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2 days ago
Monday, June 30, 2014
Talk Radio Advocate
Talk Radio Advocate is designed to record news of radio shows, both terrestrial and Internet - changes, good and bad news, for the benefit of hosts and radio guests.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Guest Post
Barry Eva is author of "Across the Pond" and "The Bathroom Book of Romance"
(Book Site: http://romance2read.com).
Host of "A Book and a Chat" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond
Radio Blog: http://abookandachat.blogspot.com
Company Site: http://barryeva.com
Amazon Reviews: http://tinyurl.com/o7sokp
Back in February 2009, after appearing on a few radio shows with my own YA novel “Across the Pond”, and with experience of running a couple of local TV shows narrating stories from my romance book as well as filming local karaoke, I thought… why not try your own radio show. Loving a good old “chin wag” as we say in England I thought it might be good fun, little did I know just how much.
Here we are a four years on and almost 700 shows later and my show is still hitting the airwaves three to four times a week, proving it even more popular than I ever expected, and I love every minute of it…well almost.
My show I called “A Book and a Chat” which is basically what it is, anybody who knows me will tell you I am no literary person, I am not one who goes into styles of writing etc, I just love to sit and have chat, learn something and hopefully have some fun at the same time. As the show description goes…
"A Book and a Chat" has proved a hugely popular radio program with people of all ages. With almost seven hundred shows already recorded, Barry's format of "a chat over a cup of tea" has received nothing but rave reviews from guest and listeners alike. The writer of a successful young adult romance book "Across the Pond" Barry has himself appeared on a large number of radio and TV programs. "A Book and a Chat" is a program for writers, readers and bloggers, not so much a literary show, more like... let’s sit around have a cup of tea and a few laughs." - Read what the guests are saying about the show at
http://storyheart52.wordpress.com/a-book-and-a-chat-blog-radio-show
I am very proud of the many, many comments I have received from guests, nearly all love the style and many have come back for a second third, fourth, fifth or in one case eighth time.
Firstly, if you are going to appear on the show, here are some “Does and Don’ts”
Radio Shows:
1: Don’t get overcharged
Appearing on internet Radio Shows is a way to get your name and that of your book to a worldwide audience, there are many radio shows around the blogosphere, but be careful. I have read that some promotion companies are charging a lot of money (sometimes over $100) for a 15 minute interview, sometimes for which you are one of several guests.
Some shows are sponsored and are able to produce a show free of charge, though having to stop every five minutes for an advert might not be everybody’s style.
I used to say check “Blog Talk Radio” for free however in 2011 they changed their format and now even I have to often charge a small fee. I have tried to keep my shows free, however last year Blog Talk Radio started charging for shows in “prime time” or lasting more than thirty minutes. This has meant in many cases I’ve asked for a small donation of $10 for a first time guest, after that I don’t charge for subsequent visits. Luckily from September 2014 the show now has a sponsor in the form of “The Atwater Group”.
I have always prided myself in producing a good show and unlike many other hosts doing it for free, just to put on one show normally takes about 3/4hrs of my time we pre work and post blogging etc.
I don’t ask for a copy of the guests book, and any I receive I donate to local libraries, or this year towards a charity auction at my work, so I guess the cost is less than a copy of the book, and I really hate to make this charge, but unfortunately I am being forced to do so to keep the shows running.
2: Make sure the show is the right format for you
There are plenty of different shows and formats out there for you to appear on, some have multiple guests appearing in a general discussion type of show, others as with “A Book and a Chat” are one to one.
Some shows are very “Into writing” and go into the literary styles, format, dropping the names of their own books. Others, such as my own show “A Book and a Chat” are a lot more laid back. As I advertise… “Not a literary show, more like... let’s sit around have a chat over a cup of tea…”
Listen to a few previous shows and make sure the show is a format you will enjoy being part of.
3: Is the show still running?
It’s amazing how many advertised radio shows when you check them out you find they might now have taken place for several months. Look for a regular show that already has a following.
4: Request an appearance ahead of time.
It’s no use in most radio shows contacting the host a week or two before your book comes out and you want to appear. I for one normally book up two to three months ahead if not longer. If there is a very interesting late request I do sometimes try and add an extra show, but as they say on the TV, “Book early to avoid disappointment”.
5: Contact the host beforehand
Contact the hosts to see if there is anything they want from you. Some hosts require copies of the books before a guest appears on their show. I don’t do that; I would never get a chance to read a fraction of them, however if I do kindly receive a copy I will always forward it to a local library etc.. hey you never know it’s another way to help get the guest name out there.
Ask if the host wants you to read from your book
Some show hosts provide questions that they will ask during the show; if this is the case be ready to provide answers and if possible interesting answers, I always believe a chuckle or two can only help market your book. If like my own show- it’s more freestyle - have a couple of notes about your book, answers to possible questions, a story or two always helps, and don’t forget to mention the name of your work as often as possible.
6: On the Day of the show
Some shows require you to be in a recording studio, others like my own you just dial into a number which the host will supply and chat for however long the show lasts.
Make sure you have the correct number and time zone! Despite putting this in bold type in my show instruction it’s amazing how many there still are who do not read that the show is EST and arrive two or three hours late for the show.
If the show starts to lag and yes there are a few hosts out there that seem to struggle with some guests, be prepared if need be “take over” the show a little perhaps even ask the host a question.
7: Advertise
Before and after the show, advertise share it with your social network, link the show to your web pages etc. I for one always offer my guest not only links to the show but an mp3 file of the show that they can use.
8: Follow Up
It is always nice as a show host to receive an email from your guest, even if it’s just a few lines. I am still in contact with many of my previous guests; some have been on the show seven or eight times now.
9: Follow Up Information
It still amazes me how there are still authors that do not have a presence on the internet. If you do not have a web site, and to be honest these days setting up a basic web site is easy and inexpensive, at least have a blog with your book details.
Minimum should be, a brief bio on the author, synopsis of the book, where it can be purchased, how to contact the author. There needs to be some way of providing more information to follow up an appearance.
9: Enjoy Yourself
Above all, don’t worry, enjoy yourself, it’s your book let the world hear how proud you are of it and what a great piece of work you have produced.
During the almost seven hundred shows I’ve learnt many things, met some wonderful people and laughed a lot. I can honestly say there has only been one show I struggled with, and that was one of the early shows when I had a guest who had written a book about banking and high finance. I asked him one question and then could not get a word in for the next 25 minutes not understanding half of what my guest was talking about.
I have had some very famous guests on the show during these last two years from Emmy award winners such as Louise Shaffer, to authors such as Steve Berry who have 72 million copies in print throughout the world. I love to involve the YA Bloggers, as I call them the “Sham Wow” of YA literature as they soak everything up. I have made it a point to include bloggers as guests on the show as well as many debut authors. After all, they might be debut authors today but they could be the stars of tomorrow. The Class of 2K10, 2K11, 2K1 and now 2K13 YA debut authors are always great to have on the show, and it’s been fun to follow their rise to “fame and fortune” (okay we can dream).
There are a few drawbacks in having what sometimes has been five shows a week, the jokes and anecdotes tend to repeat themselves, but I always try and make the chat flow and love to laugh as anybody who has listened will tell you. Many guests are what can only be described as “scared” when they first call in and we chat before the show starts, but as I say to them, it’s honestly just a chat over a cup of tea (in my case English PG Tips), and so many have told me afterwards how much they enjoyed the easy going format and style, that they were completely at ease.
I love the various styles that can appear on the show, learning about people’s fights over illness and abuse, historical novels about periods in history, Leaning about floods, disasters, love and laughter, the eclectic mix of shows not only keeps me looking forward each week to the next show but I hope my listeners as well. I have made many friends along the way, learned many things about the art of writing as well as telling a good story.
One good sign as to how the show is being enjoyed is the way the time seems to rush by for all over them, this I very soon realized and started running some “one hour specials”, which again people have enjoyed.
I have in the last four years covered subjects from abuse to life coaching, from Picture books to historical fiction. I have within a three day period covered a multi-million selling author such as Steve Berry, to William Link whose name might not be one you remember straight away until you realize he and his late writing partner wrote all the Colombo series, Murder She wrote and so much more. To be followed by a local author who had written some small books of stories about famous horses which were being sold on local “tack” shops.
During this last few years I’ve had on my show Werewolf’s (yes really) to film stars, multi selling authors to ones with their first book, abuse to humor, peoples to pets, tears to laugher I’ve seen had them all on A Book and a Chat” and hope to have many more over the shows yet to come.
(Book Site: http://romance2read.com).
Host of "A Book and a Chat" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond
Radio Blog: http://abookandachat.blogspot.com
Company Site: http://barryeva.com
Amazon Reviews: http://tinyurl.com/o7sokp
Back in February 2009, after appearing on a few radio shows with my own YA novel “Across the Pond”, and with experience of running a couple of local TV shows narrating stories from my romance book as well as filming local karaoke, I thought… why not try your own radio show. Loving a good old “chin wag” as we say in England I thought it might be good fun, little did I know just how much.
Here we are a four years on and almost 700 shows later and my show is still hitting the airwaves three to four times a week, proving it even more popular than I ever expected, and I love every minute of it…well almost.
My show I called “A Book and a Chat” which is basically what it is, anybody who knows me will tell you I am no literary person, I am not one who goes into styles of writing etc, I just love to sit and have chat, learn something and hopefully have some fun at the same time. As the show description goes…
"A Book and a Chat" has proved a hugely popular radio program with people of all ages. With almost seven hundred shows already recorded, Barry's format of "a chat over a cup of tea" has received nothing but rave reviews from guest and listeners alike. The writer of a successful young adult romance book "Across the Pond" Barry has himself appeared on a large number of radio and TV programs. "A Book and a Chat" is a program for writers, readers and bloggers, not so much a literary show, more like... let’s sit around have a cup of tea and a few laughs." - Read what the guests are saying about the show at
http://storyheart52.wordpress.com/a-book-and-a-chat-blog-radio-show
I am very proud of the many, many comments I have received from guests, nearly all love the style and many have come back for a second third, fourth, fifth or in one case eighth time.
Firstly, if you are going to appear on the show, here are some “Does and Don’ts”
Radio Shows:
1: Don’t get overcharged
Appearing on internet Radio Shows is a way to get your name and that of your book to a worldwide audience, there are many radio shows around the blogosphere, but be careful. I have read that some promotion companies are charging a lot of money (sometimes over $100) for a 15 minute interview, sometimes for which you are one of several guests.
Some shows are sponsored and are able to produce a show free of charge, though having to stop every five minutes for an advert might not be everybody’s style.
I used to say check “Blog Talk Radio” for free however in 2011 they changed their format and now even I have to often charge a small fee. I have tried to keep my shows free, however last year Blog Talk Radio started charging for shows in “prime time” or lasting more than thirty minutes. This has meant in many cases I’ve asked for a small donation of $10 for a first time guest, after that I don’t charge for subsequent visits. Luckily from September 2014 the show now has a sponsor in the form of “The Atwater Group”.
I have always prided myself in producing a good show and unlike many other hosts doing it for free, just to put on one show normally takes about 3/4hrs of my time we pre work and post blogging etc.
I don’t ask for a copy of the guests book, and any I receive I donate to local libraries, or this year towards a charity auction at my work, so I guess the cost is less than a copy of the book, and I really hate to make this charge, but unfortunately I am being forced to do so to keep the shows running.
2: Make sure the show is the right format for you
There are plenty of different shows and formats out there for you to appear on, some have multiple guests appearing in a general discussion type of show, others as with “A Book and a Chat” are one to one.
Some shows are very “Into writing” and go into the literary styles, format, dropping the names of their own books. Others, such as my own show “A Book and a Chat” are a lot more laid back. As I advertise… “Not a literary show, more like... let’s sit around have a chat over a cup of tea…”
Listen to a few previous shows and make sure the show is a format you will enjoy being part of.
3: Is the show still running?
It’s amazing how many advertised radio shows when you check them out you find they might now have taken place for several months. Look for a regular show that already has a following.
4: Request an appearance ahead of time.
It’s no use in most radio shows contacting the host a week or two before your book comes out and you want to appear. I for one normally book up two to three months ahead if not longer. If there is a very interesting late request I do sometimes try and add an extra show, but as they say on the TV, “Book early to avoid disappointment”.
5: Contact the host beforehand
Contact the hosts to see if there is anything they want from you. Some hosts require copies of the books before a guest appears on their show. I don’t do that; I would never get a chance to read a fraction of them, however if I do kindly receive a copy I will always forward it to a local library etc.. hey you never know it’s another way to help get the guest name out there.
Ask if the host wants you to read from your book
Some show hosts provide questions that they will ask during the show; if this is the case be ready to provide answers and if possible interesting answers, I always believe a chuckle or two can only help market your book. If like my own show- it’s more freestyle - have a couple of notes about your book, answers to possible questions, a story or two always helps, and don’t forget to mention the name of your work as often as possible.
6: On the Day of the show
Some shows require you to be in a recording studio, others like my own you just dial into a number which the host will supply and chat for however long the show lasts.
Make sure you have the correct number and time zone! Despite putting this in bold type in my show instruction it’s amazing how many there still are who do not read that the show is EST and arrive two or three hours late for the show.
If the show starts to lag and yes there are a few hosts out there that seem to struggle with some guests, be prepared if need be “take over” the show a little perhaps even ask the host a question.
7: Advertise
Before and after the show, advertise share it with your social network, link the show to your web pages etc. I for one always offer my guest not only links to the show but an mp3 file of the show that they can use.
8: Follow Up
It is always nice as a show host to receive an email from your guest, even if it’s just a few lines. I am still in contact with many of my previous guests; some have been on the show seven or eight times now.
9: Follow Up Information
It still amazes me how there are still authors that do not have a presence on the internet. If you do not have a web site, and to be honest these days setting up a basic web site is easy and inexpensive, at least have a blog with your book details.
Minimum should be, a brief bio on the author, synopsis of the book, where it can be purchased, how to contact the author. There needs to be some way of providing more information to follow up an appearance.
9: Enjoy Yourself
Above all, don’t worry, enjoy yourself, it’s your book let the world hear how proud you are of it and what a great piece of work you have produced.
During the almost seven hundred shows I’ve learnt many things, met some wonderful people and laughed a lot. I can honestly say there has only been one show I struggled with, and that was one of the early shows when I had a guest who had written a book about banking and high finance. I asked him one question and then could not get a word in for the next 25 minutes not understanding half of what my guest was talking about.
I have had some very famous guests on the show during these last two years from Emmy award winners such as Louise Shaffer, to authors such as Steve Berry who have 72 million copies in print throughout the world. I love to involve the YA Bloggers, as I call them the “Sham Wow” of YA literature as they soak everything up. I have made it a point to include bloggers as guests on the show as well as many debut authors. After all, they might be debut authors today but they could be the stars of tomorrow. The Class of 2K10, 2K11, 2K1 and now 2K13 YA debut authors are always great to have on the show, and it’s been fun to follow their rise to “fame and fortune” (okay we can dream).
There are a few drawbacks in having what sometimes has been five shows a week, the jokes and anecdotes tend to repeat themselves, but I always try and make the chat flow and love to laugh as anybody who has listened will tell you. Many guests are what can only be described as “scared” when they first call in and we chat before the show starts, but as I say to them, it’s honestly just a chat over a cup of tea (in my case English PG Tips), and so many have told me afterwards how much they enjoyed the easy going format and style, that they were completely at ease.
I love the various styles that can appear on the show, learning about people’s fights over illness and abuse, historical novels about periods in history, Leaning about floods, disasters, love and laughter, the eclectic mix of shows not only keeps me looking forward each week to the next show but I hope my listeners as well. I have made many friends along the way, learned many things about the art of writing as well as telling a good story.
One good sign as to how the show is being enjoyed is the way the time seems to rush by for all over them, this I very soon realized and started running some “one hour specials”, which again people have enjoyed.
I have in the last four years covered subjects from abuse to life coaching, from Picture books to historical fiction. I have within a three day period covered a multi-million selling author such as Steve Berry, to William Link whose name might not be one you remember straight away until you realize he and his late writing partner wrote all the Colombo series, Murder She wrote and so much more. To be followed by a local author who had written some small books of stories about famous horses which were being sold on local “tack” shops.
During this last few years I’ve had on my show Werewolf’s (yes really) to film stars, multi selling authors to ones with their first book, abuse to humor, peoples to pets, tears to laugher I’ve seen had them all on A Book and a Chat” and hope to have many more over the shows yet to come.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Guest Post
Putting a Radio Show Together
By Irene Conlan
I had never considered hosting a radio show until my son came home one day with the announcement, "Mom, you're going to do a radio show!" After a good bit of thought and a lot of trepidation, I agreed. I had started The Self Improvement Blog in 2007 so a show on self improvement seemed to be a good choice for a topic. The blog and the show together could offer a "double whammy." I was asked to put thirteen shows together as a starter and the first show aired on November 4, 2010.
This is me, three years and a hundred and seventy shows later, loving my job as host of The Self Improvement Show.
What do I love about it? Well, a lot of things, but I am blown away by my guests, their stories, their accomplishments and their triumphs, and I now have friends all over the world. In the beginning I didn't know where to find guests—that was the scary part. Francine Silverman came to my rescue a couple of times, helping me fill in some of those early gaps. Now I am booked six months in advance and have a waiting list of people who will come at a moment's notice. Gotta love it!
For me, the show is serious business. I want to showcase my guest and also make it fun for my guest and listeners. If I'm not prepared, the show won't be successful much less fun. I think each host needs to find what works best for them and their particular outreach. In the beginning there was a lot of trial and error (mostly a lot of error). After a few months I developed a routine that I follow and I'll share it with you so you have some idea what goes into preparing for a show. Keep in mind that each host is unique and does it in a way that works for him/her.
Once the guest and I have agreed on a date, here's what I do to get it ready for the air:
• I gather the needed information to put the show together—most of it supplied by the guest or their PR firm. It includes:
Contact information (we broadcast live via phone or Skype)
A bio
A headshot
Questions they want me to be sure to ask..(I formulate my own questions but I want their input as well.)
• Most of my guests have written a book so I do a book review. Yes, I read the book from cover to cover and post a review on my blog, Amazon.com and other sites that take book reviews.
• I do an extensive search of the Internet, including YouTube and Vimeo, to find any information I can about my guest. By the time the show airs I know them well.
• I write a brief biography and a description of the show. Based on this information, VoiceAmerica prepares an e-card which I send to the guest and/or their PR firm to e-mail to their lists. I send it to my list also.
• On the Sunday before the show I post their picture, bio and a description of the show on The Self Improvement Blog. I will also post any videos that are available—up to three. All this stays up until the following Sunday when I post information about the next guest.
• A day or two before the show, I write my introduction and formulate the questions.
• On the day of the show I post the book review, Tweet, and post an article either written by the guest or pertaining to the topic of the day. Then I relax so I can enjoy the show, too.
• The day following the show I send the guest a link to the show that they can use on their website, blog or newsletter if they wish to do so.
• Their show is automatically played on the home page of my blog and remains there for the week.
• I listen to every show to see how I can improve. I'm still working hard to remove any "ums" and "you knows" from my vocabulary and it's proving to be an uphill battle.
• As soon as last week's show is "put to bed" I start working on next week's show.
While I certainly don't consider myself a professional show host, I know I bring value to both my guest and my listeners. I had no idea it would take this much time and effort, but would I do it again? Absolutely! If you have any thought of doing a radio show, DO IT. If I can, you can. And as I say at every station break, "Stay tuned for more."
Irene Conlan has a Master's Degree in Nursing and a Ph.D. in Metaphysics. Now retired, she manages The Self Improvement Blog and hosts The Self Improvement Show. She has two sons, three grandsons, and a crazy dog in Scottsdale, AZ
By Irene Conlan
I had never considered hosting a radio show until my son came home one day with the announcement, "Mom, you're going to do a radio show!" After a good bit of thought and a lot of trepidation, I agreed. I had started The Self Improvement Blog in 2007 so a show on self improvement seemed to be a good choice for a topic. The blog and the show together could offer a "double whammy." I was asked to put thirteen shows together as a starter and the first show aired on November 4, 2010.
This is me, three years and a hundred and seventy shows later, loving my job as host of The Self Improvement Show.
What do I love about it? Well, a lot of things, but I am blown away by my guests, their stories, their accomplishments and their triumphs, and I now have friends all over the world. In the beginning I didn't know where to find guests—that was the scary part. Francine Silverman came to my rescue a couple of times, helping me fill in some of those early gaps. Now I am booked six months in advance and have a waiting list of people who will come at a moment's notice. Gotta love it!
For me, the show is serious business. I want to showcase my guest and also make it fun for my guest and listeners. If I'm not prepared, the show won't be successful much less fun. I think each host needs to find what works best for them and their particular outreach. In the beginning there was a lot of trial and error (mostly a lot of error). After a few months I developed a routine that I follow and I'll share it with you so you have some idea what goes into preparing for a show. Keep in mind that each host is unique and does it in a way that works for him/her.
Once the guest and I have agreed on a date, here's what I do to get it ready for the air:
• I gather the needed information to put the show together—most of it supplied by the guest or their PR firm. It includes:
Contact information (we broadcast live via phone or Skype)
A bio
A headshot
Questions they want me to be sure to ask..(I formulate my own questions but I want their input as well.)
• Most of my guests have written a book so I do a book review. Yes, I read the book from cover to cover and post a review on my blog, Amazon.com and other sites that take book reviews.
• I do an extensive search of the Internet, including YouTube and Vimeo, to find any information I can about my guest. By the time the show airs I know them well.
• I write a brief biography and a description of the show. Based on this information, VoiceAmerica prepares an e-card which I send to the guest and/or their PR firm to e-mail to their lists. I send it to my list also.
• On the Sunday before the show I post their picture, bio and a description of the show on The Self Improvement Blog. I will also post any videos that are available—up to three. All this stays up until the following Sunday when I post information about the next guest.
• A day or two before the show, I write my introduction and formulate the questions.
• On the day of the show I post the book review, Tweet, and post an article either written by the guest or pertaining to the topic of the day. Then I relax so I can enjoy the show, too.
• The day following the show I send the guest a link to the show that they can use on their website, blog or newsletter if they wish to do so.
• Their show is automatically played on the home page of my blog and remains there for the week.
• I listen to every show to see how I can improve. I'm still working hard to remove any "ums" and "you knows" from my vocabulary and it's proving to be an uphill battle.
• As soon as last week's show is "put to bed" I start working on next week's show.
While I certainly don't consider myself a professional show host, I know I bring value to both my guest and my listeners. I had no idea it would take this much time and effort, but would I do it again? Absolutely! If you have any thought of doing a radio show, DO IT. If I can, you can. And as I say at every station break, "Stay tuned for more."
Irene Conlan has a Master's Degree in Nursing and a Ph.D. in Metaphysics. Now retired, she manages The Self Improvement Blog and hosts The Self Improvement Show. She has two sons, three grandsons, and a crazy dog in Scottsdale, AZ
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Guest Post
Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D. is an Internationally Renowned Author, Writer and Mentor, Worldwide. Her latest project is called “The Successful Failure Series ® and she is writing the third edition. You can reach Dr. Joyce at http://www.drjoyceknudsen.com
Why you Should have a Radio Show
By Joyce Knudsen
Many people ask why I have a radio show. They typically are concerned about not making money and just giving their time away. They couldn’t be more wrong. Over the past 30 years, my business is based on a relational theory; that once you form a relationship with another, they will want what you have. In my case, courses. They want to learn from you. Just knowing I’m providing valuable information through my guests (http://www.imagemakerincmedia.com) and these can be heard anytime, anywhere, throughout the entire world, gives me so much credibility and reputation that one simply cannot “pay” for.
If you want to have your own radio show, you can opt for BlogTalk Radio. Or, you can get a number with either
http://www.freeconference.com or http://www.accuconference.com for a small monthly fee. My findings are that without the show, I would not be selling as many books as I do and would not be getting the new clients I am getting. It’s all connected!
In Today’s World, we have to have an “online reputation.” It’s important that we do many things for ‘no cost’ because our relationships are what people are seeking on the social sites. Radio is another venue.
Having my own radio show has introduced me to Mark Chesnutt, JoDee Mecina, Dr. Tony Alessandra, Michael E. Gerber and Ivan Misner, to name a few. They, in turn, have contacted me, followed me on social sites and have suggested guests for my show. Having this show has opened up doors for me to interview Hollywood Celebrities and local talent.
Should you have a radio show? Without a doubt.
Why you Should have a Radio Show
By Joyce Knudsen
Many people ask why I have a radio show. They typically are concerned about not making money and just giving their time away. They couldn’t be more wrong. Over the past 30 years, my business is based on a relational theory; that once you form a relationship with another, they will want what you have. In my case, courses. They want to learn from you. Just knowing I’m providing valuable information through my guests (http://www.imagemakerincmedia.com) and these can be heard anytime, anywhere, throughout the entire world, gives me so much credibility and reputation that one simply cannot “pay” for.
If you want to have your own radio show, you can opt for BlogTalk Radio. Or, you can get a number with either
http://www.freeconference.com or http://www.accuconference.com for a small monthly fee. My findings are that without the show, I would not be selling as many books as I do and would not be getting the new clients I am getting. It’s all connected!
In Today’s World, we have to have an “online reputation.” It’s important that we do many things for ‘no cost’ because our relationships are what people are seeking on the social sites. Radio is another venue.
Having my own radio show has introduced me to Mark Chesnutt, JoDee Mecina, Dr. Tony Alessandra, Michael E. Gerber and Ivan Misner, to name a few. They, in turn, have contacted me, followed me on social sites and have suggested guests for my show. Having this show has opened up doors for me to interview Hollywood Celebrities and local talent.
Should you have a radio show? Without a doubt.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Guest Post
What kind of Radio Host are You?
by Frankie Picasso
As an author and radio host, I feel privileged to be able to sit on both sides of the microphone. Do I prefer one over the other? Possibly, but both can be exhilarating experiences if they are done right.
The role of radio host is no different from being a host/hostess in one’s home. Both situations require us to be hospitable and make sure our guests have everything they need to be comfortable and relaxed. To ensure that there are no awkward silences or embarrassing moments for them, we are prepared to make conversation by filling in any gaps in conversation by asking them about their families, work, stories of our own, world news and of course if all else fails, ‘the weather’! Our job as a hostess is to make the guest feel at home and really glad that they came to visit with us. It is exactly the same thing when a Guest visits our Show. They are coming into our workspace so the Host rules apply. I say SHOULD as there is a growing trend emerging amongst some Radio Hosts, where the GUEST is not only asked to do all the work but also to pay for the privilege. Are you kidding me?
If you host a VANITY Show, then admit that’s what it is. If you have decided to pay someone a Crap load of money in order to host a show (when you can do it for practically free) then that is a decision you made. Your guests shouldn’t have to pay you for it. They are what MAKE your show. Without them, you are a one voice wonder, unless that is the actual premise of your show which is very cool!
I have to admit that I have turned down interviews because of the amount of work a host wants me to do just to be on their show. What do I mean exactly? Over and over again, I am asked to send a list of 10 questions, write my own intro, send a bio with the exact number of words they want, get advertising or pay them and basically hand them in interview in a basket on my time and my dime! All for a 10 minute interview with someone who hasn’t even been on air a year. HELLO!!! What is wrong with this picture?
Well, I suppose I should ask you what you consider a Radio Hosts job to be? In my lexicon they are a journalist and as such, should be finding, researching, and writing and deciding what goes into their show, what will make it interesting and investigate facts about their guest in order to delight them, acknowledge them and support them. Heck I even expect you to read their books! (Please don’t give me the bull crap you don’t have time). When you actually put this kind of work into your show, you will be amazed by your guest’s reactions. Their respect for you goes WAY UP. They promote the interview more and the quality of your show and your work begins to shine.
It’s important that you ask meaningful questions that result in interesting if not passionate dialogue between you, your guests and even more importantly- Your listeners! If you are fortunate enough to have a call in show, it’s still important to remember that not everyone listens in live, so your Job is to ask questions that a listener might want to ask themselves. How can you do that if ALL you know about your guest is the 10 questions you asked from them?
As a guest, I find being asked the SAME 10 questions about my book and work VERY boring. Believe me after the 10th interview I am sent too, I probably won’t even be sharing YOUR SHOW nor the interview with listeners or followers. Why you ask? Why should I? My audience has already heard the answers to these questions ad nauseam. They crave something new and different and so do I.
If you wish to be a better journalist (and that is what being a radio host is) then I suggest you stop taking the easy road and start putting some real effort into your shows. They will certainly get better from both a content and listenership viewpoint and so will your skills.
My guests really appreciated knowing that I had their backs during an interview and were always VERY pleasantly surprised that I could quote from their books.
We already discussed the role of a host is to make sure our guest is comfortable and supported. Remember for the most part, your guests/authors are not entertainers, but YOU ARE. If you had actually read the book or material that made you want these folks as guests, then you would be able to remind them of material or scenes from their books to prompt them when they get stuck.
Being a Radio Host is a really Fun Role to have and being a Guest on the Radio is really cool too, because it denotes that you have something important to say.
Frankie Picasso is the former host of Mission Unstoppable Radio, Midlife Mojo Radio, Love Wranglers Radio Show, Babe & the Bachelor, Conversation with my Shoes and is currently launching her new show Crazy Good Radio with Co-host Cindy Nolte on January 29th on Blog Talk Radio.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Guest Post
by Eileen LichtensteinI've had - and continue to have wonderful experiences as a radio host, being a guest on internet radio, telesummits and being a blogger on my own site.Internet radio is easy :)- and usually free unless you get a premium station that has perks.
As a host it’s simply having a conversation via telephone with a structure set with the guests Q & A via email in advance so it can be promoted via the internet. The guest's tone is also conversational, so if anyone has jitters about this get rid of them since everything can be detected in your voice. By the way, public speaking is the #1 fear in the world. You can't see your public via radio or phone, so there's no reason for jitters! If you do have them, however I can help you with coaching and alternative modality EFT which is highly effective for reversing phobias and fear.
You may listen to my radio archives and other media events here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eileen-lichtenstein and http://balanceandpower.com/media.php Additionally, I co-hosted another weekly radio show on the internet for over a year! Listen to internet radio with MotivationalWhisperersRadio on Blog Talk Radio. and Eileen's Balance & Power Blog
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