The MEDIA PROS Show

The MEDIA PROS Show


23. How to do an amazing radio interview by phone

July 26, 2021

Regardless of what you might have heard, radio can be a great way to grow your business. I know a lot of people argue otherwise, but I beg to differ.

As I have said in a prior episode, radio and podcasts are the only media where you can reach people while they are driving in their cars.

128 million people drive to and from work in their cars each day. This is a huge captive audience that you can tap into to help people and get more customers, clients and patients.

Now for a small number of radio shows, you will go into the studio to record them. In my experience, these are almost always pre-recorded interviews. But most radio interviews you will do will be done live and you will appear by phone with the host.

In this episode, I want to share six tips to help you sound great on your next radio interview. Audio quality is key since there is no visual for the listener to see. If your audio quality is bad, the listener will focus on that and not what you're saying.

Plus, these tips are all easy to implement, so you can focus on the topic and the host's questions, knowing you will sound great.
Radio interview tip #1: Use a landline.
I've discussed this tip before on this show, but it's so important that it's worth re-emphasizing.

Your audio quality through a cell phone is terrible. Remember, the host is most likely in a studio (unless they are on location somewhere). That studio has a professional microphone, sound insulation and more. He or she will sound great. You need to sound as good as possible too.

You want the listener focused on your message and what you're trying to explain to them or offer them. If they struggle to hear and understand you, your message won't land. You'll miss most of the benefits of doing the interview in the first place.

Plus, cell phone calls drop. All the time. The signal quality can be unpredictable.

Use a landline or Voice over IP line like Skype or a line from your internet provider to call the radio station.
Radio interview tip #2: Use a phone with a headset but test it first.
Some very sensitive landline phones can pick up sounds of the phone rubbing against your face, or your beard if you have one. A headset can eliminate those noises. Plus, if the interview will be a longer one, a headset can keep your hand from falling asleep.

I have a cordless phone that has a headset, but I don't use the headset. The first time I tried it, the producer told me it sounded like I was in a tunnel. Having said that, some headsets sound really good. Test it first. Have a conversation with someone using the headset part of the time and without it part of the time. Make sure to record the conversation so you can see for yourself which sounds better.
Radio interview tip #3: Use sound padding.
The goal here is to eliminate or minimize echo. There are a few ways to insulate your room for sounds to prevent echoes.

You can create soundproofing board. If you are watching the video version of this episode on YouTube, you won't see them. But there are 4 boards behind the camera and lights that absorb the sound of my voice before it hits the walls and bounces off.

They are easy to make. I got four pieces of plywood - 4 feet by 3 feet - although the size isn't that important. The bigger, the better, as long as it works in the room. Then I covered the pieces of plywood with 1 foot by 1-foot pieces of foam soundproof padding I got on Amazon. Just search "soundproof padding" on Amazon.

That kind of soundproofing works really well, but you might not even need them. But please beware of hardwood floors. Make sure there is a carpet or rug on the floor. Otherwise, the hardwood floor will cause an echo.
Radio interview tip #4: Stand up.
Standing up will give you more energy,