Book Excerpts From My TV/Radio Interview Tactics & Checklists by Bart Smith

Message From The Author

My TV & Radio Interview Tactics & Checklist Book Excerpt
Copyright © 2024 by Bart Smith
Reprinted by Permission

I’m really excited you picked up this book! Are you ready to tell the world what you do? Ready to be in the spotlight? “Today’s guest is an expert in ______. Please help me welcome YOUR NAME to the show!” That has such a great ring to it, doesn’t it? Well, get used to it. You’re going to be hearing it a lot, and because you’re going to be hearing that a lot and getting on a ton of shows, it’s best you dive deep into this book before you do!

I’ve tried to tap as much of my own interview know-how and experience into this one book so your interviews R.O.C.K. I share tips that have worked consistently for me and perhaps they will help you with your interviews, personal or business. I’m confident that these tried and true checklists and tactics will get you, too, in front of the right people.

In advance, here’s to your first (or next) interview after having read through this book. I can’t wait to hear about your reaction when a host says to you, “GREAT SHOW! Great interview. You’re really good. I should have you back again!” Yeah, that’s a good way to kick this book off, isn’t it? C’mon, let’s get started!

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BOOK EXCERPT #2

PART 1

Are You Getting Interviewed? Yes, Great! No, Why Not? Are Your Interviews Effective? Are You Getting Interviewed Enough?

My TV & Radio Interview Tactics & Checklist Book Excerpt
Copyright © 2024 by Bart Smith
Reprinted by Permission

Great questions, eh? Let me ask you a few more:

#1) → Are you getting interviewed soon?

#2) → Have you been interviewed lately?

#3) → When was the last time you were interviewed?

#4) → What was the largest audience of listeners, subscribers or viewers you ever interviewed in front of and how long ago was that interview?

#5) → What was the greatest thing that resulted from you being interviewed (i.e., a ton of sales/calls for your help, more interview invitations, etc.)?

#6) → Do you want to be interviewed?

Good questions, eh? How’d you do? Being interviewed is typically something most people don’t do on an everyday basis. Although, if you know that interviews can help you reach your target audience, you could or should be doing them every day or at least 1-3 times per week.

Why are interviews an important part of your marketing plan?

For these very reasons:

#1) → Interviews are FREE to you, for the most part. Sure, you could pay a publicity firm a couple thousand dollars to get you on some big TV/radio stations, and that investment could yield a nice return based on how far and wide you’re seen and what you’re getting interviewed about.

#2) → Interviews get you in front of your target market, which is a good thing, especially if that audience is in the 1,000’s multiplied by per week/month.

#4) → Interviews can generate sales and cause your phone to ring and your website to experience a flood of traffic!

#5) → Interviews with you that get archived on a show’s website are great for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and “link juice” when they link back to your website. (Definition: Link juice is a term used in the SEO world to refer to the value or equity passed from one page or site to another. This value is passed through hyperlinks. Search engines see links as votes by other websites that your page is valuable and worth promoting. When you get interviewed multiple times per month, eventually, you’ll have a number of websites linking back to you. THIS IS GOOD FOR SEO!)

#6) → Interviews work better than ads because you’re in front of people for 15-45 minutes (or more), unlike ads for only a few seconds. There’s a time and a place for ads, yes, but the power of interviewing is awesome.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of solid reasons why you should pursue getting interviewed as soon as you’re ready to be interviewed.

How do get interviewed?

There are a few ways to get interviewed, many of which, are easy to go after, obtain and secure. Here’s how I often go about it. First, I go hunting for shows that complement what it is I want to get interviewed about and where the target audience will be ultra receptive to what I have to share with them.

#1) → Find shows you like listening to or watching and find a way to get interviewed by the host. Often times, these shows have a website that gives the opportunity for people like you and me to submit a request to be guests on their shows. Look for it or just go directly to their contact page and say the same thing. “Hi, I really like your show. I’m an author and would like to be a guest on your show to talk about ___ (topic). You can find out more about me on my INTERVIEW ME page at my website. Just go to www.YourSite.com/interviewme … I look forward to hearing from you. ~ Your Name”

#2) → Go to websites like BlogTalkRadio.com, LATalkRadio.com, Apple iTunes Podcasting, Live365.com, Speaker.com, PodcastPeople.com, PodBean.com, ShoutCast.com and RadioGuestList.com, for example. Get on their lists so they can send you interview requests weekly. Look up similar sites using search queries like, “get interviewed, be a guest on our show” or “authors wanted guest interviews” or “be a guest on our show.” Spend time sifting through these websites to learn how to get on their show.

#3) → Pay to get a publicity firm to place you on high-level TV and radio shows. Fees range between $500 to $5,000 per interview or a bundle of interviews. Is it worth it? YES! BUT, get interviewed 10-30 times first on the smaller stations just to get your talking points down and learn what interviewers respond to, soundbites that audiences and hosts want to hear you say, etc.

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BOOK EXCERPT #3

PART 2

Where Is Your “Interview Me” Web Page On Your Website?

My TV & Radio Interview Tactics & Checklist Book Excerpt
Copyright © 2024 by Bart Smith
Reprinted by Permission

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN “INTERVIEW ME” WEB PAGE?

Basically, an “Interview Me” web page is designed to:

✦ HELP you get interviewed faster. By having this page ready to go, you can easily reach out to dozens of shows to interview you knowing their host/producer will be pleased to know you’re organized, prepared and available to go at a moment’s notice.

✦ HELP those who want to interview you do their job faster/easier. Having an “Interview Me” page on your website with all the right sections, content and information will help hosts prepare for your upcoming interview.

The “Interview Me” web page was something I came up with a long time ago to help TV, radio and podcast show hosts who asked to interview me. In this way, they can quickly and conveniently gather the information they require to do just that.

WHAT DOES AN “INTERVIEW ME” WEB PAGE LOOK LIKE?

Well, an “Interview Me” web page is easy to create, whether your website is built with WordPress, Wix, SquareSpace, etc. It’s designed specifically to provide key information about you and your topic for show interview decision makers, hosts and producers to get what they need regarding your interview, print it for their convenience and prepare for the interview.

Having a page like this makes it super easy to go after interviews, because all you really need to do is contact them, tell them to check out your “Interview Me” web page and let them get back to you. This is what it looks like:

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BOOK EXCERPT #4

PART 3

Where Is Your “Media Room” Web Page On Your Website?

My TV & Radio Interview Tactics & Checklist Book Excerpt
Copyright © 2024 by Bart Smith
Reprinted by Permission

What is a Media Room?

A Media Room (also called a press room) is a section on your website that provides members of the news media or anyone else interested in interviewing you with information about you, your book/product/company, photographs, press releases, interview questions, your press kit, and other vital necessities to help them “do their job!”

Why do you need a Media Room?

Getting free publicity and using the media to get the word out about what it is you do is one of the most under used methods of marketing you could spend time doing.

Remember this quote when dealing with the media … “Help them do their job!” When I first heard that expression, I never forgot it, and neither should you. What does it mean? “Help them to do their job?” It means, don’t make members of the media and other people struggle trying to get information about you so they can conduct that interview with you or write about you for their paper.

The purpose of a Media Room is to post any and all items so members of the media might go looking for it to help them do their jobs! The easier you make it for them to find interview questions, your biography, photos, press releases, write-ups and articles, the easier it will be for them to say, “When can we do the interview!”

What sections make up a great Media Room?

A great Media Room must have some, if not all, of the following sections so the media can pick and choose what they need to help them help you with the interview.

#1) → About (You, Your Website, Business or Product/Service) … Here’s a section that either tells a little bit about you, or a lot, or links to your About Us page on your website. When members of the media come to your Media Room and want more information about you and your company, product, etc., they’ll look for this section and quickly gain an understanding “about” who you are and much more.

#2) → Articles, Stories & Write-Ups … Do you write articles? You don’t have to list them in this section, but you might link to the article section on your website inside your Media Room. Articles give members of the media ideas for their own shows. If you wrote an article that inspires them to interview you, make sure they know where to find them on your site. Link to your articles section within your Media Room.

#3) → Awards & Recognitions … Have you received any awards or recognition for what you do? Make sure you post a section within your Media Room that highlights these accomplishments.

#4) → Biography Information … Who are you? Make it easy for members of the media to learn about you. Post your bio in your Media Room, or at least link to it. Also, make your bio available via PDF so they can print it from your website and read it on air or make notes for a TV introduction if you’re ever interviewed in that manner.

#5) → Highlights & Special Announcements … Do you often make announcements to your list of clients, prospects and affiliates about new products, services, etc.? Post these announcements in your Media Room for the media to see. Remember, members of the media are hungry for information about you, what’s going on in your world, etc. So, be sure to create a section in your Media Room that lists any new announcements you might make.

#6) → Facts ‘N Figures … Are there any particular facts and figures you might want potential members of the media or other visitors to your website to know about your company, your earnings, stock market performances, etc.? Then post those “facts ‘n figures” under a section called Facts & Figures or Fact Sheets or something similar.

#7) → Images / Photo Gallery … This is a must-have section to include in your Media Room. When members of the media want to interview you, or other people want to do a review of your products/services, send them to your Media Room where they can download web-ready or high resolution images of you, your products, book covers … you name it. Typically, you should provide a 72 dpi (for web use) and a 300 dpi (for print use) quality image for every image you provide inside your Media Room’s image gallery area.

#8) → Interview (Your Name) … Another must-have section of your Media Room, is the “Interview Your Name” section. Why not personalize this section if you can. When members of the media go looking through your Media Room and see a section called “Interview Bart Smith” immediately, they might just be inclined to pick up the phone and call you. At a minimum, it motivates them to … “interview you!” Inside this section, you can list ways to contact you, in addition to a list of questions they can ask you about what it is you do, your book, company, etc. Again, it’s a must-have section for your Media Room.

#9) → Interview Questions & Talking Points … It’s another must-have section to be included in your Media Room. It makes it easy for members of the media and others to interview you. Create a list of questions or “talking points” and make those questions available on your website. You can either list the questions on their own page, and/or provide a download link to a PDF allowing someone to download and print the questions on their computer for easy reference when they interview you.

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BOOK EXCERPT #5

PART 4

Do You Have Any Pre-Recorded Sample Interviews Of You On Video On Your Website?

My TV & Radio Interview Tactics & Checklist Book Excerpt
Copyright © 2024 by Bart Smith
Reprinted by Permission

What are sample interviews on video?

These are simply videos of you in actual interviews or sample ones to help impress show hosts to interview you based on what they saw and heard in those video interviews that you created and posted on your website, in your media room, or on pages that benefit from you having a sample interview video on them.

These video interviews can last anywhere between 5-25 minutes or longer if you choose. Ideally, the shorter, the better. For example, you might decide to film yourself answering 3-5 of the top most pressing questions you enjoy answering or your entire list of 10-20 questions found on your “Interview Me” page.

It’s up to you. Some folks will watch the whole video for their own personal enjoyment or for a learning opportunity about what you do or have to say.

Why do you need sample interviews on video?

There are a couple of reasons. For starters, these sample interview videos can introduce you and expand on what you are promoting or the message you want to get across to people. For example, you might have a book you want to promote. Well, just don’t post strictly sales copy on your website to sell your book. Readers want to know about you, the author.

Create a video trailer for the book itself and a video recording of you getting interviewed about your book. Give potential buyers of your product/service a real inside look into why you wrote/created the book, what you do and how folks can benefit from reading it. With you in the video, it has more power to convince and sell folks to buy your book vs. reading flat sales copy.

Another great reason to create a video with you being interviewed is to make it extremely fast and easy so show hosts will say, “Wow, I like how you answered those interview questions and you looked great on camera! I’m very excited to interview you, too. My audience is going to love you and what you have to say regarding the topics you cover so well.” Need I say more?

You see, many hosts are inundated with requests from people to get interviewed. To stand out among the competition, provide a real life sample video of you being interviewed. Inspire hosts to choose you over hundreds of others because your video moved them!

How do you create these interviews on video?

To be honest, do this:

#1) → Find a nice, clean area in your home/office to set up a clean and simple environment for filming with you on video for a few minutes.

#2) → Setup some professional lights so you’re well-lit in your videos. Buy these on Amazon for under $100.

#3) → Setup your phone on a 72” tripod to film you. I’d link a lavalier microphone to your phone to enhance the quality of the audio being recorded in your video.

#4) → Print out a list of questions in large print on a sheet of paper that you can keep by your side as a ready reference. “Okay, the next question I’ll answer is …”

#5) → OPTIONAL: Film each answer to x-question in a separate video on your phone. You’re going to piece them together later in one long video in post-production.

#6) → ANOTHER OPTION: Go ahead and film one long video with you answering all your questions and then just cut/edit the video in post-production.

#7) → Display a series of different emotions in your answers: seriousness, laughter, smiles, minimize hand waving, keep your posture sitting straight upright with shoulders back and head held upright, etc.

#8 → When done, transfer all those videos off your phone to your computer for editing.

#9) → Open up your video editing program of choice, import all the videos, place them on the time line and piece them together.

#10) → Insert a black space with white text, between each question you answer, displaying the question you are about to answer beforehand.

#11) → Insert any other text in the intro/outro of your video, perhaps stating what the interview is about.

#12) → DONE. Publish it, review it, make changes and then if you like it upload it to your website (where it belongs) and/or to video sharing websites such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.

In a nutshell, these are the steps to create a simple video interview with you answering a few key questions. Once you make one of these videos, make a few more for other books you wrote, products/services you’d like people to know more about, etc.

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BOOK EXCERPT #6

PART 5

Learn How To Get “Author Interviews” For The Book You Just Wrote

So, you just wrote a new book and you’re excited to share it with the world. Well, one of the best ways to do that is to get interviewed by people who have their own podcast/radio/TV show, website, forum, blog, newsletter/eZine and an audience ready to consume what you’ve just written. Getting your book in front of audiences will do wonders for you when it comes to making book sales, exposure for your services, a boost to your credibility, pave the way for getting more interviews, even approached by publishing companies who can help take your book to the next level, as well as your overall success as an author.

Getting interviews is one of the fastest, cheapest and most efficient ways to get your book out there. Today, there are literally thousands of online radio shows, blogs, websites and even TV shows that would like to interview you if your book’s content/message is a good fit for their show. The number of interviews you could go after is only limited by your own efforts and/or those you hire to help you find and secure interviews.

In this section, you’ll learn exactly how to get an unlimited number of interviews. Here are a number of questions to quickly ask yourself that I’ll also answer in the section below. But, here’s the basic mind set when it comes to getting interviews for you and your book:

#1) → What do you want to be interviewed about? What’s the subject matter?

#2) → Are you prepared to give an interview? There’s a lot that goes into preparation and I’ll discuss that upcoming.

#3) → How well do you know your own material?

#4) → How do you go about finding interview opportunities?

#5) → To find interview opportunities on your own, follow these procedures …

#6) → Stay organized as you search for and accumulate interview opportunities.

#7) → At this point, all you need to do now is review my INTERVIEW CHECKLIST.

Having read over this short list, let’s dive into each of them below in more detail with the “what-to/how-to” knowledge you’ll need to get interviewed.

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BOOK EXCERPT #7

PART 7

My Personal TV/Radio Interview Checklist

If one of your goals as an expert in your field of expertise is to showcase a book, product, service, website, to build your brand or reputation, ... getting interviews is a fast and free public relations strategy. With more than 5,000+ high-level radio talk shows, 50,000+ online talk shows, and 1,000+ TV news and talk shows, ... interviews have proven to reach enormous audiences. Getting started, you need to identify your niche, find what media your customers in your niche consume, and get to know who the radio, TV, and podcast hosts are, which is why it’s important to use my checklist to help.

1.0 PREPARE FOR THE PERFECT INTERVIEW

1.1 ____ Since most radio interviews are conducted by telephone or online via video, choose a quiet place in your home/office where you can speak freely and without interruptions. Lock the door if necessary and let others know that you are behind closed doors for an important call. Sit in your car or in your garage if needed. You get the idea.

1.2 ____ Prepare interview questions, stories and talking points to cover the period of time that you expect to be interviewed. Interviews typically last 30-60-90 minutes.

1.3 ____ Be prepared to answer any and all questions regarding your topic and know it well. Your responses should be concise yet fully informational because you only have a very short period of time to make your case.

1.4 ____ If you want, obtain a dedicated telephone number (unless your website is the best way to contact you). People often remember domain names versus numbers so if you get a dedicated telephone number, get one that's easy to remember.

1.5. ____ Is your website domain name easy to say, spell, remember? If you don’t have a website yet, at least secure a domain name before your competition gets the same idea.

1.6. ____ If you’re being interviewed on a large radio or TV station, direct listeners and viewers to a website that first captures their eMail addresses. Then have an opt-in form ready to redirect them to where your book (or product) is sold. Capture the customers’ names/eMail addresses and then push for a sale! Make a special offer such as a discount for buying more than one of your books. Instruct them to “Go to www.MyDomain.com to claim your FREE _______ when you buy my book at any retail store. Make sure you’re on my list to qualify. If you don’t enter to win, you won’t qualify for the FREE gift.”

1.7. ____ Aim to be cordial, entertaining, informative, and respectful. Make sure that what you have to say is newsworthy and of genuine interest to your target market and don’t be tempted to wander off topic.

2.0 HOW TO GET A RADIO INTERVIEW

2.1 ____ Go to Radio-Locator.com to look up radio stations throughout the USA. This is helpful when looking for local radio stations as well. Ideally, it’s best if you can secure a radio interview at the station. Be sure that you get pictures with them before you leave so you can post them on your website or press room.

2.2 ____ You can search online for interview opportunities by using the keywords “be a radio guest” via Google. Search for online radio shows that cater to your business or topic. Also, go to BlogTalkRadio.com and other online radio station websites to locate specific stations that cater to your needs. I can recommend LATalkRadio.com. Their radio hosts are always looking for great guests. The number of opportunities you have for getting interviewed are virtually endless!

2.3 ____ Learn the producer’s name and/or others that work at the station or company you’re trying to get an interview with. Look for links on their websites that might read, “Become A Guest” or similar. You could also call the station and ask, “Do you interview guest experts on your show?” Most will respond with a YES answer. Convincing them that you are a viable guest expert for theirs shows is the fun part. This is your chance to show your creativity and enthusiasm. Here are a more tips.

2.4 ____ If you can’t give the station representative an overview of what you’d like to talk about, send a preview of the topic you wish to be interviewed for such as a new book, company, service, product, etc. This information could also be posted on your website or in your press room. A page on your website could be dedicated to convincing radio station hosts and producers to book you for interviews. It has all the information they need in one place to make a quick decision. What you want to hear from them is, “Wow, this looks impressive. Yes, let’s schedule a date/time to bring you into the station. Do you have your calendar handy?”

2.5 ____ Provide the potential interview host/producer with endorsements for your book from customers, clients, celebrities, experts, industry gurus, and anyone who is a fan of your work.

2.6 ____ Provide endorsements from other talk show hosts that have interviewed you in the past and/or links to their websites (and yours) where this information is posted. The more you have to offer, the more in demand you become. Start small, such as local stations, and continually build your reputation!

2.7 ____ Depending on the method you use to send your material, include press releases, copies of your recent eZine/newsletter, flyer, postcard, one-sheet, articles published online/offline showcasing your profession and accomplishments. Ideally, this should be on a one-pager on your website where you can refer interviewers to a specific link having all the information they require.

2.8 ____ Don’t forget to follow up 2-3 days after you send in your proposal for an interview and then follow up again if you don’t get a response back within 10 days. Follow up with a phone call and/or eMail (or both) if you must leave a message. Another way to get their attention is to send a postcard with your book cover (for example) as a reminder that you are still interested in their station and speaking to their audience of listeners.

2.9 ____ If you can’t get in touch with the producer or show host, talk to and/or befriend a representative of the station. Send a gift (for me it’s my world famous chocolate chip cookies), an autographed copy of your book, sample products you produce, etc. If you don’t get the kind of response you’re looking for immediately, don’t give up. Keep the station updated on what’s happening in your world, notifications of other interviews, a new product, etc.

3.0 WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

3.1 ____ Listen to previously recorded/archived shows to get a feel for how a particular host interacts with guests. Also, pick up on talking points other guests or listeners or callers have made. You can bring them up in your interview if appropriate to make a stronger impact on the host and their audience. “I recall one of your previous guests talked about _____. That’s an interesting point because _________. “ Become the guest expert that get’s invited back again and again!

3.2. ____ Be sure that the station you are targeting has the best numbers to contact you and vice versa. Use caller I.D. to watch for their calls. Typically, a producer or staff member will contact you and connect you with the host of the show. Get that person’s name and be sure that you thank (name) for patching you through. 3.3. ____ What time of the day is the radio show? How long is the show? Be aware of varying time zones when soliciting numerous stations.

3.4. ____ How long will your interview be? Practice interviewing for period of time until you feel confident about what you’ll say. Some interviews might be 15 minutes, 30 minutes or even longer. Will you be prepared to speak for two hours? When participating in a radio interview, it’s live, obviously, and it’s your big chance to make yourself known. Never go unprepared.

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