Tune into these tips for your radio interview

Scored a radio interview? #fistpump Good on you! Here are a few tips to get you through:

• Listen to the talk show to get comfortable with the format and the feel.
• Before you go on the air, take a few minutes to focus on what you want to say. Have notes on hand if that gives you confidence, but never read from them, just use them as a guide.
• While you are on the radio to promote your product or service, you must also provide entertaining content for the radio audience. Talk show hosts will seldom invite you back if you just give a sales pitch and don’t have anything interesting to say.
• If possible, get an indication of questions in advance.
• You can speak more clearly and project your voice much better when you stand up. If you’re doing the interview via phone you can do this.
• Hosts value real experiences so use some stories from your own life to embellish your message. If you have experienced a personal struggle or triumph, tell the story and be sure that it is relevant to the topic you are there to talk about.
• Don’t give ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers – always elaborate. But don’t waffle on.
• Take a breath now and then. Make every word count.
• Unless you are a comedian and are known for being funny… don’t try to hard to be funny. A good sense of humor is an asset, however it comes off better if you relax and allow for humor to emerge during your conversation.
• When a host asks you a question and you do not know the answer, it is far better to admit that you do not know than to “make something up” and sound foolish. If this happens, you can respond by saying, “That is a very good question, I’ll have to do a little research on that and let you know”. When you go to a break and the info is close by, get it and let the host know that you have the answer. If the answer is not close by, make a note to remember to send the information to the host after the show is over. This is more acceptable than to “wing it” and look stupid.
• Speak up. Be loud and clear. If you have an accent, it is wise to speak a little slower so as to be clear and easily understood.
• Imagine that you are speaking to only one person when you are on the air. Listeners listen that way. Be conversational. Be a friend of the host and the listeners.
• When you hear the music come up when you are talking, that means the break is coming up or the end of the show is near. That is the time you want to bring your comments to a quick close. It is wise to have a few brief sentences that you have rehearsed well with which to close.
• Remember to tell clients in the station’s listening area to listen to your interview.

• interview
• media interview
• radio
• radio interview

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