- Landing Book Interviews and Increasing Sales - Saginet55 at Wikimedia Commons
Locating a talk radio show that fits their book's subject matter is the first step writers can take to increase their book sales. Book writers are encouraged to visit the radio station they are interested in landing one or more talk show interviews with. Both offline and online radio stations conduct interviews with book writers.
Writers and Online Talk Radio Shows
Many online radio stations have a search box at the top of their homepage. Writers can type the genre of their book in the search box and examine what comes up. They can also see if the online radio station has a drop down box that list radio programs by subject (i.e. self-help, business, sports, home improvement).
After book writers and authors find a talk radio show that focuses on the subject matter covered in their book, they are encouraged to email the talk show host. They should paste a copy of their media kit with:
- Author biography (one page is sufficient)
- List of published books, articles, white papers, etc.
- Prior radio, television and Internet interviews
- Edcuational background (be sure to list communications and journalism degrees
- Work or community experience
- Half a page synopsis on the book
List key reasons that one is interested in interviewing on the online talk radio program. This demonstrates an authentic interest in the program itself. Highlight the benefits that the radio program, host and the radio station's audience will gain from the interview. Be specific. Close the email with a line of appreciation. For example, book writers could close with, "Thank you for encouraging literacy across the nation, particularly in high school dropout areas."
Book Authors Landing Talk Radio Interviews
When it comes to offline radio stations, writers can contact the station director, a disc jockey or talk show hosts they want to interview at the station with. Many offline radio stations have an online presence. Craft a cover letter to send to the radio station asking to appear on the show. Again, be sure to list specific benefits that listeners will gain from reading or learning more about the book.
Include a brief biography with a photo head shot and a list of other works one has created with the cover letter. Address the letter to the station director, disc jockey or talk show host by name. This shows that the writer has done their homework and is not simply sending interview requests to as many radio stations as they can.
Writer Resiliency and Success
A concise book synopsis can help station directors, disc jockeys and talk show hosts to determine whether the book is a fit for their audience. It can also be beneficial for writers to keep a spreadsheet or other type of database of the radio stations they have contacted with the station’s contact information. Following up with a radio station to request a second interview can yield rewarding results.
Stay encouraged. With effort, consistency and resilience writers can and will land interviews. In time, they might even have radio and television station hosts contacting them to request that they appear on air for an interview.
In addition to conducting interviews on other radio stations, authors can access companies like Blog Talk Radio, National Public Radio and Voice of America to create and host their own radio program. For example, the author of a home improvement book could create their own “Home Designs in Less Than an Hour” radio show. The author of a recipe book could host a “Three Delicious Meals a Day” talk radio show.
Blogging and Local Newspaper Bylines Help Promote Books
To market and promote their books, book writers and authors can also:
- Blog about their book’s subject matter
- Write for their local newspapers (and request that the newspaper allow them to include the title or URL of their book in their byline)
- Network with other book writers and authors to distribute posters, fliers and bookmarks about each other's books.
The advent of online commercials and book trailers, are news ways that writers can tie visual and sound appeal to their books. Technology makes it easy and quick to create videos using cell phones, photographs and other instruments. Reading articles about book marketing also help writers to acquire knowledge about different ways to spread the word about their book titles.
Book Writers Doing Their Homework and Putting in the Effort to Grow Book Sales
However, business savvy writers know that they have to do the work. They know that they have to put in the effort to find answers to their specific questions, discover new (not yet tried) ways to market their books, land the best editors, literary agents, printers and publishers.
Business savvy writers (whether their books are printed through a major book publisher or whether they self-publish their manuscript) also understand the value of appreciating each book buyer. These writers will not stop at marketing and promoting their books. They support other writers and business professionals, especially those who have helped them to grow their writing career.
Writing and publishing a book can be an incredibly rewarding and exhilarating experience. With solid business skills, marketing efforts and grace, professional authors can reach their target audience and increase their book sales. Business savvy writers will also make good friends along the way as they both give and receive each time that they network with other movers and shakers in the book publishing industry.
Rhonda Campbell - Reading gave me entrance into the world of writing. As a kid, I loved to read. I still do. I was in the fifth grade when I started ...
