FAQs for Guests and On-Air Tips
If this is your first time being a guest lecturer, or being interviewed, this list of frequently asked questions and tips may help!
The first thing we want you to know is that we’re very excited to have you joining us, and we’re going to do everything we can to make your experience a good one. (So if there’s something you need or would like, don’t hesitate to ask!)
Interview Tips:
1. Use your natural speaking voice. It’s not necessary to speak louder into the telephone, as people should be able to hear you just fine. Also, if you’re new to speaking or being interviewed, you may want to try to imitate the mannerisms or voice patterns of someone you admire or have heard on the radio or television. Do yourself and a favor – and DON’T! Not only will it come across as forced or phony, when you slip back into your natural speech pattern and rhythm (which will happen), you’ll confuse your listeners.
2. Do be happy, upbeat and energetic – not postal worker, climb to the top of a tower energetic but when you’re positive and passionate about what you’re talking about, other people will be naturally drawn to you. Of course, this doesn’t apply if it doesn’t fit your topic or subject matter.
3. Speak clearly and don’t mumble. (The best way to do this is to sit up straight, and take deep breaths before speaking and give yourself a second to think about what you’re going to say.) Also, remember to smile – a smile comes through even on the phone.
4. Before your interview, go to the bathroom, blow your nose and take a drink of water. It’s funny, but almost everyone gets a little nervous before going ‘on’. And that tends to make one’s bladder feel full – don’t know why. Also, when you’re nervous, your nose is going to get stuffy and your throat will get dry – so blow it, and take a drink – in fact, keep a glass of water close at hand, and you’ll be fine.
5. Keep the list of interview questions close at hand. It’s not unusual to get nervous during an interview, so having an idea of what the questions are going to be can help keep you focused and steady. If you want to write down some notes, so you don’t forget important points, that’s fine, but don’t write you answers out and DON’T read them. Oh, and by the way – if you’ve got notes, remember that your listeners can hear background noises very clearly – so don’t turn the pages loudly, crumple them, or otherwise draw attention to the fact that you’re working from crib notes!
6. Keep your answers short and to the point. On radio or over the phone, your audience will get bored quickly if you go on and on. Instead, give short answers and allow for interaction between you and Cheryl or you and any call-in guests.
7. If you do lose your way or forget a point, try this insider’s tip… say, “That’s a very good question” or “I’m glad you asked me that” – and then pause for a beat. This should give you time to find your place in your notes or gather your thoughts. Stay calm, and your audience will never know, and you’ll come across as smooth and professional.
8. Use a land line to call in for your interview. Don’t call from a cell phone or a VOIP service like skype, as the connection is often poor, and there will be feedback, echoes or other problems for the listeners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Help! What number do I call for the interview?
A. Check your email from Janice. She will send you a confirmation email after you’ve been booked on the show, to confirm the date and time. Then she’ll send you a reminder email sometime during the week before or during the show, and she will also send you a ‘heads up’ email the day of your interview. The number you’ll dial along with the password will be in each one of those. And if you absolutely can’t find it, get on skype and find Cheryl – she’s rainmaker4u – and her skype will be turned on at least 60 minutes before the show starts, to answer questions, or in case of connection or other problems.
If you’re a ‘Business Breakthroughs Radio’ guest, the call in number is: (323) 657-1491.
Q. How early should I call in before my interview?
A. Cheryl sometimes has problems getting connected because of international dialing, so she usually calls in at least 15 minutes early. If you’re calling from outside the U.S., you also might want to start trying between 5 and 10 minutes early. In any case, please dial in at least 5 minutes early for a sound check, and to have a minute to chat and go over any last minute questions or details.
Q. Will I receive a recording of my interview?
A. If the interview is happening on Cheryl’s Blog Talk Radio program, the show can be downloaded, or you can direct people you know to the show page to listen later on. If it’s a teleseminar line (such as for a guest lecture), then yes, Cheryl will send you a link to a downloadable Mp3 recording that you can use as you like.
Q. How can I check Cheryl’s schedule or double-check what date my interview with Cheryl is?
A. You can check her blogtalk radio page – Cheryl Antier’s blogtalk radio show – or get in touch with Janice if you don’t see your interview date listed. (Note: It can take from 1 -3 days for the show to be scheduled on the radio page.) Janice’s email address is: janicehitalia.deleon@gmail.com
Q. I’ve had an emergency come up and can’t make my interview, what should I do?
A. Emergencies happen, that’s why they’re called emergencies. So of course the first thing to do is get in touch with Cheryl and/or Janice, as soon as possible. But before you ask to cancel your interview, please make sure that it’s really an emergency. Being interviewed helps to promote your career, and gives you valuable publicity. Canceling your interview not only makes you look unprofessional, but this is a small community, and word gets around quickly. In order to let listeners know, the show will be marked ‘canceled by – and your name listed’ on the blog talk radio page. Janice will let you know by email if the interview can be rescheduled at a later date and time.
Q. It’s almost time for my interview and I keep dialing but can’t get in. What should I do?
A. Sometimes Cheryl has had this problem when calling from an international line. If you’ve dialed in and don’t hear anything, stay on the line – even if it seems like it’s taking forever, because sometimes connections are incredibly slow, but they’re happening. If, on the other hand, you get a busy signal, hang up, count to 7 and then dial in again. Get on Skype and let Cheryl know that you’re trying, and she will start the show on schedule and let the audience know you’ll be arriving shortly. Cheryl’s skype name is: rainmaker4u and she’ll have her skype turned on at least an hour before the show. (Because of the amount of chatter on skype, she often lists herself as invisible, so even if you don’t see her online, try skyping her anyway.)
For more interview tips, check out this article called “Meet the Press”