| You've landed the radio interview and it's time to get | | | | nodding or uh-huhs. Hand gestures don't count in radio |
| ready to actually do it. Now what? Here's a list of | | | | either. |
| interview tips you'll want to read before your next | | | | 24. Radio will often use interviews live and later cut |
| interview. Keep them nearby, you'll be glad you did! | | | | them up for use throughout the day giving you more |
| 1. Go to a quiet room in your home or office; be sure | | | | airplay. So keep your answer to a 10 to 20 second |
| staff and/or family know you are on a radio interview | | | | sound bite. You can say a lot in that amount of time |
| and cannot be interrupted. | | | | and then you don't sound like you are babbling on. Don't |
| 2. Turn off other phones, cell phones and anything else | | | | go on more than a minute without taking a break. |
| that could create background noise including air | | | | 25. Don't just answer questions. Tell listeners something |
| conditioners and the radio, etc. | | | | you want them to know, something they wouldn't |
| 3. Have a glass of water nearby; there's nothing | | | | know unless they were tuned in, with the promise of |
| worse than dry mouth on a radio interview. | | | | more of the same when they buy the product or |
| 4. Disable call waiting: dial *70 and then call the studio | | | | come see you! |
| number. This disables call waiting for the duration of | | | | 26. Have three key messages. Short, not sermons. |
| the phone call. As soon as you hang up, it will be | | | | Sometimes the host opens the door, other times you |
| reactivated. | | | | have to answer a question and segue to a key |
| 5. Be on time. Call the station exactly at the time they | | | | message. A compelling message will have the host |
| tell you, or be at your phone waiting if the station is | | | | asking for more. Usually people can get in two key |
| going to call you. | | | | messages; the pros can get three. But even if you get |
| 6. Use a land line phone for best quality. Some stations | | | | in only one, you get a big return for the time invested. |
| won't allow a cell phone interview. If it is not possible to | | | | 27. Lazy hosts open with a lame: "Thanks for being |
| reach a land line then use a cell phone in a stationary | | | | here." Boom! Give a:15-:20 sec summary message. If |
| location and not while you are rolling down the road as | | | | the host introduces you with a question, be polite, |
| the reception could be interrupted mid interview. | | | | deliver your summary message, then answer the |
| 7. Do not use a speaker phone or a headset; again, it's | | | | question. "Thanks, (use name), for the opportunity to |
| about good sound quality. | | | | talk about....Now, to your question (name)..." |
| 8. Be self-assured. Remember, you know your topic | | | | 28. Maintain a Positive Attitude. BE GENUINE OR |
| inside and out. Be confident in your ability. | | | | TRANSPARENT. Don't fake enthusiasm or sincerity. If |
| 9. Smile, smile, smile, whether on radio or TV - SMILE. | | | | you're in a bad mood cancel the interview. Don't |
| You'll feel better, and for TV you'll look better too. | | | | pretend to know stuff you don't. |
| 10. Put some pizzazz and energy into your voice. Try | | | | 29. Re-read the press release or pitch that got the |
| standing while you speak to liven things up a little. | | | | booking since the host is going to be using that as a |
| 11. Research the show and tailor your message | | | | starting point. Often a book publicist such as myself, will |
| accordingly. Just Google the host's name and station | | | | tie into a breaking news event that relates to your |
| and check out their web site. Is it a national audience | | | | expertise. Be aware of that tie-in. |
| or a small town in Ohio? What is their format? Is it | | | | 30. After the interview write a thank-you note. Since |
| News/Talk, NPR or Classic Rock or something else? | | | | so few people do this, you'll really stand out from the |
| You need to know. | | | | crowd. And most importantly, you may get invited |
| 12. KNOW exactly how much time you will have on | | | | back. |
| the air as a guest, three minutes or 30 minutes...so you | | | | 31. Whether the interview is live or taped-live, if you |
| can tailor your answers to the time allotted. | | | | stumble, or flub up just keep going. Often what you |
| 13. Practice your sound bites-out loud before the | | | | perceived as a mistake, the listeners won't even |
| interview. Communicate your main points succinctly. | | | | notice. |
| Practice this out loud. | | | | 32. Ask for an MP3 of the recording before the |
| 14. Be informative and entertaining without directly | | | | interview. Often if you ask ahead of time the producer |
| pushing your book, product or service. Make the | | | | will record the interview and then you can use it on |
| audience "want more." | | | | your web site. Be sure to listen to it later and critique |
| 15. A kind word about the host can go a long way. It's | | | | your performance. |
| good manners and good business. | | | | 33. Ask for a testimonial. Often that MP3 will arrive |
| 16. A person's name is sweet music to them so | | | | with a note from the host saying how much they |
| commit to memory or jot down the name of the host | | | | enjoyed the interview, or that " Scott Lorenz was a |
| and use it throughout the interview. When taking calls, | | | | great interview, he really kept our audience engaged," |
| use the names of callers too. | | | | or "the phones rang off the hook when Scott Lorenz |
| 17. Be prepared for negative comments, from the host | | | | was being interviewed." You can use those |
| or listeners. | | | | testimonials in future pitches and on your web site, blog |
| 18. Be careful not to slide into techno-babble, jargon or | | | | etc. |
| acronyms that few know about. | | | | Its a good idea to prepare questions for the host to |
| 19. Never talk down to your audience. | | | | use and include those in your press kits emailed to the |
| 20. Be respectful of the host because everybody | | | | stations. Often, the host will read those questions right |
| starts someplace. Today they're interviewing you from | | | | in order since they may not have had a chance to |
| a college radio station; in a few years they could be a | | | | read the book. |
| nationally syndicated host. | | | | Make sure you know your own material inside and out |
| 21. Don't Oversell. Remember you are on the air to | | | | and are comfortable with everything in it. You are the |
| provide useful information to the listening audience. If | | | | author of the book, or the press release and they'll ask |
| you are an author or selling something, limit yourself to | | | | you, "What did you mean about this or that?" You |
| TWO mentions of the book, product or service. You | | | | need to have the answer. You don't want any |
| must make it interesting without the commercialism. It | | | | surprise. That's why as a book publicist I tell my |
| takes finesse but you can do it. Often times the host | | | | authors they must be prepared. |
| will do this for you and you won't need to mention it. | | | | The bottom line, RELAX, you'll do fine. The butterflies |
| 22. Think of a radio interview as an intimate | | | | you're feeling are what will drive you to do your best! |
| conversation with a friend and not a conversation with | | | | Just follow these helpful tips and you'll be a radio |
| thousands. | | | | interview star! |
| 23. Radio interviews require verbal answers, not head | | | | |