Yesterday, I was interviewed by Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn for an upcoming post on a new video blog she’s launching soon.
I’m on Skype, but pretty new to it. After tinkering around with it a little, though, I think it’s a great way to promote your book or do virtual interviews, especially if you can’t travel or don’t want to.
This article on Galley Cat pointed a couple of helpful sites to help connect writers with readers, including the Skype an Author Network.
I’m never wild about seeing myself on video or hearing my own voice, taped, but I was able to minimize some of my discomfort by a little preparation (and the knowledge that Joanna will be doing some editing on the video before it runs.)
Lighting—From what I was able to find out online, it’s best to have a light at about the 2:00 spot, a small light behind you, and a small light at the 9:00 spot. I’ve seen some videocasts that were poorly lit, and noticed that shadows can be really unkind to anyone over the age of twenty.
Camera—I have a separate web camera, which cost under $100. It’s nice to be able to move the camera around, instead of having it as part of the laptop. I set the camera up to be almost shoulder height to me and angled it to get the picture waist-up. I put a sticky note with a smiley face on it to remind me to look at the camera, not at Joanna’s face on my computer screen.
Sound—My microphone is attached to my webcam. I ran a test with the Echo Sound Check Service that’s free on Skype to make sure I could be heard. Also, I tried to eliminate background noise. I asked the kids to stay upstairs and be quiet, put the dog in the backyard, took the phone off the hook, silenced my cell phone, and put a sticky note on my front door.
Since Skype can be a little jerky in sound and video, I spoke slowly. Also, I spoke slowly knowing that I have an accent and wanting folks to be able to understand me. Actually, our segment should be called “The Accent Show” since Joanna is Australian. :)
Make-up—Joanna mentioned that she recommended wearing a good deal of make-up for Skyping. So I went out to buy some (the tiny amount that I wear wasn’t going to work.) Unfortunately, the eye liner was liquid instead of pencil and I didn’t know how to apply it, so I ended up looking Goth. :) I had plenty of time to fix it, though.
Water—Same advice as being on a panel…good to have water nearby, just in case.
Clothing—I heard that patterns were a no-no, and so was wearing white. I put on a black top and some jewelry.
Background—I just chose a corner of my downstairs. The idea was for it to be pretty uncluttered. I made sure the table behind me was dusted. :)
Books—You might be asked about your books. You’ll want to have them close by, just in case you need to hold them up.
Preparation—I think it’s the fear of losing my train of thought that’s the worst. If I can just know that I have something available to glance at if I’m stuck, then I’m a lot more relaxed. I jotted down some notes on a white board and put the white board on a stand behind the camera.
Test your video image: Want to see what you look like before the interview goes live? Log on to Skype, click “tools” and “options” and then “video settings” on the left-hand side to see your image.
Skype to Skype is free and it’s a very easy application to download and use. Have you ever done a Skype chat?
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for being on the show. In the spirit of honesty, let’s also add that we had noise problems and so you had to contend with my gardener buzzing in the background and me running off to deal with him! You did very well to be so calm and unstressed and the lesson is perhaps to be prepared for anything!
In terms of makeup, it was just some makeup, not lots :)
Video has a horrible tendency to make one look bad! (not you of course!)
I’ll be posting the interview next week on audio and video – you’re a star!
Thanks, Joanna
I’m laughing thinking of you looking Goth.
We use Skype at between our rural school and town. It’s a great tool. What a great interview tool!
PS I hate hearing my voice on a recording. eww.
T
Elizabeth – Welcome to the world of Skype! I actually like it very much :-) and I’ve used it both for work and fun. One of the things I like best about it is being able to pass things back and forth – things like documents.
Oh, and there are several Skype chats in my WIP…
How exciting! I would not have the nerve, I look dreadful on Skype. I use it to chat with my children in their various parts of the world. A marvelous invention.
To reduce noise here, I would have to strangle every crowing cock around the village.
I look forward to the posting and seeing you in goth style, Elizabeth. ;0 lol.
Thanks — my PC has no video, although my laptop does, and I HATE the way the camera makes you look old, ugly, and jerks you around (at least my built-in one does). I can’t stand the sound of my own voice when it’s played back, either. But Skype is great, especially when your daughter lives in Northern Ireland.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Joanna–The gardener was a hoot! Really, it was too funny. Oh. Not so much makeup, then? I had so little left, though, that I might not have been able to even scrape together a minimum amount! Thanks for the interview. :)
Glynis–Well, I SORT of fixed it, although it looked a little like I had black eyes. :) Which I didn’t! Good luck with those roosters. :)
What fantastic tips! Back in my acting days, I did a few tv interviews, but this is a completely different ball of wax. It sounds as if you were wonderfully prepared. Why am I not surprised?
Video of me just doesn’t sound appealing! I think I’d scare everyone, including me.
Is it bad that even the IDEA of this terrifies me!? ACK! I hate my voice–wouldn’t even want AUDIO, but adding video?
Great though, to have all these hints to minimize the damage that could be done!
I’ve used Skype a little, mostly for my son to chat with his auntie, though he watches his own image more than hers, something the rest of us finds hilarious. He keeps posing and asking her to take his picture.
I hadn’t thought about using it for interview purposes, though it’s a neat idea. I hate to hear my voice on playback, but it might be good to do practice ones just to get used to it. I’ll keep your lighting and presentation tips in mind.
Too funny to hear about the gardener. I look forward to watching your interview.
This sounds like a great tool for writers. Thank you for the information!
I have Skype, and I was all set to use it to do a bookclub, then the scheduling didn’t work out. So here I sit, talking and smiling at my laptop, practicing for my Skpe debut. Wonder if my family thinks I’m crazy?
Teresa–Sounds like it works great for your work!
I’ve not heard a single person say they like the sound of their own voice! So funny.Maybe our brains hear our voice differently when we speak than when we listen to it? Hmm.
Margot–Now that’s a use I hadn’t thought of! Interesting…I’ll have to look into it. Can’t wait to find out how Skype figures into your WIP!
Alex–We wouldn’t be scared!
Terry–Yes! That’s exactly what it does. My kids Skype with their aunt in Africa and the children look beautiful–but that’s because they’re so young! Shadows are really devilish. But the lighting was easy to fix–I put a small tabletop lamp on a kitchen stool at 9:00, turned on a small lamp on the table that was behind me (I had the lamp up on a couple of books so it was level with my head), and then I had a lamp at 2:00. Actually, I had *2* lamps at 2:00–one floor lamp that had a beam that shot straight up, and then a smaller lamp that shone right on my face.
Hart–Video worries me too, but I started thinking about it–it sure beats in-person interviews!
Jaleh –He sounds like an actor in training! Ha!
You know, there must be a reason why no one likes the sound of their voice on play-back. I’m exactly the same way. My voice almost sounds *different* than it does when I’m talking! But I’m sure, to everyone else, it just sounds normal.
Heather–I think it’s a great way to do remote interviews…and the ‘free’ part is especially nice.
Elspeth–I think that being prepared helps me to relax and not be too anxious! I’ve got a radio interview next week that I’m stressing over now…but I haven’t prepared for it yet. It’s about time to crack down!
I need to get a Skype setup. I saw a call for speakers yesterday and they said they were willing to Skype in those who weren’t in the DC area. Just think it would be weird to do one of my talks to a computer screen. Interview, yes. Speaking engagement, weird. I like to interact.
Excellent advice, Elizabeth. There’s so much to consider and you covered it all.
I suspect your interview will be great.
I have Skyped before, but to family or friends. I’m just so impressed that you did an interview via Skype!
Diane–The only time when that would probably feel natural was during your Q&A time at the end of your lecture. You’re right…it would feel odd. It would help if, on the other side, they pointed the camera toward the audience so that you could see them.
Helen–I was thinking that maybe you attended a writer’s conference via Skype? But I might have dreamed that or be thinking of someone else.
Having lived in 7 countries over the past 11 years I’m a regular skyper….is that a word? I’m always slightly shocked when the video pops up and I’m looking a little worse for wear. Thanks for the tips.
Kirsty
Alan–You know, maybe you should check out that Galley Cat link for authors who will Skype. Especially after all your practice.
4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle–We know we look better than those videos! The lighting is, I think, the biggest help.