Radio has always been my favorite way to be interviewed for my books and expertise. It’s usually live; more time than a TV slot; and it’s ideal to push a soon-to-be event—such as a book signing. A signing that could be in your own city … or in a city, you are traveling to.
If you have a book, the savvy author takes the time to know who’s who in the radio neighborhood. Daytime and during the wee hours of the night. Some of the best interviews I’ve had that have sold books were delivered in the 1 AM – 5 AM slots. Why? First, because there is less competition on the AM/FM airwaves in those wee hours, a station’s signal ranges expand. I live in Colorado and on some of the stations, my voice can be heard in California!
Let’s acknowledge this: your building fans are tickled to meet you in person. When you are interviewed and do “live” radio in your local city for an upcoming book signing or speaking event … I promise you, they will come out.
And as someone who spent 30 years on the road speaking at public conferences, it was common for the sponsoring host to book a spot for me to be interviewed and featured on the local radio station. I gladly did it… no matter what the time of day it or they wanted me. When you are interviewed and do “live” radio in a city for an upcoming book signing or speaking event … I promise you again, they will come out.
Yes, I host an Internet radio show … “live” on Thursdays at 6 Eastern—the great majority of listening traffic surfaces later in the form of downloads—a in 90%. Today, the average podcast has 2,500 listeners a month. AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 downloads each month. For my show, followers have the convenience of selecting from all the shows I’ve done (over 200 of them) via my show’s podcast links. They can find it on the AuthorU.org Home page, on TheBookShepherd.com Home page, on the Toginet station’s Home page; or within the iTunes vast store.
I’m in the process of expanding my reach with additional shows on the Author’s Radio Network starting with the all new Author YOU this summer.
Yes, Internet radio podcast makes it tempting to dismiss the task of booking interviews at AM or FM radio stations from city to city—but don’t.
For you to do: Learn more about what shows in your region feature authors and experts … remember, you are both. If you are speaking out
of town, Google radio stations for the community you are coming to; contact them and pitch yourself; make sure you have a Media tab on your website that has a page with Questions to ask you, a press release, a high-resolution photo; and if you have been on any other shows—capture their logos and post the call letters. Start building a “brag” media sheet.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of AuthorU.org, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 35 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (Foreword IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #35 was published in 2016: How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos. Get your copy now.
Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2017, the dates are June 22-24th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow.
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps, and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre-, during and post-publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday if you are an AuthorU.org GOLD member. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code is only availabe to members … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen
Join us.