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Blog Entries for: Radio & Television

Are You Hitting Your Goals?

September 8, 2009

By Tama Westman

I saw this tip from Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, while I was flipping through the pages of the October issue of Success Magazine (If you don't yet subscribe to Success, I encourage you to up your game today with this monthly issue of some of the best leadership advice going).

According to Hansen, you can create a life-goal list in as little as 15 minutes. Sounds easy. Here's how:

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September 8, 2009 | View or add comments

Embracing the do's and don'ts of a radio or television interview for the Interviewee

August 4, 2008

By Linda Goldfarb

• Learn about the host and their audience. How much time are you going to have? Is your interview live or recorded? Your interview should fill a need for the audience. Learn to say “no”, not every interview is beneficial.
• Gain Confidence – Know your product – RE-READ YOUR BOOK!
• Staying focused is a key element of a great interview. Providing a clear A-B-C point to point outline for the host makes it easy. Know the flow before you go!
• Check the time-zone where the show originates. We shouldn't depend on our publicist to call and wake us up for the interview. A radio host expects professional experts to show up, a “missing in action” guest is not often offered second chances.
• Try not to “tell” the audience what they must do. No-one likes a finger pointed in their face. Our tone of voice is what radio audiences pick up on, if sharpness is detected we may become a tune-out factor. It's much better to “invite” them on a journey. This does not mean we need to use a soft sappy voice, one with confidence and motivation will direct them to our word-in-print.
• Help convey why the book’s important to them in your interview. When you are 'the" expert people are more likely to listen. Pinpoint the need of your audience (remember your audience changes depending on the station) and explain how your book will meet their need and it’s a done deal!
• A host should never have to pull the why-you-are-there out of you. Stuttering or stammering says you’re not prepared! Know your product. This does not mean sounding overly prepared or stagnant – be fresh and to the point with lifts and lows in your voice. A rule of thumb is to follow the lead of your host – match their tone, pace, and preparedness and you will make them at ease. (more on this later)
• DO NOT talk over your host. You will become known as a talking hog and it does not reflect well with the host or the listeners. (remember the audience is there because they like listening to the host... let them) Sometimes we react like the child who grew up with 12 siblings; we race to the table and grab at the food to shovel it in fearing that we won’t get our share. This does not work well on television or radio; your pace should be – not too fast and not too slow – just right!

If you follow these tips you will have a greater chance of meeting the needs of the audience and being asked back as an expert in your field. I'm here to answer more of your questions or get your thoughts.

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August 4, 2008 | View or add comments

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