I had the good fortune of being on another podcast! The marketing plan for my novel Magglio Cervantes, published April 2023, was to engage podcasts to discuss the book. I sought out, and continue to seek, podcast opportunities, then email my marketing pitch offering myself as a guest.
The first five marketing email pitches yielded no response. But much like life, this was to be a learning process. The Book Lover's Companion podcast, my sixth pitch, was the first to respond favorably to my advances.
That initial email exchange was August 2023, and a recording date for January 2024 was offered. I gladly, and nervously, accepted. Heck, I didn't know what the process was, but was surprised, and thankful, to be offered a recording date without first vetting me, [well, they scouted out my Amazon author page], or make sure I could speak coherently, which I often do.
The January recording date was proudly marked on my calendar for five months forward. [Note: this was my first podcast for which a recording date was set, though two other podcasts were subsequently corralled and recorded between August and January.]
As preparation for this upcoming date, I listened to many Book Lover's Companion episodes. Common questions were identified for which I could then prepare. It also allowed me to get familiar with the format and what to expect.
I practiced in the weeks leading up to the podcast appointment. On my morning walks with Ghost Dog, I'd play out conversations and interview questions in my head. Questions asked by a host, me answering, then replying to follow up questions. I was trying to manufacture hours of interview experience, because by the January recording date, this would be only my third podcast, barely one hour of actual podcast experience. And I must admit, by the recording date, I felt good and confident about my speaking points. 'If only they will ask me the right questions,' I thought to myself.
A week prior to our recording date, I received an email from the host. Our appointment was confirmed and a subsequent email contained a link. I was to click the link on the appointed day to join the podcast by video.
We recorded on January 20. Our conversation was conducted on video, though only the audio was recorded. The hosts were in Vienna recording at 8 pm their time. I'm here in Southern California, recording time was 11 am Pacific. [Very nice of them to accommodate me on the time conversion.]
I spent much of that Saturday morning managing my pre-game nerves by staying busy. A walk with Ghost Dog preceded breakfast, followed by a walk to Vons for groceries. Keep active, was the goal, do not get bogged down in a nerve-rattling game of wait and over-thinking.
I clicked the link 10 minutes early to join the video. Got in early as a courteous show of appreciation, instead of coming in late or too close to Go time. One of the two hosts was already present!
The extra minutes allowed us to confirm no IT difficulties, audio and microphone input and output were adequate, then fun pre-game conversation of Hellos and greetings before Go. For all the pre-game nerves, this felt more like a conversation than an interview.
Shortly before the start of recording, the host, of whom there were two, moved a green screen behind them, then picked their preferred virtual backdrop, the bookcase seen in the episode's media post, then clicked a screenshot of us to be used for the episode on their website.
During the recording I didn't feel nervous and the two hosts were delightful. The audio, however, doesn't lie, some choppy cadence on my part near the end, balancing nerves and trying to respond to questions for which I was unprepared. Don't take my word for it, listen in and decide for yourself. But hey, life is about the experiences. Regret is best relegated to the things we did not do or try, not the things we did.
Please click the following link to listen to the podcast. [Book Lover's Companion - Magglio Cervantes podcast]
[Thank you and much respect to my hosts, Edith and the Chattering Teacup @ the Book Lover's Companion podcast. -Bill]
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