Tips on Getting Yourself Interviewed Everywhere

BY Ben Lang Apr. 05, 2010 37 Comments

Aside from social media, advertising, business cards and speaking engagements, interviews for self-promotion are also very effective.

I was very fortunate, at age 14 to be interviewed on Channel 12 for my eBay business. It not only brought me new customers but it also served–even now two years later–as a great way for me to introduce myself to others. I uploaded the interview to YouTube, which now has over 8,000 views and continues to drive traffic to my site, connecting me with other entrepreneurs.

After realizing how much interviews could benefit me, I immediately began to put myself out there. Soon after I was asked to participate in an interview on Blog Talk Radio, which again connected me with yet more entrepreneurs.

I was even interviewed in a local newspaper called the Westchester Eye. Since then I’ve been interviewed on many blogs, which you can check out here.

So the question is how can you get yourself interviewed?

Have a story! The only way you could get yourself interviewed is by having a unique story whether it be your remarkable business, impressive age, or inspiring success.
Make connections. For example, I was connected to the editor of the Westchester Eye by my mom. They were looking for freelance writers, but she didn’t have time. Once she heard they were searching for teen contributors, she introduced me to the editor, who interviewed me for an article and then asked me to write a column.
Promote yourself offline. People may see your business cards, flyers, books and be impressed. Reporters, bloggers, talk show hosts may also see them and seek you out.
Offer your time. Contact reporters and bloggers, show them how interesting you are and give them your pitch. Who knows, maybe you’ll succeed in convincing them to interview you?

Have any other ideas? Feel free to share below.

Entrepreneurship, Your Brand

entrepreneur, tips

http://www.theresabloginmysoup.com Patrick Curl – Facebook Marketer

Wow Ben, gotta say I’m very impressed with all that you’ve done at your age.

Plus your writing style, could beat out a few adult Bloggers I know.

Keep up the good work, I’ve subscribed and maybe we can connect in the future.
.-= Patrick Curl – Facebook Marketer´s last blog post: Facebook Miracle: How to get a Kidney Donation in 20 Minutes Flat! =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Appreciate your kind words Patrick. I have to admit though, sometimes my Mom reads over my posts before I post them. Hope to continue seeing you here.

http://www.venturemixx.com Tony Ruiz

Great tips. Connections is everything. Nice blog, I’m going to visit more often.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Thanks. Hope to see you commenting here in the future

http://www.win-with-1.com Alison Moore Smith

OK, that’s a stinking cute video!

I am a public speaker. My web stuff is more because I can’t spend all my time traveling around the country speaking while leaving my six kids home. But it’s sure fun when I do it. And it is amazing how the personal appearances can feed the online stuff.

Good stuff.
.-= Alison Moore Smith´s last blog post: WordPress Backup: A Two-Step Process =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Haha, thanks Alison.

http://phillipdews.com Phillip

Great post Ben, it always inspires to to hear about successes from someone so young. dude you have a great future ahead of you. I am 34 now and most of my adult working live I have been in low paying and hard working jobs with 1 main exception! namely running my own pub all be it for a year though.
Saying that though i have had my blog since december 2009 and I am very proud of it and what I have acheived with it, of course its still early days yet, but my blog to be up there with you guys one day soon.

and reading stories like yours inspires me to get there as well it should inspire others!

Keep up the good work buddy!

-Phillip Dews
.-= Phillip´s last blog post: Are you lost online? =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

So happy to hear that this post inspired you. Keep going at your blog, believe me I only started 6 months ago and look where I’ve come.

Good luck to you Phillip!

http://phillipdews.com Phillip

Cheers Ben, So you started a month before me then! i think that exposure you got 2 years ago put you in good stead for this blog! keep up the good work!

By the way have you thought about making an eBook about this business, i think it may benefit you and your readers? Anyway thats my 2 pence worth!

All my Best

-Phillip Dews
.-= Phillip´s last blog post: Are you lost online? =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Yeah the exposure really helped build me up. I’ve never really thought about making an eBook I can’t say I’m a fan of eBooks (too many, so many are low quality) Maybe one day though!

http://www.youngprepro.com Onibalusi Bamidele

Hi,
This is really a great post I will have to use someday. To add: you have achieved quite so much at a very young age. Wishing you more success.
Thanks.
.-= Onibalusi Bamidele´s last blog post: You have to read this =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Thanks Onibalusi! Start getting yourself interviewed everywhere now and you’ll see how much it helps.

http://www.youngprepro.com Onibalusi Bamidele

Yeah! I know it really helps, and it even helps you bring the spotlight upon yourself as an expert. I know I will soon begin to get tons of them, but I want to make my blog very popular before trying to look for the opportunities. This post is really useful and I definitely will resort to it later, in the near future
Thanks a lot for providing wonderful posts like this, you are such a genius
Thanks a lot.
.-= Onibalusi Bamidele´s last blog post: You have to read this =-.

http://shirley.shirleyszone.com/ Shirley

Putting yourself out there really helps and it has helped me a whole lot as a young entrepreneur. And I’m even speaking at the TEDxYouthInspire on Saturday.

One of the results of putting myself out there and getting known .

Hope you are doing fine, Ben .
.-= Shirley´s last blog post: This Happens To Me All The Time – Funny And Interesting Geek Picture =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Wow, that’s really impressive that you’re speaking at TED. That’s really a great accomplishment. I’m doing great, hope you are too Shirley

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http://www.marcaugustine.com Marc Augustine

I was interviewed on a couple radio stations in baltimore that aired. But I was interviewed by Time Magazine but it was never published. But I have to agree. Getting interviewed is an amazing way to promote yourself.
.-= Marc Augustine´s last blog post: America is On Sale. Let’s Buy =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

That’s incredible that you were interviewed by Time too bad it was never published. It certainly is a great way to promote yourself.

http://www.dennisedell.com/about Dennis Edell

First off, very cool that your Mom’s involved. I gave up long ago on the talking business with the family, thing. Of course my parents are probably twice her age and from a totally different era…they just don’t get it. lol

Second, do you still have your eBay mojo? I’d love to chat…
.-= Dennis Edell | DirectSalesMark´s last blog post: Will DEDC Comments Remain Do-Follow? It’s Up To YOU! =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

I guess it’s cool, never really thought about it from that perspective. About the eBay business, I mostly stopped but I’m still open to chatting. Hit me up if you’d like.

http://imagineanything.com/ Tampa SEO

Good job of getting your name out there. I bet you are getting a big traffic spike from that.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Thanks, it does help a lot over time, more than just traffic, it also gets my brand name out there.

http://www.treatgoogle.com KS Chen

Wow! You are the role model for me to follow. You are so young and so successful! You really aspired me a lot. Thanks!:)
.-= KS Chen´s last blog post: Win the Prizes for SEO =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

I’m humbled, I really don’t think I deserve so much praise. Thanks so much for your support.

bbrian017

Hey very cool Ben congrats on the interview. I never knew you could make so much money from ebay but I guess if you have something to sell.

Best of luck to you!
.-= bbrian017´s last blog post: Top engaged on the week for April 7th 2010 =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Thanks Brian, I didn’t make that much, the deal was the news channel was doing a story on how to survive the economic crisis since this was two years ago, and they thought selling your stuff on eBay would add on to it nicely.

Jacob Maslow

I got a lot of a press release. Worked with a vendor to write a case study and later on a press release.

They had a great product and as one of their first customer worked with them to develop it.

Had lots of credibility as someone else was mentioning me in their press release. Much harder than issuing your own release.

Got invited to speak etc.

Its definitely a good idea to be quoted on someone else’s press release. If you have a vendor who is doing something innovative and helpful to your company, he earned your quote and that gives you and him credibility.

If your eCommerce site is doing well, some of your vendors deserve credit. Your shopping cart, order management system or even the back end systems.

You adopt a Giver’s Gain mentality, everybody wins.
.-= Jacob Maslow´s last blog post: Katya Mansell story of getting healed from Anaphylactic shoc =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Interesting advice. Definitely agree with “You adopt a Giver’s Gain mentality, everybody wins.” Thanks for sharing Jacob.

sebin

Im new here and Im really impressed ! I think you gained another loyal fan
.-= sebin´s last blog post: Kick start your iPad with these Apps ! =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Awesome! Hope to see you around Sebin.

http://www.johnpaulaguiar.com John Paul Aguiar

Great tips.. I need to start getting interviewed.lol

That would be pretty cool and great promotion
.-= John Paul Aguiar´s last blog post: Google Says – A Strong Twitter Community Will Get Your Tweets Ranked On First Page =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Get started! Glad you enjoyed the tips.

Codrut Turcanu

Man, you’re killing us. Exposure is KEY in business and blogging. Bring us more of your free publicity tips, I think beginner and pro bloggers alike will benefit from your “secrets”!

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Haha, didn’t know my advice was so valuable. If people want it, I’ll definitely think about writing a post on getting free publicity

http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan

Awesome tips Ben! And it’s nice to see you in person, even if it’s a few years later.

A smart guy too; 10% to the universe, charity, or whatever you want to call it prospers you 100 fold.

As for interviews, I haven’t received any yet but continue to network and get the word out about cash gifting and my inspirational ebooks. When my time comes I know that the universe will yield

As always great insight Ben.
.-= Ryan´s last blog post: Don’t Share Your Money Problems with Me, I Don’t Want Them =-.

http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

Yeah I’ve changed a lot since then don’t worry. Ya, got to give back (rule number one.) Keep trying on the interviews, glad you enjoyed the tips.

http://Millionaireat24.com Aaron Darko

Hey Ben, I realy needed to read this post, thank you man. I have been interviewed once by Michael Dunlop’s Dad and they featured me on Retireat21 which is cool!

Having a story is the main thing I think. Because that’s what makes you interesting and inspiring to others.

Promoting yourself is also a good one, I was recently at the BBC headquarters and asked to speak with their Entrepreneur editor to try and get some exposure. They are going to get back to me.

@ Shirley wow thats great news, I’m happy for you! TED is fantastic and I would love to speak there!

You’ve achieved a lot in 6 months Ben. Well done man – an inspiration to us all
.-= Aaron Darko´s last blog post: Interview with David Risley on How To Get Started Online =-.

Tips on Getting Yourself Interviewed Everywhere

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