Small Biz Pr Tips
12
Ready for your close-up? Tips for getting booked (and re-booked) on radio and television
From day one I’ve had some basic rules for getting booked on my show Small Business Forum Radio www.blogtalkradio.com/tonywilkins . These rules are generally sent in two separate e-mails; the first upon booking the guest and the second as a confirmation. Since my show is a call in show both e-mails will include the following.
1. Call in number
2. Web address
3. How to listen to the show online
4. And any other pertinent information including what not to do.
This topic got me to thinking about my own experience with getting booked on shows as well as booking guests for my own show. Let’s call them the Ten (plus) commandments of Media Bookings
Okay so here are some tips for anyone asked to be a guest on a radio/TV show.
1.If the producer/host specifically asks that you not send tips/topics etc. Please adhere to that. It's annoying to receive suggestions 3 hours before a show not to mention disrespectful to the producer's time. Most of us like to formulate our own questions before hand. Personally I prefer researching and writing my questions a week prior to the show so that I feel prepared. I generally will go off script but it helps me to stay focused.
2.Don’t ask to pre-approve the questions before hand unless the producer has stated he will send questions ahead of time. My show format is pretty conversational and there are some celebs that will want to pre approve any and all questions -which generally is left up to the discretion of the booker/producer. If I were interviewing celebs on a regular basis I might reconsider (question approval) but I’m not and I don’t. My guests (for the most part) are business owners and to be honest I don’t have time for them to pre -approve my questions. If they aren’t comfortable with that then I might suggest getting booked on another show.
3.Most producers will send a reminder about a week prior to the show. Please mark your calendars. Producers don't have time to follow-up with a phone call an e-mail.
4. Everyone gets nervous before an interview so make sure to have 5-6points to get across to the audience. Doing so will help alleviate any nervousness.
5.Converse. Remember you're just having a conversation. Share what you know.
6. Don't book yourself on a show and then state the following...
A. I had technical difficulties and couldn't call in/show up.
B. I forgot. Can we book a show at my convenience”?
Things come up and I completely understand re-booking if necessary. If it's not important enough for you to remember to call in; then it's not important enough for me to re-book you. I book someone once and if they don’t show up or follow up with a reasonable excuse; I generally won’t re-book them. Not to sound arrogant but there is a reason my show has a six month waiting list.
7.Don't try and control the interview. When you get your own show you can control the direction of the interview.
8.Call in or show up on time. Dead air makes both you and the host look unprofessional.
Get the word out about your work!
Red Hot right Now!!!!
Public relation campaigns for small business. Getting the word out via social media isn't just for large corporations anymore. More and more owners of growing businesses are using both social media and pr firms to promote their work.