recreated transcript of a legitimate phone call)
DB: Hi, Dan Baldwin here. Just checking in for tonight’s interview.
(NAME WITHHELD): Wha… fuh… muh… whomah…
DB: Dan Baldwin. We have an interview scheduled in 15 minutes.
NW: Fifeen mints… I donknowno… who?
DB: Dan Baldwin. You’re interviewing me in 15 minutes.
NW: (A short string of expletives) mmm… Engneer on… hold muh…
The interviewer was apparently very drunk or very high and working from his home. He connected with an engineer at the studio who took over and conducted a pretty decent interview.
You never know what’s going to happen, so, as best as you can, don’t let anything throw you, and be ready to tap dance.
Son of Trust, but Verify. I had an interview set with a national program that, for some reason, required use of a land line. Like most people, I use a cell phone, so I had to check into a motel just to use their phone. FYI – going such an extra expense was, for me, worth it due to the large size of the program’s audience. I did have my cell with me. When the time came for the program’s engineer to call, nothing happened. Minutes passed and I used my cell to check in. The engineer said that he had been calling the land line. I rushed down to the lobby to learn from sweet young thang that “we don’t connect calls to rooms after ten o’clock.” That’s insane, right? But crap like that happens. I instructed thang to forward the call immediately and within a few moments was engaged in a very successful interview. Now, when this situation arises, I make sure the lobby personnel know to forward any calls. Note: lobby personnel change shifts, so I always double check half an hour before any program.
Sometimes you need to overcome challenges from people who don’t know their butt from the hole in their head.
Keep Your Cool. I was being interviewed on a Canadian podcast hosted by someone who continually bragged that he wasn’t just a podcaster; he was a reporter. I could hear a capitalized R in reporter in his voice. The program was about one of my paranormal books and he was trying his best to be a “hard charger” with his questions. He was mostly trying to impress his audience, I believe, but a few times he was baiting me. I never hesitate to be firm in an interview, but (so far, whew) I haven’t let an interviewer get under my skin. Generally, most interviewers are decent folk just trying to present a good program for their audience. It’s important to not take any bait tossed your way, even if you have to figuratively bite your tongue.
Be Honest. There is a temptation in speaking engagements and when being interviewed to be the expert on the topic being discussed. It’s natural and even if you’re careful about your speech, the tendency to brag or say something you think will please the audience can sneak up on you. I’ve never hesitated to say, “I don’t know” in an interview and I’ve never tried to bluff my way out of a question I couldn’t answer. I admit that I have cleverly dodged a question I didn’t want to answer, but, again, if I didn’t know, I said so. More than once I have had audience, members tell me how much they enjoyed hearing someone who wasn’t “spreading BS.” Honesty truly is the best policy.
Respect Your Host. The Burt Reynolds character in The Longest Yard told his teammates that their number one job was “to protect your quarterback.” Sometimes the interviewee needs to protect the interviewer. You may face the temptation to showboat at the expense of your host. That’s a bad idea. It doesn’t make for a good program. It probably ticks off his loyal audience. It makes you look like a jerk. Showboating will ensure that when the host is looking for someone to interview, you’ll miss the boat.
Protect Your Host. I was in the middle of an interview on an international podcast when I noticed that my host was slurring his words and was slow in responding to my comments. He also asked the same questions several times during the program and reacted as if asking for the first time. Shortly before the program was to end, they suddenly and without warning cut the feed and dumped in the last few minutes and plugged in a pre-recorded program. What the hell! I believe that my host, somewhat elderly, had some kind of medical incident or had an attack of violent stomach flu – something that befuddled his performance and eventually ended it. I knew something was wrong fairly early in the program and did my best to keep things rolling as long as I could.
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You never know what’s going to happen, so just be cool and be ready to roll with the punches.
Pros and Dabblers. There was a time when media interviews were conducted by trained journalists who understood and who were trained in the process. They’re still around, but more and more podcasts and interview programs are run by amateurs, dabblers, and fans. And, for the most part, that’s just fine. Most of the interviews I’ve been on were conducted by non-professionals and most of them do a great job. What they lack in training and experience, they make up for with enthusiasm, sincerity and a quest for knowledge and those factors go a long way toward a good interview. Sometimes you may find yourself having to nudge an interviewer along when he runs out of questions, but that’s just part of the experience. I haven’t run into this, but some podcasters I have seen are downright silly and are aggressive in making cute remarks that they think makes them sound intelligent. If that happens go back to biting the tongue and muddle on as best you can and on your best behavior. In terms of how I respond to inquiries, I don’t make a distinction between the pros and the dabblers. Provided they help me reach an audience, I’m happy.
Be Prepared Some More. You would be surprised at how many interview programs conducted by professionals require the interviewee to provide his own questions prior to the program. Once, a prominent interviewer, one of the pros, ran through the list and started right back at the top without realizing his error. Even if this isn’t the case, it’s a good idea to make a list of points you want to make during your interview. Sometimes the questions from the host or from the audience will drag you away from your key points and that’s all right, but the list will help keep you focused when, at the appropriate time, you can get back to those key points.
Be Patient. If the program allows call-ins, you will hear serious questions from serious people. You will also hear inane comments from people who really don’t know what they’re talking about. You will also hear people who call in just to pontificate. Answer the questions honestly if you can. Say “I don’t know” or “I don’t get into that” in a polite manner. Be patient with those who just want to hear themselves talk and focus on the needs of the audience when you respond.
Be courteous. I’ve had people “get in my face” in public presentations and in podcasts. Like with the “reporter” previously mentioned, they’re not listening to learn. You probably can’t change a closed mind on whatever subject you’re discussing, so don’t even try. Be patient and wait for the next caller.
Be firm. I was being interviewed on an international paranormal podcasts about my abilities in using pendulum dowsing for psychic research. The host wanted me to conduct on-air readings for callers. I refused politely. During the commercial break the engineer came online to encourage me (strongly) to do some readings. I explained that I had a process for conducting psychic research and that doing any reading without that process would render any reading worthless. I also said that my psychic work was/is a serious matter and not for entertainment. He pushed and I finally agreed to do the readings, but I told him that before doing so I would tell his audience that anything I discovered would be meaningless. We didn’t do the readings. I should note that my honesty and willingness to do what I felt right, didn’t cause a rift. I’ve been back on the program twice since that episode.
Have fun. If you’re nervous, just take a deep breath, keep your cool, and remember that you’re discussing a subject important to a lot of people who want (and maybe need) to hear what you have to say. Even if the host asks tough questions, which he should, you will be on friendly turf. Enjoy the visit.
Quote of the Week: “Speak properly, and in as few Words as you can, but always plainly; for the End of Speech is not Ostentation, but to be understood.” William Penn
Recommended Reading: Red Hot Internet Publicity – The Insider’s Guide to Marketing Online
Recommended Online: Tuesday Night Bri with Brian Cano (I was interviewed re:pendulum dowsing)
I’ll Be Signing Books:
Desert Foothills Book Festival – October 19, 2024
Paranormal Weekend at the Superstition Mountain Museum – October 24, 2024
Arizona Author’s Association Holiday Book Fair – November 30, 2024
Shameless Self-Promotion:
YouTube/Podcast Appearances: Coast-To-Coast AM With George Noory; Tuesday Night Bri; Monster’s Lounge; Sasquatch Paranormal Podcast; Afraid of Nothing; Patricia Monna Talks with Pendulum Dowser Dan Baldwin; Journey Through the Gate: Old West Spirits with Dan Baldwin; Journey Through the Gate: Dan Baldwin Author/Psychic in the Superstition Mountains; House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC: Dan Baldwin Psychic Detective; House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC: The Psychic Detective Guidebook; Horsefly Chronicles with Julia & Phillip Siracusa: Dan Baldwin & George Sewell; Watchers Talk: Is It Possible to Communicate with the Departed?; X2RS: Speaking with Spirits of the Old West; Andy de Codes: Dan Baldwin; Vincent Zandri? from The Writer’s Life Episode 851: Dan Baldwin; Rob McConnell Show: Dan Baldwin – The Psychic Detective Guidebook; Dangerous Thoughts; Generation X Paranormal, Generation X Paranormal; Typical Skeptic; Strategies for Living; Conflict Radio, The Energy That Surrounds Us; Shifting Paradigms in Medicine;
Contact me at [email protected]
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