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This article was submitted by Francine Silverman, author of
Talk Radio for Authors: Getting Interviews Across the U.S. and Canada
As an on-line publicist for some 80 authors, I try to get them spots on talk radio shows. I have been successful in matching guests with hosts in many instances, but in the process have discovered an interesting phenomenon – something I call “rookie radio.” This does not refer to the caliber of the show or station, but rather the lack of information on the website.
Go to any talk radio station, especially terrestrial (those on the air with call letters), and you’ll find them sorely lacking. You may find the bios of the hosts but not the theme of their shows, or the theme of their shows but no contact information, or whether or not they invite guests, and, if so, what kind?
In contrast, authors with websites seek to promote their books on their sites with a bio of the author, excerpts, guest book, articles, and myriad other ways to showcase themselves and their books.
This shortage of information not only shortchanges guests but listeners as well.
Most shows stream on the Internet, but how does someone on the East Coast know that a show on the West Coast would interest them if there is no description of the show?
Seems to me that radio hosts want as many listeners as possible so why keep their shows a secret from the public?
I studied five talk radio sites at random and wrote to each station, including the above paragraphs of my article and pointing out to them what was missing from their websites. I only received one reply – from Tom Collins, acting general manager at WBCK/WBFN/WRCC and operations director at WBCK/WBXX/WRCC/WBFN in Battle Creek Michigan.
Here is what I wrote him: “I visited your am930wbck website and found that none of the shows are clickable. Very frustrating. Most of the shows are obviously syndicated but is The Garden show syndicated? Is that why there is no information about it? As a publicist, I would love to send bios of my authors to radio hosts when I know the theme and guest criteria. But without information on the host, how to reach them, the theme and whether they accept guests, why bother?”
Here is his response:
1. Our websites are geared to our listeners and clients and not book authors.
2. Our local radio programs are caller and host driven. We don’t have many guests, other than locals. That could change if the Fairness Doctrine comes back. For now, what we do works best.
3. The last thing I want is to get even more e-mails from authors and other people who want to be a guest on the radio. I already get a couple hundred e-mails a day and I don’t want my staff bogged down with more of them either.
4. Our stations are being sold soon, and we’re not going to waste a lot of time and recourses beefing up a website that will have to be completely re-built anyway.
5. We can’t afford to hire producers to ascertain if a potential guest is any good, or will just put people to sleep, and to coach them before the show.
6. In a market of our size, us “rookies”, (who don’t know what in the hell we’re doing), have learned a few things over the years……like how to prioritize. We understand the importance of websites and our sites are pretty good for a market our size. But the local business people aren’t exactly standing in line to give us money for web advertising. We’re lucky to have a part-timer that can spend a few hours a week on our 4 websites.
7. Selling books is your job, not mine.
8. I fill out surveys all the time from firms that provide the sort of info you’re looking for. Just subscribe to one.
Here is my other research:
The Tan Talk 1340.com has no clickable programs. There is a program called Walking a Thin Line. I wanted to know if this about dieting or the police. There’s another show titled The Joy of Business. I would love to send bios of my business authors but know nothing about the show. Wrote to Lola@TanTalk1340.com but she never responded. http://www.tantalk1340.com/
WVNN, 92.5 FM and 770 AM, in Alabama apparently has two local shows – the rest syndicated. One is with host Fred Holland. Read his bio and you learn he is curious. The other host, Will Anderson, is well-traveled. Does that mean that Fred’s show is about curiosity and Will’s about travel? I wrote to the executive producer, Zack Bennett, with copies to the hosts. http://www.wvnn.com/
WAEB in Allentown, Pa – none of the shows are clickable. Along with all the syndicated shows are two that may or may not be: In the Garden, and More Than Money. Wrote to Craig Stevens, program director. http://www.waeb.com/
KCMO 710 in Kansas City is an interesting mix of clickable and non-clickable links. Here’s what I wrote: “I visited your 710kcmo.com website and found that some of the shows are clickable and some are not. Very frustrating. David Pleskac’s show is clickable and we learn that his show is about real estate. But nothing more. Does his show only cover Kansas City real estate? Does he have guests? If so, must they be real estate people from Kansas City only? As a publicist, I send bios of my authors to shows that match their genres, but only when I can determine what the theme and guest criteria are. It does state on your website that show notes, interviews, etc. will soon be coming to the site, which is encouraging. It’s more than I can say for many other radio websites.” That’s a good sign. So why haven’t I heard from them?
Stumble it!
