| no doubt that talk radio is a great vehicle for | | | | yes, even on radio. |
| authors, because it allows them to give in-depth | | | | Typical errors for first time guests include not |
| answers and puts them in direct communication | | | | giving out the Web site address or 1-800 number, |
| with people who may want to buy their book. | | | | or not giving them out frequently enough. It's also |
| But talk radio is not what it used to be. | | | | a mistake to mention these too often and upset |
| The hosts of major-market radio talk shows with | | | | the host, who will let you know that the show is |
| great audiences used to bring authors into the | | | | not an infomercial. Technical authors have a |
| studio for long chats. An author could knock off a | | | | tendency to slide into techno-babble, and even |
| couple of those interviews and send sales on the | | | | good guests inevitably walk out of their first few |
| way to the top. Those days are gone. Unless an | | | | interviews knowing they could have been better. |
| author is a truly big name, the chances of hitting | | | | When first-time authors make these mistakes |
| pay dirt with a couple of big radio interviews are | | | | (and they will), it is best if huge audiences do not |
| history. | | | | hear the error. |
| The reasons for this are two-fold. First, there are | | | | Booking small stations in quantity to get a high |
| not as many big stations that accept talk show | | | | number of interviews helps you to get the |
| guests - many have gone to a music format or | | | | explanation of your book down to a succinct few |
| no longer accept guests that have a product or | | | | words. Talking with multiple interviewers, even |
| service to sell. Secondly, the amount of time an | | | | though they don't have huge audiences, will enable |
| author will probably be on the air has dwindled. | | | | you to crystallize your thoughts on your book. It |
| Radio talk shows have found that listeners are | | | | may even give you new ideas about your topic |
| more likely to stay tuned if they have 3 | | | | that you never realized before the interviews. |
| 10-minute guests on a show than one guest for | | | | Booking small stations can be also an adventure. |
| 30 minutes. | | | | Be prepared to run into some hosts who are |
| So if you want your book to sell, you now have | | | | unprofessional, and make sure you confirm an |
| to pound the pavement and knock on every | | | | interview at least twice before you will be on the |
| door. | | | | air. Most of these hosts will not be as prepared as |
| Fortunately, in radio publicity, quantity works. | | | | their big-time counterparts (meaning they |
| There are hundreds of radio stations, and book | | | | probably have not read your book), so you'll have |
| authors shouldn't thumb their noses at some of | | | | to be ready to walk them through the major |
| them just because they don't have a hot host or | | | | topics. Prepare for these interviews as though |
| 5,000 watts. Even with a 1000-watt station, you | | | | you have just met someone on the street for |
| are still reaching an audience. Look at it this way. | | | | the first time and you are telling them about your |
| If a 1000-watt radio station has only 100 listeners, | | | | book. |
| you might say it is not worth the trouble. But | | | | But if the hosts are not as prepared as they |
| what if you could go to an auditorium and talk to | | | | should be, you should still be on your toes. Very |
| 100 people about your book? Would you go? Of | | | | bright people listen to some very small radio |
| course you would. Not only that, but small stations | | | | stations; so don't talk down to your audience. |
| allow you to practice for that big interview down | | | | Sorry; nothing will surely save you from the |
| the road. | | | | 1000-watt radio station in Peoria that is being |
| A rookie baseball player doesn't throw his first | | | | hosted by a kid right out of broadcast school. But |
| pitch against the New York Yankees. In print | | | | remember, even that small-time interview may |
| publicity, an author's first interview is rarely with | | | | prepare you for the big time. |
| The New York Times. But an author who has had | | | | Learn about bowhunting elk, bowling tips for |
| an interview with a hometown newspaper and a | | | | beginners and other information at the Knowledge |
| couple of magazines will be more prepared if The | | | | Galaxy site. |
| New York Times does call. | | | | Report this article |
| The Plus Side of Small-Station Bookings | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| It is the same thing with radio. It takes at least 10 | | | | Source: |
| radio interviews before most authors get | | | | Republish this article |
| comfortable behind the microphone. Small power | | | | Ask a Question About this Article |
| radio stations allow you to practice how to be a | | | | >> In your artical you mention honey as a |
| great guest. | | | | sweetner that can help regualate your blood |
| Some people seem born to be great | | | | sugar. Does this apply to any type of honey? |
| communicators but an author's expertise is in the | | | | >> Is Mother Myrick's Bakery still in |
| written word, and it is rare to find a great author | | | | Manchester, Vermont? |
| who is also a great verbal communicator. First | | | | >> Any writers out there that can tell me |
| time authors are especially prone to stage fright - | | | | what 50-50 word count means .??? |