Most of you who are reading this article probably have never stood in front of a microphone and can't believe they will be chosen for an interview on radio or TV.
Admittedly, unless you are fortunate enough to have a local TV station, chances are your appearances, at least early-on, will be limited to radio. But with the ever-increasing influence talk radio has had on syndicated shows and on Web radio, opportunities to reach large audiences are easily available to you.
Making It Easy
One of the great benefits of talk radio is the fact that you do not have to be present in the studio to be interviewed. Most shows are either taped or performed live with the interviewee sitting at a telephone at home possibly still dressed in his/her pajamas. The one major caveat is do not use a cell phone for this purpose. A landline is much clearer and reduces the possibility that connections will be lost.
Start small by booking interviews with small, local talk shows. These will introduce you to the medium, and will give you the opportunity to hone your broadcast skills as you climb up the ladder to larger local shows, then to regionals and finally to some of the bigger syndicated shows that have a national reach.
Don't dismiss these smaller local broadcasts. Many success stories have started on one of them. Producers of larger shows often listen to them in the car or elsewhere in an attempt to find new talent to interview on their show.
Also be alert to stations or niche talk shows that concentrate heavily on your special subject. Finding a program that targets your niche audience is far more effective than using a larger station with many more listeners, most of whom are not particularly interested in your topic.
Preparing for the Interview
It is always wise to try and listen to several editions of the show on which you are booked. That way you can get a far better sense of its format and the style of the program host. It will help you create a list of potential questions that you might be asked. That will help you plan answers that are relevant, intelligent and to the point. This exercise will make you much more comfortable when the actual interview begins.
If you haven't been booked, the exercise is extremely beneficial because it will help you frame a meaningful letter with precise points about which you are able to talk effectively. That kind of professionalism will impress the producer. You may want to present the topics as individual bulleted points.
Many authors submit a Press Kit along with the cover letter, and include the list of talking points. You will be surprised to find how many hosts actually use your listing as the guide for the interview. That is particularly true when you stress the way in which the show's listeners will benefit from what you say. Producers and hosts also appreciate a author who speaks passionately about the subjects he/she writes on.
On Air
It is extremely helpful if you are able to hire a professional media trainer before you begin broadcasting. However, they usually are expensive and many authors simply train themselves by continuously practicing until the subject is second nature and they are able to speak fluently and without hesitation on it. That way you avoid wandering off point or hesitating before you answer. Performing in front of a mirror is very helpful if you are headed to a TV interview.
When you go on air, it is important to recognize that listeners are far more interested in you than they are in the book you have written. As an author of a book they have read or one they have heard about, they want to learn who you are and what you think about many different issues.
Don't overwhelm, the listener with talk about your book. Of course, you should mention the book from time to time, but wherever possible, do it obliquely. You don't want the interview to sound like a sales pitch. More than that, a good host will cut you off if you dwell too much on praises of your work.
A number of studies have demonstrated that listeners tend to buy your book if they like you as an individual. So if you sell anything, sell yourself by offering crisp, meaningful answers delivered with a real sense of confidence. Not cocky. Not boastful. Just self-assured.
After the Interview
Be certain to thank the host when the interview ends. Send a note of thanks to the host and one to the producer who arranged the interview. Radio personnel frequently socialize and talk about their experiences. There's a good chance you may be touted to another host or producer, if you spoke well and left graciously. At the very least, you might even be invited back again.
So you see, the microphone is not a fearsome machine. If you prepare adequately and practice what you plan to say, your performance will be relaxed, light and informative. It's just that easy to take advantage of this superb promotional tool.
View more than 60 free, informative articles written by author and editor Charles Jacobs. They'll help you write, publish and promote your books. Find them on his new website http://www.wisewriter.com. Read his widely-heralded book "The Writer Within You," named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR seven times and a gold and bronze medal winner.
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