Welcome!
I am genuinely excited to have you on our show. Check your email and add your show segment to your calendar.
On the day and time of our booking, go to https://dougcrowe.link/stream
In the meantime, below are some valuable tips to ensure you are a STELLAR guest on our show.
Enthusiasm
Nothing puts people to sleep faster than to hear, “Bueller…” Vary your pitch, tone, pace, and excitement. People want to tune in. Don’t tune them out.
Clarity
You must have a clear focus on your topic and your personality. Nobody likes wishy-washy guests. The clearer you are, the more attentive your audience will be.
Professional
The worst thing you can do is focus on yourself. The best thing you can do is thank the host, call them by their first name, and give them the questions to ask you in advance. You’ll be invited back if you do so with approximate answer times. (See example below)
Conversational
Good radio is a coffee-talk type conversation. Don’t read anything… ever. You can use notes on your main points, but reading anything, line-by-line is a radio death.
Smile
When you smile as you speak, the muscles in your face create a different flavor in your voice. Get a mirror. No one can see you on a non-video podcast, but everyone can hear a smile on the air.
Current Events
Whenever possible, relate your expertise locally or to current events. If you can link your topic to current events, you’re not only the star-you become the expert. Use the headlines to your advantage.
Controversy
Babies and puppies can sell cars, but controversy sells ad space on the radio. You don’t have to endorse the KKK, but if you can be contrarian in your views and slightly controversial in your opinion, people will stick around– regardless if they agree or disagree with you.
Serve
Don’t be an infomercial. Yes…we all know your book or brand is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Problem is, nobody cares. Talk about solutions, benefits, and give till it hurts.
Succinct
You must be crisp and succinct in your answers and opinions. Droning on is not conducive to this medium. This isn’t CSPAN, so get to the point. Be on time and move the show along at a brisk clip.
Serve More
Point #9 was serving, but we’re not done. Give away your very best information. Don’t hold back. When you give away 7 out of 10 secrets, they’ll come back for the other three. But, only if the first 7 were brilliant.
Authentic
The worst thing you can do is lie or be evasive from the truth. Nobody is perfect and we all respect a come-back story. If your story has a tragic beginning; share it. Empathy creates connections.
Entertain
You are not Edward R. Murrow. You are not delivering the news. Your job is to entertain and perform. You may not be a comedian, but you have to at least be interesting. Have fun.
Audio
Your professional image will be enhanced with proper audio. There are hundreds of microphones available for podcasts. Get a decent, external microphone and use a headset. The quality of your message is vital.
Lighting
If you have an additional lighting source-use it. If not, orient your camera so natural light is hitting your face, not your background. A neutral background or one that is professional looks best.
Tease
Your primary mission is to align yourself with a bigger brand, but don’t neglect a selling opportunity. Instead of a blatant pitch, give away something for free to capture the listener’s email or phone number.
Contact
Most hosts are familiar with your intent. You want to promote or sell something and they should give you a chance to share your website or phone number. Sometimes they forget. Regardless of what happens, be aware of the time and be sure to leave your phone or website to allow listeners the chance to get more information.
Gratitude
Never start or leave an interview without showing gratitude. Thank your host (on air), thank the producer (off-air), and send a handwritten thank you note to separate you from everyone else.
Leverage
Before or after your interview, ask the engineer or producer if you can have a copy of the interview. Publish the interview on your blog and get a transcript made to go with it to boost your SEO. Link back to the host’s show for those precious backlinks.
Feedback
Immediately after your interview, if the host has time, ask for honest feedback. If they are pressed for time, set a follow-up call to get their opinion on what you can do better for your next interview. This shows humility and might pre-book your next interview!
Extraordinary
I guarantee 99.9% of radio hosts and producers have never heard a guest ask this question after an interview. Be part of the .1% and stand out forever.
“What topics do you have coming up? There may be someone in my network that can help give you some perspective or content for your next program.”
Bingo! You are a connector. Be sure to subscribe to all the shows you want to be a guest on. It is not only common courtesy, but it will help you get a feel for the show’s “vibe.”
Welcome to the big leagues.
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SAMPLE Q&A TO SEND TO YOUR HOST
Headline: What is the major benefit of listening to you for 20 min. (i.e. “How I failed my way to success”) One sentence for listing your interview
Story: Your story, journey, failure, resurrection, etc. (1-2 min. answer)
Unique theme: How is your solution different or better? (2-5 min. answer)
How do you apply it?: How did you or a customer apply this idea? (3-5 min. answer)
What is your biggest blunder: (2-4 min. answer)
What is your biggest success: (2-4 min. answer)
What would you do differently?: (1-3 min. answer)
The host will give you 2 opportunities to mention your contact information.
BONUS: Offer a special gift for your listeners. Offering a special incentive for the listeners is highly recommended. (i.e. “For your listeners, Doug, I’ve prepared XXX. They can download it here….”)