Radio interviews are one of my favorite promotion strategies for authors. Aside from the fact that you can almost always conduct them from home, you can also reach a broad audience with your message.
Internet radio shows, such as those found at BlogTalkRadio.com, provide wonderful opportunities for authors to reach a niche audience. Here you can find shows about everything from business blogging to parenting. Shows typically feature guests for 15 minutes up to a full hour, and archives can remain online for years.
To pitch yourself as a guest to radio shows, you can send a press release. However, press releases aren’t the only way to get media attention. I have found that sending a simple e-mail can be even more effective. Since I’m often asked how to do this, here’s a sample I put together to show you how to craft your media pitch.
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Greetings <first name>,
My name is Stephanie Chandler and I am the author of Booked Up! How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book to Grow Your Business. I have reviewed your show archives and I believe that I would be a great guest for your audience.
Proposed Topic: Marketing your business by writing and publishing books and ebooks.
Did you know that a recent survey showed that more than 80% of Americans would like to write a book? At the same time, businesses are looking for new marketing strategies and ways to stay competitive in a challenging economy. Promoting a business with a book can be a powerful way to gain a competitive advantage, and it’s easier to accomplish that you might think.
As a guest on your show, I would propose discussing the following key points:
- How businesses can use books for marketing purposes.
- Simple strategies for writing a book quickly.
- Publishing options including traditional and self-publishing.
- Options with ebooks for the Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Nook and more.
- Methods for building buzz online.
I have years of experience as a radio show guest and I can assure you that our time together will be well-spent and focused on delivering value to your audience. I would also be happy to provide you with sample interview questions and a complimentary copy of my book at your request.
Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Warm regards,
Stephanie Chandler
<insert contact information: e-mail, phone, website URL>
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Some additional considerations:
- Always address the host or producer by name, if available.
- Write a compelling introduction that captures interest.
- Provide a simple list of three to five key discussion points.
- Mention previous interview experience since it increases confidence of the host or producer and lets them know you’ll be a good guest. If you don’t have previous experience, assure the host that your goal is to provide an informative interview for his/her audience.
- Offer to provide sample interview questions. Radio hosts may or may not use them, but it demonstrates professionalism to provide them. Make a list of eight to fifteen questions that you think the audience might like to know. Put these in a nicely formatted document and include a brief bio (that will likely be read on-air) and your contact information.
- Offer a complimentary copy of your book for review. This can help hook the producer or host and give them more reasons to talk about your book on air.
If you use the strategies recommended here, please check back in and post a comment to let us know how it worked for you!
Check out our lists of internet radio shows and podcasts! These are 
the ONLY media lists available that are dedicated to internet radio programs!
I am gonna be guesting in a Radio station here in the Philippines two weeks from now. This post is really helpful. Thank you! =)
As always you have such wonderful tips to share. I am moving in the direction of gaining media exposure and this truly is helpful.
Thank you so much!
Jeanette
Thank you very much for the compliment, Jeanette. Best of luck to you!
Greetings Stepanie,
I found your article to be well written and very useful to authors looking for exposure. I wear both hats of being an author and a radio host. I offer promotional packages for new and seasoned authors on my show. Often I find that some authors express the initial interest in coming on the show but aren’t forthcoming in a timely matter with submitting the requested and needed materials for their promotion.
So, my added tip would be:
Have your media kit, EPK , media sheet ect., available first before you query to the show hosts.
This way you can submit your materials as soon as you get back a response. This shows that you are a professional and books you on the show as soon as possible. On my show time slots go very quickly and I’m booked months in advance. If an author queries to me I let them know what month and date could be available. However, if that author does not respond back quickly 9 out of 10 times that date is gone and they have to wait sometimes until several months later. This doesn’t help the author especially if their trying to get promotion around a book release.
Another tip would be:
Here is a list of things I request because I offer the options of an interview and or a commercial as promotion.
Author bio
Author pic
Book cover pic
Brief synopsis of book
Author’s web site
URL where book is sold
Book price
Targeted audience
Brand or slogan
Contact information
Specials or discounts available
Copy of the book either in PDF or by mail
My show ‘From The Heart & Soul’ on Blog Talk Radio has been on for almost 4 years and it is my experience that the more the host knows about an author and their book the better they can promote them.
As an author I always have these things available as my press kit along with a one sheet media page that displays my picture, web and e-mail addy, a brief bio, a brief synopsis of the book, a few abbreviated praise statements from my readers, why I wrote the book and who my targeted audience is. In my opinion the media
one sheet is a good tool to have to send out before the entire press kit or EPK.
Happy writing and success in abundance to all!
Great advice, Rachel! Thanks so much for taking the time to share.
I too, am a producer and host, on Blog Talk Radio, since 2006. I have interviewed many authors, but never charged them a penny. Maybe that is why they are not responding to you in a timely manner. Marketing is an expense for all authors.
They must choose where they get the best bang for their bucks.
My first radio interview was in 2004. The host of that show told me I should never pay for an interview. And I never have.
Yes, it is challenging for authors to get media attention, especially if your are a first time author.
The lesson for us is to never stop trying.
Best to you.
Betsy Balega
Producer/Host Tuning in with Betsy
Author: Being Mystic in Touch with God
Agreed! There is no reason for authors to pay for interviews, though paying a publicist to help them book interviews can be a good investment. Thanks for sharing!
This is great. I will update my message to include this. Thanks Stephanie!
Thanks for sharing your post. I am an author and am interested in doing some talk radio shows thanks for the encouraging words.
Terrific advice, and so timely! I launched my site, SpeakupPowerfully.com, recently and want to do some ‘guesting’ to build awareness and traffic. (I teach how to be assertive without being an ass)
Between your suggestions and Rachel’s additional tip I’ll be able to find radio shows that cater to entrepreneurial women and startups and make a great case for accepting me.
Besides BlogTalkRadio, what’s your favorite place to find hosts and what are we looking for? What makes a popular program in terms of comments or readership?
Thanks, Stephanie!
Hi Dina, Since women are a focus for you, I’d suggest looking at http://womensradio.com and http://divatoolbox.com. I personally make it a rule to only give interviews to shows that have been on the air for a year or more since they likely have an audience. Some shows reveal the number of subscribers or comments, which can also give you some idea about audience. I’ve seen both sides: shows that appeared popular and weren’t, and shows that I didn’t expect to be popular, but actually had really loyal listeners. Another option is to come from that place of “yes” and just accept all opportunities! Each interview is a chance to build your skills and reach more people, even if the audience is smaller. It only takes one new client or connection or opportunity to make it worthwhile. Good luck!
Thanks so much, I have just recently been looking into the radio interviews, got one for an INternet radio show for tomorrow booked. Your info is great, I will adding to emails that info you suggested. I don’t want to make it too wordy though, someone had told me to keep a press release only 2 paragraphs or I’ll lose them. I’m thinking it’s kinda the same here….
Thanks again!
I have finished writing, illustrating and started a publishing company Fleur de Dat for my first chlidren’s book “Juju the GOOD voodoo”. Any suggestions, I will be looking into the websites you suggested to Dina. I also have a facebook and twitter for Juju, I think I’m on the right path
Nice article, Stephanie.
Those are good tips that should help any of your readers get more radio interviews.
Another good idea is to sign up for our free email list. Each day we send out “Guest Requests” from radio show and podcast hosts looking for interview guests.
We’ve helped thousands of authors, experts, and businesses get free interview publicity since 2008 and our service is free, too.
http://www.RadioGuestList.com
If you haven’t joined us yet, we hope you will, too!
Thanks!
Cool resource–thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this resource!
:>
My husband & I just had our first on-air interview last week and it was so much fun that we are looking for more. :>
This article, plus the larger free report from your store page, will help us to put ourselves out there in a professional manner quickly, both of which are wonderful things.
:>
Thanks again! :>
Glad it helped! By the way, the report on how to book yourself for interviews if a free download, but the lists of programs are sold as a product. We give away a lot of free information here, but have to pay the bills too!
Hello,
I’m a new indie author researching different ways to promote my book and all of the information listed here is extremely helpful. I especially appreciate the tip about not paying for interviews. Thanks to all of you!