Artists can be flaky, hard to pin down, and occasionally unreliable. How do I know? Because I’m an artist—and I just described myself.
A few days ago, Ian reached out to remind me about an interview I had arranged. Unfortunately, the interviewee had failed to respond to the second and final set of questions. After two follow-ups, I had to accept the silence as disinterest.
Now that unfinished interview sits in my inbox, staring back at me—a frustrating reminder that not every project gets completed. But it also inspired this month’s column, where I’d like to pass along a bit of hard-earned wisdom. I’m no guru, just a fellow artist who’s been on both sides of the interview process.
Your Name Is Your Brand
If you’re a self-published creator—whether in art, music, comics, or literature—your name is your brand. That’s how audiences identify and remember you.
Building your brand means getting your name out there, consistently and professionally. Yes, it includes publishing your work. But it also means giving talks, participating in panels, and most effectively—saying yes to interviews.
Why Interviews Are So Valuable
Why are interviews such a powerful tool?
Because they give you control over how your story is told. A skilled interviewer will build thoughtful questions based on your responses, helping shape an engaging narrative for readers. Through an interview, your audience gets to see the artist behind the work—and that’s part of building trust and recognition.
Interviews also signal credibility. They show that someone cares enough to ask, and that you have something worth saying.
But here’s the flip side: not following through on an interview can hurt your brand.
When You Ghost an Interview
Let’s revisit that interview I mentioned earlier. If the person I was trying to feature later approaches another publication for coverage, and I’m asked for feedback, I’ll be honest: they didn’t follow through.
That kind of recommendation can close doors. And those doors don’t just belong to one editor or one magazine. Word travels. In creative industries, reputations are shared—good and bad.
Worse still, the interview that could have promoted their work sits unused. That’s free exposure lost.
Free Advertising You Can’t Afford to Miss
Let me repeat that: free advertising.
In a world where promotional costs are constantly climbing, interviews are one of the few zero-cost ways to reach a broader audience. Imagine a full-page spread—or even five pages—dedicated to you, without paying a cent. That kind of visibility is gold for independent creators.
Even if only 1% of readers are converted into buyers, the return can be well worth the effort. And if the interview gets syndicated or picked up by another outlet? Even better.
Final Word
Don’t underestimate the power of an interview. And more importantly—don’t squander it.
If someone offers you the chance to share your story, take it seriously. Prepare for it. Follow through. Treat it like the opportunity it is.
Because you never know who’s reading.