Archived Editorial for 01/15/06

Hot Tips On How To Get On Talk Radio
from Marsha Friedman

If you're hoping to turn your book into a sensation you can't afford to overlook talk radio. Your book isn't going to sell itself, so you need to do everything you can to get the word out. By generating word-of-mouth on talk radio shows around the country, you can create that all-important buzz that can transform your book into a bona fide hit.

Experienced publishers & best-selling authors know that talk radio is the best medium for selling books.& as one of the top providers of talk radio guests in the country, Event Management.com gets asked all the time for tips on getting booked as a guest. Here are a few helpful tips for those of you looking to book yourselves into this medium:

HOT TIP #1 The first thing you have to do is continuously follow the news. Study the different media outlets & find out what people are buzzing about. Watch the network & cable news channels, scan the newspapers, look at news websites on-line, & most importantly, make sure you monitor the talk radio landscape. Take some time to listen to local & national talk shows & hear what they’re talking about. Get a read on the pulse of the public. This research will help you develop a relevant message that people will be interested in hearing.

HOT TIP #2 As you follow the news, pay close attention to the hot stories. Think about ways that you can tie these issues into the message of your book. Perhaps it tackles the same subject or shares geographic similarities. Perhaps the message of your book ties in with a controversy of some kind. Controversy is always tantalizing to talk radio show hosts. If you can develop a good angle that's newsworthy, you can even get on the air with a fiction book. Remember all the buzz about Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code?

HOT TIP #3 As you develop your message, keep in mind that radio hosts don't want to do infomercials. When pitching to hosts & producers, be careful not to pitch yourself or your book too heavily. Instead, present yourself as an expert on a hot issue. Put the emphasis of your pitch on the issue, not on your book. The fact that you've authored a book, makes you that much more credible as an expert guest. Don't worry, once you're on the air, hosts will give you an opportunity to plug your book during the interview - especially because of the credibility factor.

HOT TIP #4 Possibly the most important part of getting yourself booked onto talk radio is the actual press release. One of the reasons we've been so successful in the talk radio business is the quality of our radio pitches. Hosts & producers will want to see your pitch before they schedule an interview, so make sure your headline entices them & grabs their attention. In the text of your release, elaborate on the subject matter, & it's always good to include a couple of juicy or provocative quotes. Also include a short bio, & 5 or 10 questions you would like the host to ask you.

These tips should help you get jump-started into the world of talk radio. If you need help, feel free to contact me at www.event-management.com, & tell me you're from Rebeccasreads.

Good luck!

Marsha Friedman