Tips for Becoming
an Excellent Talk Radio Guest
By Marsha Friedman
For
nearly two decades, we’ve been telling you
about the value of talk radio as a means for promoting
your book, product or service to the masses. As
one of the country’s top providers of radio
shows around the country, we schedule anywhere from
50 to 100 interviews week in and week out. As a
result of our close working relationship with the
media, we know what works and what doesn’t.
Because we want you to succeed with talk radio,
here are ten more “inside” tips to help
you become the kind of guest every host wants to
have on his or her show:
1. Be entertaining. The ultimate goal of every talk
show host is to entertain the audience and keep
them tuned in. If you are an entertaining guest,
you will make the host’s job that much easier.
Work on presenting compelling information in a way
that retains the attention of the audience. Remember
that a bored audience is an audience that will be
unreceptive to your message and more likely to tune
out.
2. Be a good listener. Although it’s certainly
important to present compelling information to the
audience, it’s equally important to be a good
listener. Make an effort to understand the host’s
questions and comments, along with anyone else who
calls in. Don’t just yammer away incessantly
without directly responding to their line of questioning
and/or comments. A good interview requires the highest
level of communication possible between you, the
host and callers.
3. Speak in sound bites. Although they may not remember
extended monologues or statements, listeners have
a tendency to remember sound bites. Before an interview,
it’s good to come up with several sound bites
that pertain to your message and write them down
on note cards. Read over these sound bites prior
to your interview and have them nearby in case you
need to refer to them. By utilizing sound bites,
you increase the chances that the audience will
remember your message.
4. Be prepared to answer any and all questions.
What questions are hosts likely to ask you? It’s
always best to anticipate the tough questions beforehand.
Although the majority of talk radio hosts are friendly
and receptive, you should be ready to answer negative
and/or tough questions. Try not to let the host
catch you off guard. By answering tough questions
intelligently, you build credibility with your audience.
5. Prepare yourself for both long and short-form
interviews. Some of your interviews may last as
little as five to ten minutes, while others may
go an hour or even longer! Make sure that you prepare
show outlines that cover either scenario.
6. Adjust your attitude to fit your message. If
you have a positive message, make sure that you
present yourself with a positive attitude. If you
want to be perceived as being passionate, make sure
that you present yourself as being “full of
attitude.” The more “attitude”
you have, the more likely the audience will listen
to what you have to say.
7. Be distinctive. No one ever remembers a boring
guest. Work on making your message special and distinctive.
Hosts love unique guests because it keeps their
audience entertained. Avoid a flat or monotone delivery
at all costs. If you come across as ordinary, the
audience will perceive your book or product as being
ordinary as well.
8. If you can, stand while you are speaking. If
you stand during your radio interview, your voice
may sound broader, more confident and more expansive.
When you sit, your voice may not project as well
and you may have a tendency to sound too relaxed.
While it’s not true for everybody, you may
find that standing helps you project your message
with excitement.
9. Never, ever use a speaker phone. Speaker phones
do not provide producers with broadcast quality
sound and should be avoided at all costs. If you
sound weak and distant, you stand the chance of
losing the interest of your audience and upsetting
the host. Your best bet is to use a “hands-free”
telephone headset.
10. Prepare an opening that gets to the “meat”
of your message immediately. This is important because
interviews can and do get cut short from time to
time. If you’re not prepared for this possible
scenario, you lose the opportunity to get your key
message out.
Remember --- your intention for every interview
is to enlighten the listening audience about your
book, product or service and interest them in purchasing
it.
About Event Management Services, Inc.
For nearly two decades, EMSI has represented clients
in a broad range of industries---from alternative
health, products, music and books---to finance,
politics and general business. They are known as
one of the country’s top providers of talk
radio guests. For additional information, visit
http://www.event-management.com. Contact: Jay Wilke,
727-443-7115, ext. 223 jayw@event-management.com
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