Chantal

In part one of this blog post I shared my tips on how to get onto the radio to get some free promotion. Click here to read part one if you missed it. Now in part two I?m going to share some ideas on how to get over your nerves and give a great interview.

1. Know your subject. If you?re passionate about what you?re speaking about, you will be able to answer all the questions you?re asked and provide lots of information on the subject. If you?re asked to speak about something you don?t know much about, you?ll find it harder, so make sure the interviewer knows exactly what you want to talk about.

2. Send some background information. Give your interviewer help in preparing the interview. If they have time to read up on your subject, they will be able to plan the questions they want to; it also helps you ensure that you get the right message across.

3. Do it in person. If you?re invited to go into the radio studio for the interview then go for this option, rather than just doing the interview over the phone. You?ll get more air time and more time to speak to the interviewer and build up a relationship with them.

4. Arrive early, so you have time to speak to the interviewer before you go on air. This is when they?ll tell you how the interview will go ? how long they want you to talk and what questions they?ll ask you. This will also give you the chance to mention to the interviewer anything in particular that you want them to mention or ask you about.

5. Repeat the question before you answer it. This gives you time to think about the answer you want to give. If you just rush in with the first thing that comes into your head, chances are you won?t give the best answer.

6. Pause … before you go on. You don?t have to keep talking. Take a breath and use a pause to give emphasis to what you?ve just said. Don?t fill gaps with ?ums? and ?ahs? just because you feel you have to keep talking ? you don?t.

7. Speak up! You?ll usually be asked to do a sound test before you go on air. Make sure you speak loudly enough and slowly and clearly, so that the listeners can hear and understand what you say.

Many people turn down radio or magazine interviews because they feel too nervous. If this is you, accept any invitations you get and then get some help so you can be fully prepared to do a great job and get your free promotion.