Perhaps you are an artist or an author, maybe you are selling a service or a product or you have planned a conference, concert or some event. What do you all have in common? You all are trying to advertise and draw attention to your event, product or service.
Here are suggestions for you to use when pursuing radio interviews (whether that is traditional radio OR internet radio):
1) Have a good online presence!
You MUST have web presence which should include an official website or blog. You should also have a Facebook page. There are over 600 million people on Facebook and in many cases people (i.e. Radio show producers) will look you up on Facebook.
Why is web presence important? TV & Radio producers search Google to find show topics and guests…So you could be found online by someone important. In addition, if you are reaching out to radio stations for interviews, you better believe that they are researching you and your product online!
2) Smile! You're on candid camera!
In conjuction with your web presence, please have a current, professional, digital pictures taken. This should not be some dusty scanned in picture! It makes a huge difference and gives you a certain "presence". Remember, with radio we only have your voice and your picture to go by!
3) Have a "packaged story".
What do I mean by this… Remember that there are several authors, artists, conference hosts and etc. but what makes you different? How can you tie into a BIGGER topic and package your product or service with that topic? Radio listeners want to hear something intriguing and engaging.
For example: Lets say you have a "Praise and Worship" CD out. Instead of asking to do an interview about your new CD, how people can purchase it and where your next gig is, you could package a story about "the role of praise and worship in ministry" and then tie in your CD project. That makes for a more intriguing interview…
I also recommend that you prepare "proposed" guestions for the interview. (Rule of thumb; 10 questions per every 10-15 minutes on air).
4) Just ask!
When contacting a radio station, radio show host or radio show producer...make a simple request for an interview. Don't beat around the bush or write a 3 paragraph email before you ask for the interveiw. Just ask!
It frustrates media professionals when we have to figure out what you are requesting. Your request should include what you have to share with the listeners.
There are thousands of internet radio shows that will afford you the opportunity to be interviewed. I recommend going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ and search the shows that match your product or services. Contact the host and request an interview!
That's it for now… more to come…
Sharvette Mitchell
Mitchell Productions, LLC
http://www.sharvette.com/
"The Sharvette Mitchell Radio Show"
www.BlogTalkRadioShow.com/Mitchell-Productions
