Need Publicity for Your Self-Published Book? Radio Is the Way to Go

                                                    
Writing is hard work. You may think your work is done when your self-published book has gone through production. In reality, your work is just beginning. Internet marketing can help spark book sales, but radio is also an excellent way to sell your book.
Radio marketing has several advantages. First, it allows you to "tour" the world without leaving your home. Second, it offers many options: Internet, cable, satellite, and blog talk radio. Third, it gives you experience that you can apply to book talks and workshops. Fourth, it's one of the least expensive forms of advertising.
Annie Jennings discusses radio marketing in her article, "How to use Publicity to Share Your Message, Build Credibility and Expert Status," published on the National Business Association Website. "Appearing on radio shows such as talk radio gives you the opportunity to showcase your experience, credentials, education, wisdom and knowledge that is essential to creating buzz," she explains.

No doubt about it, radio creates buzz. People listen to it at home, in the car, and on cell phones. Follow these tips for a successful on air appearance.

1. Try to get a list of questions beforehand. The interviewer may not be willing to supply them, but it's worth a try.

2. Drink some water before you go on the air and keep a glass of water handy.

3. Instead of saying "the book" refer to your book by its title. If your book has a long sub-title, just give the main title.

4. Speak in sound bites, short, focused sentences that listeners will remember.

5. Avoid beginning your answers with the word "well." This word gives you a few nanoseconds to frame your answer, but it can make you sound insecure.

6. Modulate your voice -- not too high and not too low. You may wish to record your voice if you haven't been on radio before.

7. Have a copy of your book in front of you in case you need to look up something.

8. Give ordering information. After all, that's why you're on the radio.

9. Give your website address.

10. Try not to interrupt the interviewer. This is hard, since you can't see each other.

11. Refer to forthcoming book appearances, talks, and workshops. Say something like, "I'm so glad you asked that. I'm giving a workshop on that topic next week." Then quickly give the details of your workshop.

12. Inject humor without sound forced.

Whether your interview is 10 minutes or an hour long, enjoy yourself. You've written a book, are proud of it, and on the radio.