I’ve made a few guest appearances on the Kim Iverson show on Z99.5 in Indianapolis, and lived to tell about it! Here are several tips on radio interviews for freelance writers - things I wish I would’ve known - plus some information from radio producer Ron Freshour’s “How to be a Great Radio Guest” tip sheet. 

First, a writing tip from a history professor and Pulitzer Prize winner: 

“I’m one of those people that believes you should start writing before you think you’re ready,” said Joseph Ellis, author of Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. 

And I’m one of those people who believes you should start accepting invitations to be a radio guest before you think you’re ready! I turned down a BBC radio interview several months ago and will probably always regret it. But, if I’d known then what I know now, I probably would have accepted that opportunity. So, to help you avoid that mistake here are several tips for radio interviews for writers (or anyone else!).

(By the way, if you want more information on broadcast journalism, click on the Broadcast News Handbook for more information.)

10 Tips for Radio Interviews for Writers (or Any Radio Guests) 

The Kim Iverson show is a “welcome oasis of relationship advice, celebrities, self-help experts, psychics, dream interpreters, fashionistas, and a peek into somebody else’s bedroom.” Kim is full of energy and lively chatter, and her radio producer Ron Freshour is an organized and dedicated sweetheart. Both Kim and Ron are amazing at making their radio guests feel welcome, accepted, and interesting. 

If you’re lucky enough to be asked to do a radio interview by Kim or Ron - or other talk show hosts - here’s how to make your experience fabulous. 

1. Prepare. When you’re scheduled for a radio interview, ask for a list of questions before show time. It really takes the pressure off to prepare in advance - but be aware that radio interviews can go off topic. That is, the interviewer may ask questions not on the list, which may feel awkward but can make your radio appearance more authentic and interesting. 

2. Stay calm. I get worked up about doing radio interviews, especially if it’s about a topic I haven’t researched fully or recently. Certain topics are a piece of cake - such as making a living as a freelance writer or setting up your own blog or website for the first time. Other topics are less familiar, which leads to pre-interview anxiety. To stay calm, I run or wrestle with my cat. When you’re scheduled for a radio interview, take time out to center yourself and stay calm. 

3. Use a landline, not a cell phone. Cell phones aren’t as reliable and can sound more hollow than landlines. If this is your first radio interview as a writer, make sure your call won’t be interrupted or cut off. 

4. Get enthusiastic. “Sound as enthusiastic as you can!” writes Ron Freshour of Z99.5 on his “How to be a Great Radio Guest” tip sheet. “Try to be an exaggerated version of yourself. Because people can’t see you, your extra excitement makes up for the lack of visual. Believe us, you end up sounding totally normal.” If you’re passionate about your topic, it should be easy to get enthusiastic.

5. Imagine that you’re speaking only to your interviewer. A surefire way to get nervous is to picture hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people listen to your talk radio interview! Instead, connect with the interviewer as a person and pretend you’re having a conversion just with him or her. 

6. Be who you really are. This advice on Freshour’s “How to be a Great Radio Guest” tip sheet is perfect not only for radio interviews for writers, but for humans in general. He says, “Never worry about what you think someone else will think of what you say. When you worry about embarrassing yourself or saying the wrong thing, you usually will. Besides, you have no control over what someone else will think. They will think whatever they think - and there’s nothing you can do about it.” (This is great advice for writers, too!). 

7. Lose the jargon. If you’re being interviewed on the radio as a writer, avoid using terms such as “deus ex machina”, “research shorts”, or “simultaneous submissions.” You may know what you’re talking about, but the listeners may not…and you’ll lose them. You may also lose your radio host and producer.

8. Tape the show. Have you even been surprised how you sound on a telephone answering machine or voice mail? Join the club. We all sound different recorded than we think we do in real life. Before your radio interview, figure out how you can tape the show. Afterwards, listen and critique your performance: were you enthusiastic enough? Clear enough? Focused enough? Don’t beat yourself up; instead, make notes for your next radio interview as a writer. 

9. Keep practicing. I’ve had a couple of awkward moments on the radio, and really didn’t want to go back on as a guest. But, I’m learning that best way to learn to be a great radio guest is to take any opportunity you can to practice. That means making mistakes and perhaps even embarrassing yourself live on the radio - but take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone! Almost everyone has make mistakes as a radio guest, and all of us have lived to tell the tale. 

10. Have fun. Relax and enjoy yourself; the more relaxed and happy you are, the more listeners will enjoy your interview. Plus, the radio host and producer are more likely to ask you to return if you enjoy yourself during the interview. To be a great radio guest, have a good time with your host.

If you have any tips or questions about radio interviews for writers, please feel free to email me or use the comment form below. 

And - check out the Just Write Blog Carnival for encouragement for writers, freelance writing tips, publishing information, writing resources, and more. The writing tips include Editing for Money, Tips for a Full-Time Writing Career, and Grammar Rules You Can Break.  Interesting stuff!