11 Ways to Prepare for a Remote Radio Interview

You’ve spent many hours pouring your heart and life into your book, and now it’s time to share it. Sharing your book through a radio interview can be one of the most exciting ways to promote your message and reach huge audiences.

However, before you can appear on a radio program you have to be invited, and this can be tough without a publicist. Do you have one?

The broadcast media expect potential guests to be represented by a third party; therefore, working with a publicist is a wise decision. Publicists have working relationships with producers and hosts and can help land those interviews that might not otherwise happen.

As one author recently thumbed through a magazine, he ran across an ad for an internationally-syndicated radio show. He wondered how to get on this program. His publicist, in the meantime, was already working with this host to schedule an appearance. This author was delighted and had a great interview!

Once your publicist books a radio interview for you, it’s time to start preparing. Most radio interviews are done remotely, meaning that the host calls you at your home and you do the interview over the phone.

DAYS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

1. Know your listeners. Visit the station’s Web site and check their listener demographics. Be sure to check demographics for the specific show on which you will be a guest.
2. Know what time zone your host is in. There’s nothing worse than planning for an 8 a.m. interview, only to discover that the host meant 8 a.m. Eastern time, instead of Pacific time.
3. Practice responding to interview questions. Most hosts will ask you the questions from your media kit, but some like to get creative. Be prepared for anything and everything (including controversial questions intended to goad you).
4. Critique yourself. Tape yourself answering the questions and listen to it. You might be surprised at how monotone your voice can sound instead of enthusiastic and excited.
5. Be flexible and understanding. Sometimes hosts must reschedule.

MINUTES BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

1. Turn off call waiting. You don’t need your mother calling during the middle of an interview.
2. Turn off or silence other noise-makers (clocks, cell phones, computers, small children, barking dogs).
3. Suck on a cough drop 15 minutes before your interview begins.
4. Keep a glass of water handy. You will inevitably get a tickle in your throat. Avoid taking a sip when you’re on the air – that’s what commercial breaks are for.
5. Remove jewelry. These items could cause background noise.
6. Close the door so you don’t get distracted.

In next week’s post, I’ll give you more tips about how to deliver a bang-up on-air interview.

As a member of WinePress’ Publicity department, Robyn Williams’ goal is to help authors promote their message and make media contacts. She loves getting to know authors, learning why they wrote their books, and helping them share their stories.

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