Radio Interviews - How To Get Them!

Getting on the radio can be a great tactical move as part of your overall publicity effort, but you do need to have a story idea or an angle to present on a particular topic. Selling yourself as a guest on a talk show is a great way to raise your profile and if your subject relates to a topic that is currently in the news your chances of getting on is clearly improved.

The media is hungry for business stories. But sometimes it seems that the business community doesn't't blow its trumpet often enough.

If you get the opportunity to talk about your business in the press or media, it's important to get it right. Getting on the radio can be a great tactical move as part of your overall publicity effort. We offer some easy steps to get you on air.

Do your homework

You need to know exactly which radio shows you want to target and why. Before rushing into getting an interview, answer the following questions:

Which radio show will be interested in me/my product/service?

Who are the audience that I want to speak to?

Why will the radio show host want me as a guest?

Are there any current news issues that I can align my interview with?

Do I have a special offer or piece of new news that I can offer?

Do I have any contacts that can assist me with gaining an interview?

Which interviews have I heard that was similar to mine?

Which other questions should I be asking myself here?

Nothing kills your chances better that approaching a talk show with an idea that doesn't't resemble the style and content of the show. If you know what type of topics the program focuses on you can tailor your pitch, and raise the chances of an appearance.

Be news worthy

Getting yourself onto a radio program is like any other sales call; you don't want to ring a potential prospect at their busiest time. It's much better to find out when they normally take calls. If your subject relates to a topic that is currently in the news your chances of getting on are clearly improved ? so ride a news wave.

If you can demonstrate past experience in speaking engagements, lecturing, etc., the producer is more likely to take a shot at your appearance. If there's anyone who can provide a testimonial, your credibility will be enhanced.

Be prepared

Prepare yourself for the conversation with the producer of the show you want to target. Try your approach on someone you know. If you can't get their interest, there is a good chance your idea will fall flat with a producer. Some experts recommend sending a pitch letter first and then following up a day or two later. This can work, but if you speak to the show's producer directly, you will be able to sell the idea at that point, as well as demonstrate your ability to engage an audience. Remember that you're selling, so the more excited you are about your project the more likely someone else will be sold on it.

Follow-up

Always follow up on interviews. Add a unique code or e-mail address if you are able to. This will help you in tracking the response from the specific interview.

Always keep in contact with the host or organiser of the show to ensure that he/she thinks of you in the future when opportunities present itself. You may be more likely to get an interview or article publishes in the future if the first one went well or if you have build a good relationship with this person.

About The Author

Ben Botes is the head Coach at www.My1stBusiness.com a web portal dedicated to 1st time business leaders and entrepreneurs. Visit the site for hundreds of free Micro Modules, Teleclases, Resources and Coaching designed for you to succeed with your business.

By: Ben Botes, Copyright 2003 - 2004 www.My1stBusiness.com

The complete article together with preactical excersises and Coaching tips can be found at www.my1stBusiness.com You are free to reprint this article in your ezine or ebook, or on your website, as long as the contents in the article and the resource box are not changed.

ben.botes@my1stbusiness.com

---

A PR Surprise for Managers

For those business, non-profit and association managers committed to PR... Read More

Sending Samples With Your Press Release-- should you or shouldnt you? Heres a guide?

When you should send samples with your press release:1) When... Read More

What Some Pros Know About PR

They know they had better do something positive about those... Read More

A Guide to Optimizing Public Relations Content

This guide to "SEOing" your PR efforts can help you... Read More

The Ten Ps of PR

Everyone is talking about the Ps of successful marketing, so... Read More

Free Radio Publicity for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners

Radio is a powerful publicity tool. Most stations offer news... Read More

PR Works! 15 Ways To Make Your Press Release Stand Out From the Crowd

Do editors of newspapers, magazines and online news sites really... Read More

Yes, There is a PR Sweet Spot

And here it is: public relations alters individual perception leading... Read More

Two Donts for Financial Planners Seeking Free Publicity

Many of my clients have had the misguided perception that... Read More

How to Keep PR Working for You

Managers in the non-profit, association and business worlds need to... Read More

Right PR Focus A Powerful Advantage

Powerful is a strong word. But it fits here. As... Read More

Forget the Press Release - Heres How to Pitch Like Roger Clemens

Stripped down to its core, publicity is little more than... Read More

Whats Stopping You From Getting Publicity?

When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More

How To Make Time For Public Relations

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly... Read More

Gaining Free Publicity Through Press Releases

One of the greatest ways to promote your product or... Read More

Some Cool P.R. Tips for These Dog Days of Summer

Yup -- it's hot and sticky and you don't feel... Read More

Public Relations: Understanding Educated Gambling

As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More

Publicity From Thin Air

In an ideal world, your business would be overflowing withnewsworthy... Read More

Celebrities Cant Have It Both Ways

Corporations are willing to pay substantial amounts of money to... Read More

Advertising and Community Relations -- Get the Best of Both Worlds

Have you ever noticed that in communities without big universities,... Read More

Auto Detailing Public Relations; United Way Withholding

As a mobile detailing company it is important to have... Read More

The PR And Marketing Expert Has A Smattering Of Knowledge Regarding Nearly Everything And Is Certain

PR, that is public-relations, leads the way to effective advertising;... Read More

PR Buyers Beware!

It can bite you and waste your public relations budget... Read More

Go Ahead, Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Call a Reporter

Yes, you can call a reporter.I've said it before, in... Read More

Publicity: Nailing a Media Interview, Part III (Staying on Topic)

In a media interview, always stick to your main points... Read More

Nows The Time To Get Christmas Media Coverage

Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More

How Video Production can be used in PR

At the core of any successful public relations campaign is... Read More

Advertising Is Dead. Long Live PR

Although I still believe there is a place for advertising... Read More

Can Your PR Game Plan be Salvaged?

If, as is often the case, you are preoccupied with... Read More

Your Online Newsroom: How to Give Reporters a Tip

It's hard to imagine a reporter working today who doesn't... Read More

A Winning Public Relations Game Plan

You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More

Foolproof Publicity for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners

They'd hate to admit it, but the media is pretty... Read More

Dont Expect to Bump Oprah From A Magazine Cover

"I want a pony, a tree house and the fastest... Read More