Dont Pay for Radio Interviews

It used to be that all you had to do was pitch a great idea with a clever hook, and you'd be booked as a guest on a half-hour radio show.

These days, however, hang onto your wallet. A new breed of radio host is insisting that guests fork over a few hundred dollars--sometimes more--for the "privilege" of being on their show. Some guests, desperate for exposure for a new book or project, willingly pay the money. Then they're disappointed when they get little feedback from listeners, or the show leads to no product sales.

There's nothing wrong with the concept of paying money for air time. But there's a name for it. It's called advertising. Joe Sabah, author of the book How to Get on Radio Talk Shows All Across America says that if you want a legitimate interview, no money should change hands.

"With more than 740 radio shows all over the country willing to book guests for free, there's absolutely no reason why anybody should have to pay," Sabah said.

A different twist on the same theme involves a radio station approaching someone and offering them their own weekly show on a particular topic, then telling them they must charge guests to appear. That means that if a host comes across someone who they think would be a great guest, they can't book them if the guest can't afford to pay.

Why, suddenly, are some radio interviews no longer free?

The radio industry has been going through sweeping changes in the last several years, with many stations being bought or sold for hefty amounts, and that means they're trying to entice people like you into paying the freight.

Joann McCall has an interesting perspective on the problem. As president of McCall Public Relations in Portand, Oregon, she specializes in generating publicity for authors. She also has been a radio host, interviewer and newscaster for 18 years and hosts a radio show with her partner, Debb Janes, called "Janes McCall & Co.," on KKSN radio in Portland.

McCall says the practice of charging guests has become acceptable-even though it isn't right.

"Having someone approach you to pay for an interview is like buying a radio infomercial," she said.

McCall advises that guests don't pay. Instead, when you hear a sales pitch, simply reply, "Pay for an interview? I don't need to. Thanks anyway."

"Don't be bullied by these people," she said.

Joan Stewart, a.k.a. The Publicity Hound, shows you how to use the media to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation, sell more products and services, promote a favorite cause or issue, and position yourself as an employer of choice. She publishes "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine on how to generate thousands of dollars in free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.PublicityHound.com and receive by email the free checklist "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."

---

How To Share Your Success Story Without Sounding Like You Are Bragging

A great way to celebrate your achievements and capitalize on... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Make Your Web Site a Resource for the Media

Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More

Inoculate Yourself Against Bad PR

What is bad PR?Well, if you're a business, non-profit or... Read More

Top Ten Tips For Great Sound Bites

If you're an online business using public relations (PR) to... Read More

A PR Question For Chinese Managers

As the practice of public relations in China continues to... Read More

What Does Your Telephone Say About You When You Are Away?

Business to Business relationships come to expect a certain level... Read More

PR: Am I Getting a Good Deal?

You are getting a good deal when you accept the... Read More

How to Write a Press Release

Why You Should Write Press Releases: A press release is... Read More

A Great Way to Do PR

As a business, non-profit or association manager trying to get... Read More

Can Your PR Game Plan be Salvaged?

If, as is often the case, you are preoccupied with... Read More

Media Relations: Minority Media Matters

Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More

How To Get Radio-Active PR For Your Non-Profit Cause: Part Three of Three

HOW TO BE RELAXED AND EFFECTIVE ON-AIRHow does one stay... Read More

Write Press Releases That Dazzle

When a reporter is wowed, intrigued, surprised or captivated by... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Its Not Who You Know But What You Know

Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and... Read More

Boost Your Business by Partnering with a Non Profit Organization

Is your business looking for new and creative ways to... Read More

Managers, Got a Grip on Your PR?

What are you trying to do with your business, non-profit... Read More

Financial Planners, Make Sure Reporters Comprehend Your Topic

Don't assume that a reporter understands financial planning. If anything,... Read More

Crisis Management

The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More

3 Reasons to Tap into the Power of Publicity

Publicity is obtaining editorial coverage or features for your business.... Read More

Creating Your Online News Room: How To Build a Site The Media Will Love

From time to time, people ask me how public relations... Read More

PR Power: How to Write a Killer Press Release

I'm what we in the business (the "business" being journalism)... Read More

PR: Room at the Bottom?

When special events and communications tactics rule the PR roost... Read More

Networking: 17 Essential Strategies In The 21st Century

It is virtually impossible to succeed professionally and personally without... Read More

The Story The Media Really Wants

If you're like most of my clients, you're probably interested... Read More

Youve Done PR the Hard Way Long Enough

As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More

Publicity: The Best Things In Life Are... FREEE!

One portion of your marketing plan that you probably don't... Read More

Grandma Says...

Southern grandmothers have often said, "there are only three... Read More

How About MANAGING Your Own PR?

It's one thing for a senior manager to approve story... Read More

Celebrities Cant Have It Both Ways

Corporations are willing to pay substantial amounts of money to... Read More

PR? Why?

Well, for starters, because good public relations can alter individual... Read More

Mind Your Own Business!

And the best way to mind your own business is... Read More

How Would You Ever Know?

Your important outside audiences behave in ways that stop you... Read More

All Youve Got To Lose Is Everything

Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More