Orbital Advice On Making The Most Of Your Radio Interview

So! 

There's an invitation for you to  reach a radio audience through an interested host / producer who has found something worth sharing in your work! 

It may be as publicity for an upcoming event, a launch or a video release or a recent newsworthy story in which you are involved, or a word-of-mouth recommendation, or just the work of some pesky publicist who is trying to get you "out there".

If the interview is scheduled for sooner than later you will likely be more on point. You will definitely be elevating yourself into a better buzz zone than for a chat a month down the line. That one will keep you up nights, drafting quirky-but-viral comments, and then it might catch you over-prepared or uninspired. 

If there is time, start Tweeting and Facebook-ing immediately and find cyber buds who will retweet; e-mail friends and help share the good news. Use whatever advance promo that the hosting media platform provides: schedules, "bumper" pages, or previews and run them through all your social and personal conduits - ALMOST - but not quite - until people are sick of hearing about it. Or get your publicist to do it for you.

On the day of the interview, send out one more energizing alert across all media with a teaser line if possible. "I'm going to talk about what really happened when..." for instance.
If it's a phoner, listen to the station early, so you can slide into their style and continuum when the time comes. Be excruciatingly prompt and available as the time approaches. Meditate, work out, or review your recent work before the call. Listen carefully to the interests of the interviewer. If you are blindsided by an inquiry, have a pivotal topic ready to divert any discomfort or embarrassment. Always express gratitude to radio, even if they NEVER PLAY YOUR MUSIC. Smile when you say it. Audiences can hear smiles.

If it's an in-person appearance, dress up. Be aware that someone is going to take your picture. If you have posters, cards , buttons, or other swag, bring a few along. NOT a bag full. Bring physical copies of your work. The station library or a fellow programmer may be interested in having a copy. Ask for water, if none is offered. Discuss your talking points with the host but don't "play your hand" by going into the details before the mic is on, or you will sound rehearsed when you try to recreate your earlier, fresher comments and attitudes. Listen to your music as it is played. Let the host make the comments. Explore those nuances that occur to you off-mic when you're on the air.  Mention everybody by name. A lot of your team will be listening in. Find out about podcasts and post show coverage before you go. Hug and pose for anyone who will let you. If you can't be sincere, be quiet. Instagram and Tweet as you go.It sounds obvious, but it is important that you take time to remember to take all your stuff, phone, water bottle, or daytimer when you leave. Nothing impresses like a clean getaway. 

When you get home, post, tweet, respond and praise the opportunity and follow up the next day with everyone who helped to create the magic of the day. Amplify any and all positive responses from friends and fans by asking the complimenting individual to e-mail  their impressions to the station.

These radio moments sometimes develop a life of their own, and you are wise going in to think of creating a lasting, radiant event, instead of an ephemeral flash.

And please, do get in touch with me me when you're ready.