How To Give A Killer Radio Interview

Whether you are appearing on local or national radio it can be really daunting, particularly if it’s a brand new experience! Stressing about stuttering, stumbling or forgetting what you meant to say, it can be a huge challenge! Yet it doesn’t have to be! Following these tips can help simplify the process and ensure it achieves what you need it to; you might even enjoy it!

  • Think about what Radio Station you’re appearing on! If it’s Radio 1, you’ll need to focus your content on the National impact – don’t talk about your county, talk about the Country. BBC Radio Gloucestershire on the other hand, the focus should be localised – why will it affect the people of Gloucestershire or why might they enjoy it?
  • Why did they ask you on it? Whilst Aunt Mable’s bunions, or your dog’s vet bill might be your highest priority, it’s unlikely they asked you on the radio to talk about it. Think about what triggered their interest. You’ll have been asked on as an ‘expert’ because you know about this subject; if you don’t, then you’re probably not the right person!
  • Don’t be afraid to ask. Unless you’re involved in a breaking news story, the radio will be preparing the interview in advance; they’ll know how long the slot is, what they are hoping to achieve and possibly even the rough questions they want to ask. It’s worth asking for a brief and they’ll give you as much or as little as they can; sometimes, they won’t have the questions prepped or will have a policy not to share them, but it’s always worth a cheeky check just in case. Extra tip: If they do give you the questions, DON’T write and rehearse answers line for line; first, you’ll sound boring and uninspiring and second, radio presenters like to ad lib, asking you questions that directly result from your previous answer – no good if you’ve learned by rote! 
  • What is your point? You know what everyone else is trying to achieve, but what about you…? Are you trying to get people to an event, raise money for a cause, convey an expert opinion on a topic and therefore influence opinion etc.
  • Be prepared. Before the interview, write down or memorise four or five key points that you want to include. If you are running an event, it might be the date of the event, the dates the tickets go on sale, the key activities / acts / facts and the website. If you are fundraising, it might be the charity name, the fundraising method, how people can donate and what your target is. As above, don’t write long answers and memorise them – you won’t be invited back again, but make sure you have your facts handy so you can give organic, but structured answers to the questions. Extra tip: they won’t be expecting you to have the word proficiency of Shakespeare, but they will be expecting you to have decent and well-thought out answers. Keep your vocabulary straightforward so you are easy to understand and avoid one word answers which kill an interview dead!
  • Don’t forget to self-promote. Radio stations will expect a little plug, but it does need to be little. You shouldn’t end every answer with your web address – they’ll get you off the show quickly – but you should remember to reference yourself a couple of times, and plug the website once so people can find out more. Don’t waste the opportunity, but remember it isn’t a billboard either!
  • Take a deep breath or six.There’s nothing worse than a squeaky voice or non-stop rambling bought on by nerves. Just take a deep breath, stay focussed and concentrate.

Radio interviews can be fantastic promotion for your brand, product or event, so don’t waste them; but remember, once it’s out, you can’t take it back, so avoid any personal opinions, political stances or controversial statements, unless it’s the focus of your interview or you can handle the fall out!

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