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Book Promotion: 10 Tips

For nearly two decades, we’ve been telling you about the value of talk radio as a means for promoting your book to the masses. As one of the country’s top providers of radio shows around the country, we schedule anywhere from 50 to 100 interviews week in and week out. As a result of our close working relationship with the media, we know what works and what doesn’t. Because we want you to succeed with talk radio, here are ten new “inside” tips to help you become the kind of guest every host wants to have on his or her show:

1. Be confident. Present yourself and your message with confidence. Be sure of yourself and know your topic inside and out. Try not to sound shaky or insecure about what you have to say. If you project an air of confidence, you’ll sound more credible to listeners and you’ll be perceived as an expert in your field.

2. Make sure you present information that is valuable for the audience. When preparing for your interview, ask yourself: “What about my message will interest the listening audience?” If the information you impart is valuable, listeners will be more likely to stay tuned to the show. Don’t forget that it’s the host’s job to keep his audience tuned in. If it’s clear that the audience is being stimulated by your information, the host may want to keep you around for more segments or even ask to have you on again.

3. Be warm. Make an effort to sound warm and personable. Projecting warmth to the audience will make them more likely to stay tuned in. If you come across as cold and detached, listeners may “detach” themselves from your message and switch to another station.

4. Be prepared for confrontation. Be ready to deal with negative comments from hosts and possibly even callers. Be careful not get into a screaming match with the host. It’s his show and he will always have the last say. You will earn the respect of listeners (and maybe even the combative host) if you remain firm but polite. Simply acknowledge what he has to say and move on with your message.

5. Don’t come across like an infomercial. While you certainly want the listeners to know how they can purchase your book, product or service, you don’t want to sound overly pushy or you may end up offending the host. Concentrate on being an informative and entertaining guest. The host understands why you are on the air and if you entertain his audience, he will gladly endorse your product or service.

6. Don’t be too wordy. While you certainly want to communicate your main points to the audience, you want to make sure that they are short and succinct like sound bites. By succinctly presenting your message, you stand a better chance of having the audience remember your message.

7. Learn everything you can about the show before your interview. Check out a station’s website prior to your interview. If there is any way to listen to the show online or live on the air, do that as well. By familiarizing yourself with the host and the show, you’ll be better prepared for your interview. You’ll know if he is right-wing or left-wing, excited or relaxed, friendly or combative, etc. By learning what the show and its audience is all about, you’ll be able to tailor your message so that it is widely accepted by the host and his listeners.

8. Compliment the host. Go out of your way to be complimentary of hosts and producers. If a host asks you a particularly good, tough or welcome question, thank him for it. Whenever the opportunity arises, make sure to compliment the host on his show. This helps to cultivate good feelings between you and a host. It’s simply good manners. If the host really likes you, you may get a hearty plug at the conclusion of your interview.

9. Remember names. Before your interview, write down the host’s name and use it frequently throughout the show. Additionally, when taking calls from listeners, always write down the first name of the caller and use it when possible. This makes the interview more personal and intimate. Listeners will be more likely to develop an affinity for you and will be more engaged with you and your topic.

10. Be punctual. Punctuality helps to immediately establish a friendly rapport with the host or producer of the talk show. If the station is calling you, make sure that you keep your line clear and stay by the phone. If you are scheduled to call station, make sure to be on-time or you run the risk of your interview being canceled.

Remember---your intention for every interview is to enlighten the listening audience about your book and interest them in purchasing it.

If you would like to hear more about talk radio and how it can help you successfully promote your book, call me or my husband Steve at 727-443-7115, ext. 208. Nothing beats a real-life conversation!

Call today – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Warmest Regards,

Marsha Friedman, President

EMSI
1127 Grove Street
Clearwater, FL 33755
727-443-7115 ext. 208
727-443-0835 fax
mfriedman@event-management.com
http://www.event-management.com


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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