subject: Getting Free Radio Advertising - 3 Steps To Approaching Radio Stations [print this page] If you're planning to run some advertisement on radio stations, you would first need to know how to approach the radio stations. Of course you don't simply call up the station and ask to be given a slot in their radio shows without any preparation. You'll get rejected in less than 30 seconds.
However, it won't cost you sweat and tears to approach a radio station. All you need to do is some preparation work, and be tactful when communicating with the radio station people, so that you'll get what you wantto advertise on radio for free.
Step 1: Find out the topics of interest
One of the first things that radio people do everyday is read the morning paper, because they want to know what the hot topics are and that people would want to hear or talk about. Similarly, you can't just appear on the show and talk about your dog. You need to be covering topics or issues that interest the general public.
So, your first step is to become more alert to current hot topics and issues that people are interested in by reading morning papers everyday, such that that youll have a specific issue to tell and discuss with your listeners, even though your primary purpose is to get free radio publicity.
Step 2: Create great content
As soon as you decide what to talk about, it's time to start making content for the radio show that you plan to approach. Usually a guest spot on a radio show allows you to speak anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, or may be more, depending on the nature of the radio show.
Now, make a complete outline of everything you would want to talk about when youre on the show.
Step 3: Start calling
Now, you need to call the targeted radio stations. At this point, you might be asking: how do I get their phone numbers? Well, if you have been listening to your chosen radio stations, you'll probably realized that the phone numbers are mentioned over and over again all day long. They welcome people to call up. So call.
When your call is answered by the producer or radio host of the show, do clearly relay to the person in a professional way:
* Who you are and what you do.
* What you want to talk about and why it will be interesting to their listeners.
* Request for their permission to mention your business, products, or websites
If, unfortunately, the radio show turns down your request to mention about your business, then obviously there is no purpose for you to get onto their show. Just politely thank them, and move on to the next radio station on your list.
Repeat this until you get yourself a spot on a radio show that doesn't mind you mentioning about your business.
