My aim when working with my clients is to coach them so that they will be in-demand talk show guests who will be invited back again and again. I have developed a few key rules to guide my clients. I hope you will find them helpful.
1) Whenever possible, conduct your interview from a land line phone. Never, ever use a cell phone – unless there is no other option. Show hosts detest cell phones.
Please contact me separately about Skype interviews.
2) If you have call waiting, deactivate it before the interview.
a) If you are calling in to the station, press *70 before the call. (You will hear two quick beats, then the dial tone.)
b) If the station calls you, ask for a moment to deactivate call waiting. Press FLASH, then *70. (Again, you’ll get two quick beats, then the dial tone.)
3) Make sure you’ve prepared some Questions and Answers for your interviewer. Remember, most hosts will not have read your book, so this step is crucial. During the interview, have your Q&As in front of you, along with a “cheat sheet.” On each, write the name of your host/interviewer, so it will be foremost in your mind. Don’t use his or her name with every answer, but do use it liberally.
NOTE: During my coaching sessions, I help my author/clients to prepare Q&As and a Cheat Sheet.
5) Always talk directly and personally to the host, but be aware that there are a lot of listeners, too. So,
a) Use the host’s name often (but not constantly), and
b) Periodically, throw in a sentence like, “I’m not sure how many of your listeners know this, but. . . .” OR “I’m sure lots of your listeners have had this experience.”
6) Remember, you are having a CONVERSATION with the host. So, make sure you don’t hog the microphone. If you are telling a LONG story (for instance, giving your background about how you decided to write your book), be sure to modulate your voice AND don’t talk too quickly.)
7) At various times during the interview, give your email address, so that audience members can contact you. (“If you’d like a copy of my ____s, please write to me at ____@____.com.” )
8) Mention something special your listeners can get by going to your website – for instance, a free article.
9) Don’t mention your book with every sentence, but do mention it. If you play your cards right, your host will do your promotion for you.
10) Most important, have FUN!
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