Home
>
Public Relations
>
Talk Back Radio - Tips To Be A Star On-Air!

Talk Back Radio - Tips To Be A Star On-Air!

Talkback radio offers a fantastic opportunity to access thousands of people instantly and relay your or your company's messages. An interview opportunity is highly sought after in today's business and to learn ways of working effectively with the media invaluable to any business.

In the media business radio producers and presenters talk about 'good and bad talent'.

'Good talent' gets invited back again and again for radio interviews and often a regular talkback spot, but 'bad talent' gets consigned, literally, to the 'never to be used again' file.

Being available for talkback radio and being 'good talent' can help build your personal profile and business. It can also position you as an 'expert' and provide tens of thousands of dollars worth of free publicity.

Radio is the medium of imagination and talkback radio takes advantage of the immediacy and interactive nature of radio.

Talkback radio has boomed in recent years with everything from what home entertainment system to buy to 'Ask the Minister' sessions with political leaders.

In my 12 years with the ABC, one of the most fun, innovative and well-received topics was talkback radio on 'chainsaw maintenance'!

So what makes good talkback talent and how can you become a talkback radio star?

Here are my Top 10 Tips.

1. TARGET STATIONS THAT HAVE TALKBACK IN THEIR FORMAT.

It is pointless chasing after FM or music based stations. Most talkback stations are on the AM band and in Australia, the ABC with its largely talk-based format is an obvious target. Stations like the ABC will also have developed formats and may be able to offer a date in the future to schedule you in for an interview or mould their program topic to include your area of expertise.

2. FIND OUT WHAT TOPICS AND SUBJECTS ARE CURRENT, NEWSWORTHY & TOPICAL.

Scan the media for 'Hot News Topics' that may fit your area of expertise. Remember the goal of talkback radio is firstly to help the station produce interesting and engaging radio for the listener and provide solutions to listeners' problems. It is not to blatantly promote your service or product. This is an especially sensitive area for the ABC where they have strict editorial guidelines preventing them from mentioning commercial products or services.

3. FIND OUT WHO THE PRODUCER IS FOR RELEVANT TALKBACK PROGRAMS.

A great resource is 'Margaret Gee's Media Guide'. This is updated every 6-months and is available in the business reference section of most State Libraries. Be involved with your target station, listen to the programs and gain an understanding of the presenters and their interests and their audience.

4. CONTACT THE RELEVANT PRODUCER.

Offer not only story ideas to add value to their programming but also offer to take talkback. Make sure you have prepared what you are going to say when you contact them and call when they have time to talk. Calling during a program or leading up to their on air deadline is not a good idea. Work out when the best time to call is. Often the receptionist at the station can provide this detail prior to contacting the producer. A good resource full of tips and scripts for contacting the media is our book 'Media Fundamentals: 8M's Essential Media Kit'. Order your copy now http://www.8mmedia.com/Media%20Fundamentals.htm

5. OFFER TO GO INTO THE STUDIO.

Make yourself as accessible and easy to work with as possible. Remember the media are very busy and talkback shows are driven by public opinion. The easier you can make their job the better. Being in the studio adds enormous quality to the sound of the program as well as giving you more credibility and authority.

Often stations use satellite links so you can still sound live and local even if you are in a studio thousands of miles away. Going into the studio also helps build rapport and relationships with the producer and presenter, especially if you actually meet them face to face.

6. ASK FOR DIRECTION ON THE TYPE OF AUDIENCE THEY BROADCAST TO AND ANY LIKELY QUESTIONS.

This will help provide a better understanding of the audience you are trying to reach so you can tailor your message. Don't ever assume. Radio stations have very targeted demographics so access their research and incorporate into your message.

7. PREPARE NOTES FOR EASY REFERENCE.

The anonymity of radio allows you to look at prepared notes. Use keywords instead of reading out prepared sentences. Often a few key words or phrases written on a piece of paper keeps your focus rather then allowing yourself to be side tracked by other topics.

8. ALWAYS WRITE DOWN THE FIRST NAME OF THE CALLER.

When on air always write down the first name of each talkback caller and use this in your answer. This helps build rapport and empathy with both the caller and the audience. Keep answers short and to the point. Importantly, be yourself when on air.

9. TAKE A TAPE OR MINIDISK TO RECORD YOUR SEGMENT.

Always ask permission to record your talkback session. This can be an invaluable tool to use to improve your performance, transcribe your ideas and answers for use in articles or to duplicate and give away as a free resource to build credibility.

10. EVALUATE, REVIEW AND THANK.

After the session and when appropriate debrief and ask for feedback from the presenter or producer. Listen to the tape yourself and look for ways to improve for next time. Always thank the media for the opportunity and offer to come on again.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.com

limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Creating an email alias can help clean up your inbox by organizing emails based on purpose, like creating different aliases for shopping, newsletters and work.

A multipurpose robotic system promises to transform how items are stacked onto pallets, aiming to maximize space utilization and reduce shipping costs.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The number of people affected by a UnitedHealth data breach in February 2024 was actually higher than previously reported and was the largest medical data breach in U.S. history.

A phishing campaign uses Google Calendar to schedule fake meeting invitations that appear legitimate, redirecting targets to phishing sites.

Toll road text scam: Fake messages claim unpaid fees, seek payment via fraudulent links. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says these steps ensure that your friends and family get to the exact moment you want them to see. Try it out and streamline your sharing experience.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers tips on how to protect your identity: Be vigilant, monitor accounts, use smart security, know theft response.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.

It's hard to imagine life without in-flight Wi-Fi these days – but sky-high web surfing comes with its own set of privacy concerns. Here's how to protect yourself.

Over 400,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission. The CyberGuy explains how to protect against becoming another victim.

A nondescript metal box transforms into a fully functional electric motorcycle that blurs the line between vehicle and urban infrastructure.

Many apps unrelated to location still ask users for tracking permission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to end this alleged practice by Allstate.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Melody, the artificial intelligence-powered robot, is life-sized and represents a move toward creating robots that resemble people in appearance and interaction.

Here are five easy smartphone rules from the National Security Agency that you can follow to better protect your mobile device from hackers and scammers.

A U.S. robotics company has developed "Jennie," a robotic pet powered by artificial intelligence that's designed to comfort those facing mental health challenges.

Healthcare records for more than 184 million Americans were breached in 2024, but you can take steps to minimize that risk. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.

The Skyrider X1 from Rictor claims to be the "first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle," and it combines land and air travel in one sleek design.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Home inventory and restoration apps help itemize and track every item in your home in the event you have to make an insurance claim after a natural disaster.

The White House launched a new cybersecurity safety label, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, intended to help consumers make informed decisions on smart device safety.

Today's tech can help make life so much easier — if you know how to use it. Here are a few tips on the quickest and best ways to make your phone, laptop and other devices work for you.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers Windows 11 restart fixes: Update drivers, run system scans and check hardware.

Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 EV launches with advanced tech and entertainment for $89,900. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives his takeaways.

Talk Back Radio - Tips To Be A Star On-Air!

Public Relations