Savvy Publicity Hounds know how to use talk radio to their advantage, even if they’re only calling the show to comment on an issue the host is discussing.
The first hoop you must jump through is to get past the call screener, particularly if it’s a big talk show. Be ready to tell the screener exactly what you’ll say to the host.
Holland Cooke, a talk radio consultant, cautions call screeners to prep callers before they go to the host on-air. Here’s what you can learn from his article Have You Hugged Your call Screener Today?:
- Sound as though you know the host and you’re happy to be on the air.
- Get to the pointy quickly. No rambling.
- Don’t say, “Hi, how are you? It’s so great to be on your show.” Just launch into your opening statement that summarizes your key point succinctly.
- Stay on topic.
He also recommends call screeners audition callers off the air and actually help them boil down their opinion to a concise opening statement. Be ready for this. Practice before you call the station.
And My Own Tips….
I’m a talk radio junkie. Three things bug me—and radio hosts—to no end:
- Callers who won’t turn off their radios, hoping to hear themselves. They don’t understand there’s a seven-second delay.
- Those who refuse to stop talking, especially when the host responds.
- Callers who say to the host, “As I was telling your call screener….”
One way to do that is to weave into your comment, if it’s pertinent, your occupation and the name of your company: “I own Buddy’s Pizza at the corner of Main Street and Eighth Avenue, and the road repairs will bring more customers to my pizza shop.”
You can also refer to yourself as an expert, if you indeed are, like this: “I’m a publicity expert and the publicity storm surrounding Hillary Clinton’s emails won’t subside anytime soon. Here’s why…”
The Heavy Hundred Talk Radio Shows
Earlier this week, in my free email tips, I wrote about the 2015’s Talkers Heavy Hundred, the annual list of the top 100 radio talk shows in the United States and the Top Weekly Topics this week. Remember that many of the shows can be heard around the world via podcasts and iHeartRadio.
If you’re a guest on radio shows big or small, read my 5 tips for selling books or products on radio.