To be a great guest you need a top notch set of media skills and knowledge. With radio and TV, you reach so many people that if you are not ready that is, prepared, you may not be able to make your publicity pay off for you. Here are publicity tips to help you do a great job. The tips include how to look and sound like a polished pro, tips on how to be promotional during the interview and etiquette tips to add to your success.

Tips! Don’t try to influence the producer’s or journalist’s original story or segment idea, even if you think you are helping. Give the media what they want. Usually these segments and stories are created by other editors or executive producers and the media you are speaking to does not have the authority to change the segment or story. They know what they want and want you to cooperate. If you have the point of view they are looking for, perfect. If not, it’s best to say no to the media rather than try to persuade them to do something different from their original plan. This way, they can book the segment and move on to the next segment. Stay on target, give them what they want if what they want is in your area of expertise, and don’t go off on any tangents. Stick to the script and they will come back again next time.

Here is a rule never to break: Never cancel an appointment or segment you have agreed to in advance. That’s right, you just cannot do this. Once you say yes to appearing as a guest on a segment, the entire supporting crew gets to work preparing and coordinating. All system go, you might say. If you suddenly cancel, a lot of people are affected and you put your media contact in peril. It was their job to secure the expert or guest and they have failed to do so. All in all, everyone gets in trouble including you. You have lost your credibility. So, say yes only when you mean yes. Never commit to a media opportunity and pull out as that will follow your publicity career.

Prepare your talking points in advance of your pre-interview or interview with the media. This way, you will appear to have command over your area of expertise and knowledgeable about the issue under discussion. You will avoid stumbling for thoughts or concepts. If the media doubts your ability or expertise in the pre-interview, they will not use you for the placement. They simply have no choice. Their job is to book top qualified experts and if you indicate you are not that, they have to move on. Everything you do is evaluated by the media with the thought in mind – is this book author or expert the perfect expert for the story or the segment? You can make the media contact confident in choosing YOU if you are ready and prepared to discuss the topic. Create at least five discussion points on the topic before you speak to the producer or journalist.

Make Sure The Media Has Your FAST Contact Info! Always provide the media with your contact info including your cell phone and fast contact info. As we mentioned, when the media moves, it moves fast. If you are actively seeking PR or are booked for a media opportunity already, keep yourself available and able to be reached immediately. If you give out your cell phone be sure it is working properly and also check your messages immediately so you don’t miss a thing.

Find more strategy on how be the media’s dream guest. If you want publicity on TV or publicity on radio, learning the skill set of an experienced and professional guest is critical. Have incredible success with your publicity and promotion initiatives by learning the professional skill set of a great guest. Find out how!