My First Podcast Interview (And how I stumbled over the elevator pitch)
Have you ever imagined what it would like to be interviewed as an author? Public speaking has always frightened me to the point of a minor nervous breakdown, so while imagining this type of thing is enough to make me sweat, I admit that I’ve dreamed of laughing with Letterman and ugly crying with Oprah. And how did you get your start in writing, Kim? Well, I’ll tell you, Dave, it began with a creative writing workshop. … Dave’s eyes glaze over.
While I won’t be featured on television anytime soon, last week I was interviewed for a podcast. For those who are not familiar with podcasts, they are the equivalent of radio shows. If you have a podcast app on your smartphone, you can subscribe to any of a broad variety of programs, from newscasts to true crime mysteries to those that focus on writing craft. I personally love these shows and listen to them while I make lunch or clean my office.
I’ve been a writer for newspapers and magazines, so I’m no stranger to the interview process—except that I’ve always been the one asking the questions. This time, Danielle Lacy, podcaster for her fun and informative show, Dear Girlfriend, would be asking me the questions, and I’d be answering them on the spot. I am Dany’s editor, and she was eager to get me on the show to talk about editing and publishing. My first thought was that I should do this. Dany is a friend, and she would “help me along” if I got stuck. My book is coming out in June, and I consider every bit of exposure a good thing. In addition, this would be a great learning experience, and if all went well, a confidence booster.
I told Dany I would do it. It sounded like fun, and while I’m shy about being in front of people or on TV, a podcast was an opportunity to speak without the added stress of being seen.
A few days before the interview, however, Dany sent me an email with details about time and date as well as a note about a YouTube video. My heart skipped. Video? Since we’d be having a Zoom call, she planned to upload the YouTube version of our conversation sometime down the road.
My first thought was, “Oh no,” and I experienced an immediate spike in nerves. To combat them, I reminded myself that I love to talk about writing, editing, and self-publishing, so there was no need to worry. Everyone was making videos these days, little snippets left on Instagram and other apps, and I had been thinking about what kind of short video I might upload to my website for a while now. This would be good experience. Maybe I’d even get over my fear of video. No need to worry, right? … I got this?
So, I woke at the usual early hour the day of the interview and put myself together as I would if I were actually leaving the house(!), set up my computer on my Varidesk so it would be at eye level instead of looking up my nose, opened the blinds for some light, and hoped for the best.
As I waited for the Zoom call to welcome me, my veins undeniably coursed with adrenaline. A last-minute worry crossed my mind: I had not practiced my “elevator pitch” in a long time. Only a moment before Dany was about to call, it occurred to me that she might ask what my book is about. I tried to remember the short pitch I’d written and edited months ago—those three all-important lines that summarize the plot of my book—but could only come up with the first part. Crap! Why hadn’t I practiced?
The Zoom call popped onto my screen. Dany and I talked for a few minutes, and then the interview began.
She asked the first question and I answered. One fear I’d had in the days leading up to this was that I wouldn’t have enough to say in response to her questions, but as I spoke, the words came easily. I had slipped into conversation mode.
My nerves had not yet settled, however, and a couple of times I came to the end of a sentence and found myself out of breath. (Note to self: Revisit yoga and deep breathing exercises, which will also induce calm in stressful situations.) But even this discomfort went away as I dropped deeper into our dialogue.
It was going well. I felt confident. I was having fun. And then Dany asked me what my book is about: flashing red lights and alarms went off inside my head. Suddenly I wanted to hide under my desk. I went blank, scrambling for something to say, anything at all. I mentioned the genre, then scanned some notes I’d left on my desk. In the end, I admitted that I was “not great at talking about it.” Yes, that’s what I said via podcast and YouTube video! Ugh. Dany moved on to the next subject—query letters—which I jumped on as if it were a life raft.
I had botched my opportunity to give my elevator pitch, and all I can say in hindsight is that when the experts in every book you ever read on publishing tell you to memorize your elevator pitch, you really should. Practice saying it out loud, in front of the mirror, in front of a friend or significant other. I wish I had! As a matter of fact, I’m scribbling it onto my to-do list right now.
In spite of this blunder, the interview ended up being awesome (thank you, Dany!), and I had a feeling of accomplishment when it was over. I’d done it! I had survived my first-ever podcast. Dave and Oprah would be proud:))
Now I just had to get through the experience of watching it on YouTube!
Here are the links, both podcast and YouTube—your choice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKVB2RidL7Q
Next week, I’ll talk about guest blogging.
Kim Catanzarite is a writer, editor, and instructor for Writer’s Digest University. She has worked as a developmental and copy editor since 1994. Her thriller, They Will Be Coming for Us, will publish June 1, 2021.
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