SO YOU’RE GOING TO BE ON THE RADIO ….
(Hints for radio interviews)
by Dr. Robert Sullivan, Author & Publisher
 

Doing radio interviews can be an effective way to publicize yourself and in the process, sell a few books. But even if no immediate sales result from an interview, the publicity, over time, will have a positive effect on sales. Some folks have no problems with interviews (in my case, my amateur radio hobby has made it easy to "talk at a distance") but for others the experience can be somewhat daunting … especially at first.

Here are some hints to make the process smoother and to help avoid any embarrassing moments. These hints assume you are doing the interview from home and not at the studio which is generally the case.

T= Scheduled Interview Time

T- 2 weeks (at least)

* Send the radio station a short biographical sketch of yourself and some suggested questions. Mention you will be ready to go at the appointed time and ensure they have your correct telephone number. (The radio station should call you. You should not have to pay for the call. If disconnected during the interview … wait … the station will call back.)

* Call the radio station and confirm receipt of your materials. Ask the host if you can give out an order number or other contact information or if they will do it for you immediately before or after the interview.

* Listen to some talk shows to get comfortable with the formats.

* Purchase, if necessary, a telephone pickup for your cassette recorder and test it to see that it works.

* Place tab markers in your book so you can quickly refer to important areas.

* If you will be talking on a battery powered portable telephone handset, make sure you install a fresh battery.

* Send your children to the neighbors house.

* Clean up the area where you will be sitting. Lay out any reference materials you may want for referral.

* Have a clean writing pad and a couple of ball-point pens (no pencils … they break) available.

* Turn off the call-waiting feature on your telephone.

* Lock your front door and disable the doorbell.

* Place your pets in a room far away from where you will be talking.

* Visit the bathroom!

* Have a large glass of ice water available.

* Ensure your cassette recorder and telephone pickup is in place. (and extra cassette tape depending on the length of your interview).

* Sit down and take a few deep breaths. Relax!

* Start the cassette recorder.

* Smile and answer the phone.

* Talk in a normal tone of voice and speak slowly.

* Never be argumentative with the host or a caller.

* If the host gives you a bad time, live with it, it will be over soon. Don’t return the favor and you’ll be the winner.

* Give short answers - don’t ramble.

* Write name of caller so you can personalize your response (e.g., "Good question, Mary"). You will forget the name if you don’t write it down.

* Don’t blatantly advertise (your book) unless asked. Don’t answer every question by saying, "Well, in my book I ….."

* Breath normally … it’s over!

* Write a thank you note to the host.

* Review your recording and assess your performance.

Robert Sullivan is the author of The Small Business Start-Up Guide and United States Government - New Customer!.