Promote yourself on radio for free

Unless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I'm aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I say, you don't need money for some of the most valuable marketing available -- radio advertising.

If you aren't the kind of person who listens to talk radio, the next time you're taking a drive, tune in to one of your local talk shows and listen for awhile. Try to find something that is not a sports talk show, although they also offer the type of free advertising I want to explain. What you'll eventually hear is an interview. A talk show host will have a guest, who is an expert at something. Perhaps it's a health show, and the subject is weight loss and the guest is talking about some new diet.

Now, listen carefully, because you won't hear the guest babbling about his book, web site, or going on and on about his great product that is going to melt the pounds off of every fat person in America. What you will hear, in most cases, is someone who is explaining a method for weight loss that is a new approach. Now, at times throughout the show, this expert will certainly mention his product, and the host will ask the expert to tell the audience how to order it.

Even if you are an avid listener to these types of shows, and you've heard hundreds of guest experts, what you may not know is that in 99 percent of these cases, this is not paid advertising.

You see, there are thousands of talk show stations in America, and the ones that program only talk shows probably have five to 10 different shows per day. Some quick math will tell you that tens of thousands of talk shows nationwide need things to talk about and guests to keep listeners tuned in. This is where the magic comes in for you. As a new author, salesman or business owner -- talk shows need you.

Best of all, virtually anyone can get on a talk show. When I published my first book, Winning the Mortgage Game, I had very little idea how to market it, but I did know I was on a very small budget. I put up a web site, started an ezine, and it was an extremely slow beginning. That is, until I learned about being on radio talk shows. I read a very well-written how-to book by a man namedJoe Sabah about approaching radio producers and getting them to invite me to be a guest on their shows.

The second show I ever did was an hour-lomg interview on a station hundreds of miles away from my home. The producer called me at my house minutes before I was on, and the host began asking me questions about real estate finance. At various points throughout the show, he said Mark, tell listeners how to get your book, and I simply said go to www.winningthemortgagegame.com, and use the credit card of your choice. Believe me, people are much more apt to go to your web site, when they've heard you talk about your subject.

Now there are a few keys to getting on the radio and to making your appearances turn into sales of your product. First, you need the names and numbers of the stations and the producers of the shows. Remember, producers book the guests, so they are who you want to talk to. When you get them on the phone, which is not easy, be sure you are prepared. Don't just say you want to come on and talk about your new book or product. Start by telling them you are an expert in whatever the relevant field is and that you have a new system you want to share with their listeners.

Remember, this is going to be a lot like sales. You need to talk to a lot of producers to get a few bookings. Not everyone is going to jump at what you are offering. Make sure you speak in a good voice, so the producers think you'll sound good on the show.

When you do get booked, be sure you have several key points that listeners will remember, and make certain they know exactly how to get your product. Incidentally, if you want to get a great list of radio stations and their contact information, look for Joe Sabah's book. Radio talk shows are one of the best free ways to advertise you'll ever get. Take advantage.

Mark Barnes is author of Winning the Mortgage Game and several other finance books. He is also publisher of Biz Sense Online and Let's Talk Sports, weekly business and entertainment ezines. Learn how you can educate yourself and give to charity at the same time, when you purchase Winning the Mortgage Game at www.winningthemortgagegame.com. To get Biz Sense Online, send a blank e-mail to bizsenseonline@getresponse.com. To get Let's Talk Sports, send a blank e-mail to letstalksports@getresponse.com

Testing Headlines

A correspondent to AdBriefing, my monthly newsletter, has posed a... Read More

Advertising Inserts

One of the best and easiest ways to advertise without... Read More

Become a Storyteller Not an Advertiser and Watch Your Traffic Increase

When you read the newspaper, do you read advertisements as... Read More

The $500.00 A Month Plan

One way to make extra money or start a... Read More

Get Free Radio Advertisement

Here's a neat trick to get lots of radio advertisement... Read More

How to Create Ads that Sell with Little Effort

One of the main problems people find with marketing, is... Read More

Power Headlines for Promotion Success

Do you send email to your Online audience to let... Read More

Ten Ways To Sell Advertising Space Fast

1. Give your customers a discount when they spend over... Read More

Raising Funds For Your Nonprofit Using An Annual Direct Mail Program

A good annual direct mail solicitation program can produce unrestrictive... Read More

Custom LED Display

Custom LED Display, as the name specifies, facilitate control anything... Read More

Top Design and Marketing Tips from a Branding Expert

This month, we wanted to share some general tips relating... Read More

100 Excellent Words and 70 Action Getting Phrases for Ad Writing

100 Excellent Words Absolutely. Amazing. Approved. Attractive. Authentic. Bargain.... Read More

God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!

Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator... Read More

Marketing Messages with Add Zest & Appeal

Boring is one thing you can't afford to be when... Read More

How to Write Ads that Increase Your Business

I caught myself wracking my brain over what kind of... Read More

16 Methods for Getting Free Advertising

1. Place copies of your circular on bulletin... Read More

Whats On Your Business Card?

A professional business card says more about you and your... Read More

Custom T-shirts -- Put Your Company Logo on Cotton!

An effective way to gain company recognition is to order... Read More

Diamonds Are For Evil

The task of executing successful advertising campaigns for products made... Read More

The Motivational Triggers That Make People Buy

In order to sell more products and service, you need... Read More

When Advertising Wears Out

One of the challenges facing marketers is determining the most... Read More

A Lesson In Advertising From The Eighteenth Century

Back in the 1760s, the great Dr Samuel Johnson delivered... Read More

Does Your Brochure Pass the Test - Or is It Headed for the Trash? Part One

The decision on whether or not someone will read your... Read More

LED Moving Message Displays

LED's are becoming more and more popular in all kinds... Read More

Lamination of Signs

I suspect that everyone has an idea of what lamination... Read More