How to be the Perfect Radio Show Guest

How to be the Perfect Radio Show Guest
By: Naomi Giroux (see bio at end of article)

You’ve been invited to be a guest on a radio show. Great!
Now its time to do your homework, not to sit back and see what the host will ask you.

Interviews are great ways to market yourself and your work. Radio interview shows are fun, easy, and expansive, last forever on the net, and don’t take much time. A few pointers and you’re ready to go!

Radio shows tend to follow established patterns: introduction, body (questions and answers), and closing. Different hosts handle these differently, so as you review your host’s shows, listen for the pattern. Some shows take call-in questions and chat room questions. These questions are normally screened, so they are on topic. You may find some hosts ask the questions to limit confusion.

There are two basic types of hosts; your planning should be slightly different for each. Discover what type of host and show by listening to several shows before you’re appearance. Listen for common questions and the flow of the show.

· “My Show Hear Me Speak” Host: The host is the Star, regularly expressing opinions or giving long explanations as they ask questions. This host can be abrasive and try to get discussion through controversy. Often the guests have only short on-air time on this type of show.

These types of shows tend to have political/controversial topics. If you have written a book fitting this description and get invited to be a guest, go informed and prepared.

o As a guest on “My Show, Hear Me Talk,” focus on a couple of key points about your work, yourself, or whatever the topic is. Put these into short media bites you can insert regularly during the show when you invited to talk. Weave them into the answers so your message will get out. Also, at any chance you get, provide your contact information. Best form of contact information is your website especially if it is your name and simple. Plan ahead. Be ready with goals, but remember that this host is the Star. You need to be gracious to thank them for inviting you to be a guest.


· “The Showcase Show,” Host: “The Showcase Show” host guides you to get your information out. He or she will ask questions they expect you to answer and expound upon. You are the star of this show. This type of show is what authors want to encounter.

o To prepare know your key points. Be ready to talk. The worst guest on this type of show is the “one word or sentence” speaker. Be ready to have a conversation. Set yourself up in a comfortable place, relax, and visit with your new friend. Always be sure to get your contact information presented before the show is over either by yourself or the host. Thank host and the listeners. You will discover that the time flies by on a “Showcase Show.”

Some radio show hosts have a production written up for each show. This many be very complete with lists of possible questions and time breaks to repeat the guest’s name and contact information. The guest can ask for this list of possible questions or suggest questions and talking points. Some hosts have only notes they work from. Your suggested questions and talking points will help them know what direction you would like to go.

KEYS: The Keys to successful interviews are:

• be prepared to talk,
• relax
• and have fun.

Naomi Giroux is a published author; co-owner of Stimulating Conversation about your book, an author strategic marketing company and host of three radio shows.

Naomi@stimulating-conversation.com

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Tips for Authors - Radio Interviews

MAKING THE MOST OF AN INTERVIEW,

Today, we're excited to welcome Valerie Connelly, Radio Talk Show Host since 2005, and Publisher and founder of Nightengale Press as our guest blogger. Check the links at the end of Valerie's column to get more information about Valerie and the services Nightengale Press offers.

Internet talk radio is a growing entity, which provides low-cost, high-value opportunities for anyone who needs to promote themselves, a product or a business. Giving interviews helps to establish you as an expert in your area of interest. Authors and people in the book industry are wise to participate as often as possible.

As a radio talk show host, I have the opportunity to interview authors and business people who work in the publishing industry every week on CALLING ALL AUTHORS (www.globlatalkradio.com/shows/callingallauthors) . Personalities appear with me on the show each week, and for each program, we have a routine that works well for us and for our guests. Here are some tips and details of etiquette that apply to any interview with the media, including newspapers, television interviews and radio interviews.

* Be prepared. Provide your host with six to ten talking points you'd like to discuss at least a week before the interview. Organize these points in a logical order and actually use them when you are on the air.

* Keep the appointment and be on time. There is nothing more impolite than to not show up, or to show up late for an interview. Unless you've had a serious calamity in your life, call in at the appointed time. Make it a priority to participate. If you can't make the interview, call or email the host at least day ahead. Please, do not just "not show up." You will not be invited back---ever.

* Speak clearly. Remember that you are talking to promote yourself, your book or your business. Slow down if you usually talk too fast, speed up if you usually talk too slowly, and speak loudly enough to be heard. It is amazing how often people mumble into the phone. And, don't breathe heavily into the phone, the air muffles the conversation.

* No multi-tasking. Turn off your computer and your cell phone so you are not tempted to multi-task. Close the door to the room and ask your family to stay away till you come out after your interview. Please, don't do the dishes or tidy up your office while you are talking.

* Be polite and cheerful. It is okay to be happy on the program. Even if your topic is serious, an occasional, appropriately light-hearted comment is a good thing. Remember, you are showing who you are, so a cheerful demeanor goes a long way help listeners hear what you are saying. Also, smile as you talk. The smile will come through in your tone of voice. Have fun and it will show!

* Give the host a chance to interact with you. Be complete in your answers to all questions, but don't run on for several minutes without pausing. The host may have a question your listeners are thinking too, and if he/she can ask the question, your interview is even more valuable to you.

* Use an outline for your responses. All too often guests read from a written text. At the most, have your talking points list and a few short comments for each so you remember what you want to say about each item. But, do not write out a long answer. The temptation is to read it, as this kills the conversational style of an interview.

* Be sure to give your website URL. Your host will ask you to say what your website or email address is so listeners can contact you. Work it out ahead of time how to most easily give this information. Most people know you need the www. Ahead of the website, so you don't really have to say that part anymore. Point out anything unusual about the address --- perhaps a number or a strange spelling is part of your URL. Make sure to clarify that as you give the information.

After the interview is over, write a quick thank you email to your host. This goes a long way to getting yourself invited back on the show. Keep in touch with the show host for future events you'd like to publicize. Being on talk shows is a very valuable form of exposure, and the more of them you can do, the better. And, if there is a way to advertise on the show's home page, for a reasonable cost, jump in. There are plenty of other people who come to the show's archives, and will see your display ad. It may encourage them to listen to your interview as well, and if you are running a commercial, everyone who hears it will connect with you long after your show airs.

For more information on Valerie and the services offered by Nightengale Press, please visit

www.nightengalepublishing.com

www.nightengalepress.com

www.valerieconnelly.com

www.globaltalkradio.com/shows/callingallauthors