The Power of Radio - Tips for Great Radio Interviews

Many people are intimidated by radio interviews, whether live or pre-recorded and often spoil great promotion and branding opportunity in less then effective interviews.

Did you know there are more than 1500 talk radio shows in the US?

Also, radio is the only medium to show increased usage since the introduction of the Internet.

Radio can be a powerful way to communicate to a large amount of people in an immediate and intimate way.

So it is increasingly important to perform at your best when doing radio interviews in order to make optimum use of the opportunity.

Having worked in radio for more than 16 years, here are my 10 tips for getting the best out of radio interviews.

1. Preparation.

You only have one chance to get it right with live radio. Always prepare. This includes having strong and precise messages you wish to relay to the audience and goals for the interview.

2. Stay on message.

Most radio interviews are less than four minutes in duration. Always keep on message and avoid being drawn into side issues. Journalists are trained to acquire information from you, not necessarily on the topic covered in the interview. Keep focused at all times.

3. Metaphors and examples.

Radio is a very intangible medium. It is difficult to store and listeners rarely get a chance to re-listen. Make your message more memorable and tangible with stories, metaphors and examples. Remember radio reflects your personality to the audience.

4. Use word pictures.

The radio is often on as background noise. It is also the medium of imagination. Cut through the clutter with words that paint a picture in the mind of the listener.

5. Be available.

Always make yourself available for radio interviews. The immediacy makes it a powerful medium. Be available to go into the studio for better quality than over the phone or to take talkback calls. Missing a interview opportunity means the station will find somebody else to interview, perhaps a competing company in the same field, offering them the exposure.

6. Warm up your voice.

Always take time to warm up your voice so you sound more articulate, intelligent and authoritative. This will give you more confidence. Be clear in your pronunciation, unlike printed news listeners aren’t able to listen again if they miss words.

7. Make it personable.

Use the interviewers name to make it more personable when answering questions. This is another chance to develop a relationship with the media outlet interviewing you as well as your audience.

8. Don't wait to be asked.

Many first timers fail to get their message across because they wait to be asked. Always try and take control and use every opportunity to get your message across. Be adaptable but remember your goals and messages.

9. External noise.

When you do radio interviews make sure the background is as quiet as possible. While wailing sirens will help add a sense of urgency, background noise can be distracting from your main message. Remember your message will be competing with background noise in the offices or cars it is listened to in so try to keep your background noise as minimal as possible.

10. Call to action.

Most people will remember the opening and closing of a radio interview. Always have a strong closing with a call to action, i.e. something you want listeners to do. Having an action statement at the end of your interview offers an opportunity for listeners to be involved with your company and develops your relationship further.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

---

Public Relations 8 Fix Factors

I say to business, non-profit and association managers, a key... Read More

Getting to Know Your Local City Council Members

The easiest way to meet city council members is to... Read More

PR Going According to Plan?

Think carefully! You're a department, division or subsidiary manager for... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Dont Hold Back Information From the Media

Some financial planners think that they shouldn't share their top... Read More

Gaining Free Publicity Through Press Releases

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

Press Release Preparation

Small Business Owners should send press releases out at least... Read More

Media Release Headlines - Ten Tips to Get Media Attention

So you have spent hours and hours writing, shaping and... Read More

Why Do You Want PR?

To get someone's name in the newspaper or a product... Read More

Publicity: Polls and Surveys Are a Great Path Free Publicity

When I search Google News for "surveys," I get nearly... Read More

How to Write News Releases that Get Noticed

What do you do with junk mail? Are you like... Read More

VIP Database; Does Your Company Have One?

The VIP databases are fun to create and can be... Read More

Killing Them Softly

The world has woken up to ethical issues in corporate... Read More

A Well-Oiled Strategy Machine

Yes, that's what public relations really is when it tracks... Read More

Media Relations: Making Your Story More Newsworthy

During my career as the head of media relations for... Read More

When Tactics Are Not Enough

Your public relations people are busy. The buzz is all... Read More

Managers: Super-Charge Your PR

Ain't a gonna happen unless business, non-profit and association managers,... Read More

The Most Important PR In America

Just happens to be public relations activity that alters individual... Read More

How to Take Advantage of Public Relations

Decide once and for all to do something about those... Read More

The Art Of Persuasive Pitching

Media placement is an art. Practicing it often requires as... Read More

Free Radio Publicity for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners

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

Mission-Critical Public Relations?

As a business, non-profit or association manager, any tool that... Read More

Managers: Why PR is SO Key

When outside audiences important to your operation do not understand... Read More

Doubt PRs Clout? Dont!

Done right, it helps modify the behaviors of your most... Read More

How Video Production can be used in PR

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

The Right Hook

Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More

PR? Why?

Well, for starters, because good public relations can alter individual... Read More

How To Get FREE Publicity Whenever You Want !

What you are about to read is a step by... Read More

A New Idea For Venture Capitalists

Obviously, it hurts when a promising business project you backed... Read More

Managers, Got a Grip on Your PR?

What are you trying to do with your business, non-profit... Read More

Imagine PR Like This Helping You

As the kids say, how cool is this?You're a business,... Read More

Top Five Publicity Myths

Most people consider getting publicity the most important part of... Read More

The Four Seasons of Publicity - Building an All-Year Publicity

If you're like most publicity seekers, you probably think oneproject... Read More

Passing the PR Bar

The public relations bar, should such a proficiency measure ever... Read More