| Ever listen to a talk show on the radio? And | | | | First, know the general format of your |
| ever wonder how those experts on the shows | | | | answer, but don't memorize what you're going |
| got to be there?The dirty secret is that they | | | | to be saying. Second, be spontaneous. Try |
| shamelessly pushed themselves onto the | | | | to engage the host, and talk to them. Of |
| program. And while it sounds both dirty and | | | | course, there will be lots of people |
| shameless, the reality is that going on to | | | | listening on the radio, but you will sound |
| talk programs is a great way to promote your | | | | stilted and forced if you think of them. |
| work in a way that's both low-key, and | | | | Think instead of that one individual you are |
| effective.Plus: even if you can't be on a | | | | speaking to, the host or the caller. Third, |
| particular program, you can benefit from talk | | | | smile. Of course, if you're discussing an |
| shows, as a caller.The secret in both | | | | unhappy or serious issue, you don't want to |
| situations is to remember my rule: you are | | | | be grinning from ear to ear. But smiling, or |
| there to provide information, and not to sell | | | | at least maintaining a pleasant look on your |
| your service or product.Which doesn't mean | | | | face, will make your voice sound more |
| you won't sell your work. You will. But | | | | musical, more vibrant, and less flat. If a |
| your listeners won't think they are being | | | | caller, or even the host, becomes |
| sold. And that's a great combination.I've | | | | argumentative, that's all the more reason to |
| written about using audio calls to promote | | | | keep a pleasant look on your face. Maintain |
| your work. This is a variation of that. But | | | | a pleasant expression, and be a genuinely |
| it's a far more effective system.Talk shows | | | | nice person, and you'll likely defuse the |
| need you. Desperately. And the smaller the | | | | anger.Don't be discouraged if there are not a |
| talk show, the smaller the network, the | | | | huge number of calls. A good host will know |
| smaller the radio station, the more | | | | how to make a program work, even if there are |
| desperately they need you.Most people | | | | not a lot of calls. But you will likely be |
| contemplating going on talk shows think Oprah | | | | surprised at how many calls come in.When you |
| first. And while I won't argue with anyone | | | | get calls, make sure you listen to the |
| who manages to snag a spot on Oprah, the | | | | caller, and understand their question. And |
| reality is that you are competing with | | | | pause for a second before answering, to give |
| thousands of other people for that privilege. | | | | yourself time to think, and collect your |
| And you are unlikely to get on there, at | | | | thoughts. If you are baffled by a question, |
| least not for a long time.On the other hand, | | | | it's OK to say, "Well, that's a very good |
| let's say you're in a small town. And the | | | | question, but it's a little outside my area |
| local station has a talk show every morning | | | | of expertise. But let me tell you how I |
| from 8 to 10. And most of the time, the talk | | | | handled a similar situation ..." Then go on |
| is a group of several announcers who sit | | | | to talk about an area that relates to the |
| around, chew the fat, discuss high school | | | | question that you are familiar with. Don't |
| sports, and generally try to fill in the time | | | | take calls personally. If someone is angry |
| between commercials.And there are hundreds of | | | | about something, you are very likely not the |
| such examples across the US and Canada. And | | | | cause of their anger. In such a situation, |
| you don't have to be in a small town. Even | | | | you might say, "I can appreciate that you are |
| in such radio markets as New York City and | | | | quite concerned about this issue ..." And |
| Chicago, there are dozens of small stations | | | | then go on to relate their question to an |
| which serve niche markets (think ethnic | | | | area of your expertise.And when the program's |
| groups, small areas, etc.) And those that | | | | over, your work is not complete. You need to |
| have talk shows need talkers. Which is where | | | | do 2 things. First, speak to the |
| you come in.The other reality is that while a | | | | receptionist. Leave one of your cards, and |
| good talk show sounds informal, it's anything | | | | write your URL on the back of the card in |
| but that. The structure of a good show is | | | | large, legible letters. The receptionist may |
| formal, and laid out in advance. The guest | | | | get calls later from people who want to |
| (that's you) sets out the format for the | | | | contact you, and you want the receptionist to |
| program, sets out the questions the host will | | | | be able to send them to your site. Next, |
| ask, and basically knows what's going to | | | | write a thank you note to the host of the |
| happen, and where the program's going to | | | | program. Not an email: you want to send an |
| go.If you have never listened to a local | | | | actual card. No one does this. And so by |
| radio talk show, do so. Listen to a number | | | | doing it, you will stick out in the host's |
| of them. Know what you are getting into, and | | | | memory. If the program went well, you |
| how the host operates.In the meantime, | | | | definitely want to be back at a later time, |
| prepare a resume, but not a regular resume. | | | | and if the host remembers you as a good guest |
| This one focuses on what you are prepared to | | | | who's helpful, informative, and easy to deal |
| offer as a talk show host. Explain what you | | | | with, you have a far better chance of being |
| have done, what you are good at, and what you | | | | asked back, over and over again.Jim Huffman, |
| know.Next, prepare a list of questions for | | | | RN specializes in natural and alternative |
| the host. These will be ones that you are | | | | healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to |
| prepared to answer, and while it sounds a | | | | Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, |
| little silly (to you) answering the questions | | | | Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is |
| that you've prepared, and already know the | | | | aimed at helping other nurses find |
| answer for, it won't sound silly to the | | | | satisfying, dynamic careers. |
| listener, if you follow a couple of rules. | | | | |