Are you having a hard time building your writing platform, your precious brand? Does every day seem like an uphill battle? You work hard but never seem to make any headway, your books aren't selling. Three stumbles back instead of one step forward.

As a writer, no two months are ever the same. Sales up one and then down the next. Frustrating, right?

author interview

photo credit: visual.dichotomy via photopin cc

Stop Focusing On Yourself

It's easy to worry about low sales, writer's block and lost motivation. The sinking sands of pity suck us in. We feel trapped. We feel broken. We feel lost.

Take a look at writer's forums and LinkedIn groups and you'll see writers complaining about everything from evil Amazon to the lack of time they have to write. Boo Hoo. Woe is me.

I've done it. If you're doing it now, snap out of it!

Instead of wallowing in misery, let's turn the tables and do something constructive.

Shift The Focus

Tim Grahl, in his book Your First 1,000 Copies, talks about doing outreach, about connecting with fellow writers in an honest and giving way.

What's one of the easiest ways to do that? Author interviews.

An author interview posted on the web has the ability to be passed from person to person, platform to platform. It's a win-win.

Not only do you both get more exposure, you also have the ability to connect with a writer who may have otherwise seemed in another league.

How cool is that?! You get to make a new friend just by helping someone else. A novel idea, no?

So how do you do it?

Do Your Research

Once said author says yes to your interview request, take some time to look into their work, their brand and their focus. You don't have to read every book, but get a feel for who they are as an artist.

You want to be able to tailor questions to fit them. Make it personalized.

Make Your Subject Look Like a Rock Star

Remember, you are not the focus of the interview. Your only job is to make the interviewee look like a hero.

Ask open-ended questions that allow your interviewee to voice their opinion. YES or NO answers are not allowed.

Develop questions that will entice your readership to try out some of your new friend's work. What will make them click the buy button?

Last Pointers

– Use a format you're comfortable with, including, but not limited to: written blog posts, webinars, podcasts, etc…

– Don't waste their time. Be punctual if you're doing a live author interview and stay within the timeline allotted.

Who's the first author you'd like to connect with?

PRACTICE

For the next fifteen minutes, you're my subject. Answer the following three questions as the rock star of the day.

1. Why did you want to be a writer?

2. Tell us a little bit about what you're currently writing.

3. What do you enjoy most about connecting with readers?

Post your practice in the comments section below and please provide feedback for your peers.

Carlos is author of the Corps Justice novels. Get the box set of Books 1-3 for FREE HERE.

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