Remember me telling you about Business Solutions, the hour-long Milwaukee radio show for entrepreneurs that hosted me as their guest expert on Saturday afternoon?
I was disappointed that we didn’t get any calls from the audience. But here’s what happened and what I learned as a result of that program:
—The host, Diane Chamness, was joined by Paul Kronforst, who moderated the show, decided when we had to break for commercials, and attended to the all the little details. He joined the conversation with his own comments and questions. It’s the first time I ever did a radio show with two other people on the other side of the table. So I had to be careful to give them both a chance to speak and not hog the microphone.
—On the show, we discussed the strategy of Publicity Hounds bringing or sending food to radio and TV stations they want to get onto. During a commercial break, Paul told me his radio station doubles as a smorgasbord many days of the year. Advertisers, politicians, Publicity Hounds and lots of other people send free food to the station, to be enjoyed by hosts, guests, the engineers, the sales crew and anybody else. “Bring it on…We love it!” he said. But remember, don’t send free food to print publications. (See “Special Report 43: The Do’s and Don’ts of Bringing Food to the Media.”)
—Since Saturday, I’ve seen a nice little spike in the number of new subscribers to my ezine, “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week. (Subscribe in the box that will greet you here.)
—I just hung up with a Wisconsin business owner who heard the show on Saturday. His company is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and he wanted help with publicity. I referred him to an associate who will be perfect for him.
—I sent handwritten thank-you notes to Diane and Paul.
What radio shows in your community can you get onto to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation and sell more products and services? My friend George McKenzie, a veteran of radio and TV who I interviewed for a CD called “How to Get onto Drive-Time Radio Shows,” says drive-time radio shows are publicity gold mines, but only if you know the kinds of guests the hosts are looking for.