5 tips for a great radio interview!

Recently I did a series of radio interviews to chat about my latest novel “Under your Skin”. I managed to get slots on BBC Radio Ulster, Cambridgeshire, West Midlands, Leicester and Hereford & Worcester – as well as a slot on Dublin City FM.

Here are 5 things I learned from doing those interviews:

1. Nerves are good!

Some people can’t imagine going on air for fear that the nerves would overtake them. They have negative fantasies that they would clam up or worse, stumble over their words and appear flustered. But I have found that it’s good to embrace that nervous feeling! Nerves are just a rush of adrenaline; nervous energy that perks you up and gives you the ‘oomph’ and motivation to stay alert for the interview. Imagine if you had no nerves at all; if you felt so bored and lethargic and really didn’t care about how you came across – that would be terrible!

Embrace that nervous energy – have a listen to one of the presenter’s previous programs so that you can get a feel for his/ her interview style. When they play music, have a little dance around your room – burn off some of that energy! Try some relaxation tips that actors use; force yourself to do some big yawns – that tricks your body into thinking that you are relaxed. It works!

Tell yourself that when the interview is over, you can do something nice for yourself – something relaxing. What you will find, is that all that nervous energy will turn into euphoric relief afterwards and you’ll be buzzing! You’ll be so pleased with yourself for facing your fears and doing it anyway. And you might find you enjoyed it!

2. Focus on the presenter

Every single presenter I have chatted to was friendly, chatty and welcoming. Funny that, they are paid to talk – that is their forte! They have asked you to come on the show, therefore they think you have something of importance to add to their program. They want you to talk. They will ask open questions to get a conversation going.

Imagine that they’re sitting opposite you. Imagine it’s a friend or acquaintance who has a genuine interest in your book and wants to know more about it. Chat away to that presenter as you would to anybody.

3. You know your stuff!

Remember that you know your stuff. Have confidence that there is no-one more equipped to answer those questions than you. They’re asking about your book – the book that has taken you months to write and has lived in your head for all that time. It’s unlikely that there’d be any question that you’d be unable to answer. So have confidence that you know your subject!

4. Be tech ready

The only slight panic I had was with a technical issue. Radio presenters generally prefer to phone you on a landline. My landline however, is rarely in use. It is also a handheld device that nestles in a cradle. For some bizarre reason, halfway through the interview, my phone completely died! How strange is that? When does a landline ever die? I think it was something to do with the handheld set.

Anyway, I quickly phoned the presenter back from my mobile and she was the ultimate professional. Without any fuss or drama, she simply picked up the interview where we left off and carried on. Thankfully it was a prerecorded interview but I learned my lesson – always make sure you’re tech ready!

It’s also important to make sure you’ll have complete quiet; that any other phones are muted and that the pets are in another room with the door closed so they can’t walk in and miaow halfway through! Also any potential visitors should be told to keep away and not ring the doorbell!

5. One click links

Here’s the bad news: radio interviews might not equal sales.

Think about it: If you heard someone chatting away on the radio about a book that sounds really interesting, would you think to yourself “Oooh, I must remember that author’s name and the title of the book so that I can go home, open my computer, look her up on Amazon and order the book.” Of course not.

That’s why it’s important to have one-click links advertisements on social media. Make it easy for your reader to have access to your book’s home. Like here:

"Under Your Skin" - available on Amazon - click here!