How would you like to not only promote your business
on television and radio, but also become a local,
regional, or even national celebrity at the same time?
Think it can't be done? Think again. I will show you
exactly how to do just that, as I have done quite a
number of television interviews, and far too many
radio interviews to count.
Now, no matter what you do, promote, or sell, there
is probably a television or radio program that will
interview you for it.
However, most people tend to think that television
and radio are only for established celebrities, or
that they must find an "inside" connection, or must
spend exorbitant amounts of money on a professional
publicity firm in order to crack these media.
Well, nothing could be further from the truth, as I am
living proof of it. I suppose I have always been a bit
of a media ham/hound, take your pick of the terms,
for I have been doing television and radio interviews
for almost ten years. And, it is a very simple process,
and one that I thoroughly enjoy.
Following, is a layout of the steps for you to begin
approaching this invaluable level of media for
bringing dramatically more attention to your venture(s).
One point of note that should be stressed, is that
you will experience greater results and success IF
you can put a "news" or "public benefit" spin on what
you have to offer, and not simply convey that your
sole intent is to "sell" a product or service.
You should also consider incorporating special
discounts or even "freebie" offers for viewers and
listeners to further entice prospects to your offer.
So, let's begin with the "how to" process.
Television
1. Pick up you local television guide, or even better,
search online, and carefully review any locally or
regionally produced programs such as morning
shows or news programs. You want to list each of
these down on paper.
2. Next, get the station telephone numbers, call them
up, and inquire the name of each show's producer,
and/or the news director for newscasts. You will
probably find there is more than one newscast, with
each newscast hour having a different director. The
more, the merrier.
3. Inform the producer or news director of the offer
you have that you feel would be newsworthy and
something the viewers or listeners would be
interested in.
4. The producer/news director will, at that point, ask
you to send more information, generally, in the form
of a news release or, more appropriately, a media kit.
Make sure yours is top-notch. If for any reason you
cannot reach the producer or news director personally,
ask the receptionist or an assistant to provide you with
their name, as well as the station contact address.
5. Next, be patient. By all means, don't repeatedly
hound them in the interest of getting an interview. This
will only serve to alienate any future possibility. If they
are interested, and you have done a good job of
convincing them, they WILL call you. Also, keep in
mind that the time frames of them contacting you can
vary from 1 week to 1 year, as they are required to
produce segments ahead of time.
Radio
Basically, ditto for radio, except whereas the average
person is, generally, financially restricted to local
television (regional at best), you can (and should)
approach radio, literally, on a worldwide basis. How?
Well, radio has as much, if not more, of an advantage
because most interviews today, can (and are)
conducted via telephone, thus, eliminating your need
to travel and incur expense. I, personally, have done
almost 100 radio interviews promoting one particular
product, or another.
Following up your initial contact, the same way as you
do with television, once your radio interview is
scheduled, you wait by the phone on the date
scheduled. By all means, if you have small children in
your home, try to arrange for them to be in a different
location during your interview. Also, try to eliminate as
much noise as possible within your own environment,
outside and inside your home.
Another thing, is that the station pays for the phone call.
The producer/news director will call you approximately
10-15 minutes ahead of time and have you wait while
they "set-up" the show. During this time, you will be
able to hear the outgoing program, as well as hearing
the incoming program you are to be a guest on. You
will also hear them introduce you to their listenership.
If it is your first time being interviewed, whether on
radio or television, the chance is good that you will be
nervous. But, don't let this hold you back because
once the virgin interview is done, you are generally
comfortable from that point forward.
Again, I have an incredible amount of fun doing both
radio and television interviews. My interviews via radio
have been as far away as South Africa to date, while I
sit in the comfort of my own home in Texas.
Below are several web sites where you can have
access to radio stations, followed by a research of
their programs. The web site addresses listed at
numbers 3 and 4, also contain television contacts.
What you want to locate, are radio stations with the
formats of "Talk" and/or "Interview." With the
television stations, simply review their online
schedules, much as you would a local television guide.
1. http://www.radiodirectory.com
2. http://www.radio-directory.com
3. http://ajrnewslink.org
4. http://www.gebbieinc.com
If you are not utilizing the television and radio mediums
to bring attention to your business, products, or
services, you are, indeed, doing yourself a tremendous
injustice.
So, there you go. Knock yourself out and have an
abundance of fun with the media that most people are
unfamiliar with or unaware of how to take complete
advantage of.
About the Author
Kenny Love, of Kenny Love Enterprises.
Provider of diversified information, products, and
resources. See the extensive web site at
http://www.kennylove.net.