SELLING YOUR BOOK ON A RADIO SHOW

Performances on radio talk or news shows are the workhorses of book-promotion activities. With radio as part of your communication plan, you can reach hundreds or even thousands of people at little or no cost. You can even sell some books, if you do it right.

Most radio shows are conducted over the telephone, from any place in which there is a good connection, no background noise and where you can talk uninterrupted for the length of the show. Telephone interviews provide inexpensive exposure because the producer will usually call you. Here are several guidelines to make telephone interviews more effective:

* As you agree upon the time and date with the producer, confirm your time zone. The producer may say he or she will call you at 3:00, but is that 3:00 p.m. in your time zone?

* Do not use mobile telephones and do not ask the station to call you on a line with call waiting. Similarly, this is not the time to impress your friends by having them listen to you on an extension or speaker phone.

* Have a specific area set aside for telephone interviews, one in which you can keep your notes, books and pad handy. Unplug nearby phones if they are on a different line.

* Nobody will say, “You’re on the air,” so always assume the microphone is hot (live).

* Your host may want to give the audience the impression that you are in the studio. He or she may say, “Here with us today is Dallas Robertson, owner of the website Vanity Press Distributors.” Take the hint and do not make comments such as, “How’s the weather there?”

* While you are on hold, either before you begin the interview or during a break, you will hear the station’s regular programming. Listen for key points to which you can refer later. On long shows, the host may talk to you during the break to plan what you will discuss during the next segment.

* Give your ears a rest. Alternate the telephone from one ear to the other during lengthy segments. If you have a speakerphone, engage it during the breaks only.

* Before a long show starts, ask when breaks will occur and how long each will be. Listen for the show’s theme music, which will usually start at low volume and increase as it leads to the break. Close your answer as the music begins.

* Keep water nearby and drink it generously, but only during breaks so the sound of your swallowing is not heard on the air (and if the water goes down the wrong pipe, your coughing will not interfere with your interview).

* Keep your list of questions and answers in front of you. Refer to it regularly and make notes as you speak.

* After two or three shows in one day, you may begin to wonder if you are repeating yourself. Make notes as you speak to remind yourself of what you said earlier.

* Write the host’s name phonetically at the top of your note pad and use it during the show. Do the same with people who call in top ask you a question during the show.

* Sit in a comfortable, quiet chair. If you gesture frequently, try standing as you speak. Keep your head high to open your breathing passages; relax your jaw muscles and you will speak more clearly.

* Do not schedule telephone interviews too closely together. Invariably, one will be delayed due to an unpredictable event, perhaps impinging on the time allocated to another show.

* Rarely will you get bumped (canceled on short notice), but it can happen. If so, be polite and reschedule your show for another time.

* At the end of the show, you will get the chance to tell the listeners where they can find your book. Spell out your web address clearly.

If you are thorough in your preparation, you will alert your host to your potential as an interesting guest. You both will be relaxed, and the interview will be conducted between two professionals, both trying to create an interesting, informative and entertaining show to meet their respective objectives. When this occurs, you may be asked back to repeat your performance.

Published March 7th 2007 by Brian Jud for http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=174

LOCAL NEWSPAPER COVERS VANITY PRESS DISTRIBUTORS

From The Guardian Express, March 27 to April 2 2007 p. 10

The full transcript of the article is as follows:

"When Dallas Robertson noticed a gap in the world of publishing, he jumped online to do something about it.

The Maylands resident is the owner of Vanity Press Distributors, an online distributor of small and self-published books.

The business is an outlet for authors frustrated by traditional publishing houses.

Robertson said he had the idea three years ago while studying to be a librarian.

But it was working at a library and watching self-published authors refused distribution that motivated him to act.

"In the past, self-published books used to be of poor quality but today, with the advancements in printing and the like, the books end up looking professional," he said.

Robertson said the sales focus of larger publishing houses meant that good authors with a small target readership but something to say missed out.

"For example I get a lot of autobiographies, which is one thing I really do like about it," he said.

"They're not from Paris Hilton, people famous for being famous, but they've lived extraordinary lives in their neighbourhood."

Vanity Press helps authors who do not know how to sell or market their books.

It has been running for a year and sells more than 50 titles.

Robertson is selective about the presentation of the books he distributes but will accept books on any subject matter.

"I am not too worried about what people write in the book. I come from a library background so I believe in freedom of speech," he said.

"In publishing circles, in the past when someone went and published their own book it was regarded as vanity, because they were not good enough to get their own book published.

"I thought it would be good to take the name back."

For more information, visit www.vanitypress.com.au."

NEED A COVER ARTIST?

Have you written a manuscript and are about to self publish?

Don't rely on the printer to organise your cover.

Despite the adage, people DO judge a book by the cover (just read this article to find out - http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173). If you want to increase the chances of selling your book, your cover must be outstanding.

Warrigal Press can provide cover artists and illustrators at excellent prices. They have a list of talent on tap ready to make the cover of your book sell it for you.

Contact Bob Sheppard at Warrigal Press on 08 9295 0891, or visit their website at http://www.warrigalpress.com.au/.

AUTHORS WANTED - NO GIMMICKS!

Have you got a manuscript of around 3000 words? Warrigal Press wants you.

Warrigal Press is seeking manuscripts from Australian writers in the following genres:

• Crime
• Mystery
• Horror
• Science Fiction
• War
• Romance
• Western

If you have an exciting new manuscript of around 3000 words and are interested in joining a growing team of writers, cover artists and illustrators at Warrigal Press, contact Bob Sheppard at bobsheppard@warrigalpress.com.au.

VOTE NOW FOR VANITY PRESS WEBSITE!

If you like the Vanity Press Distributors website - VOTE FOR IT!

Webbie World is a website which allows people to vote for their favourite site. If they don't like a site, they can 'wonk' it.

Vanity Press Distributors has found its way onto their site. If you like our site, you can now vote for it! And if you don't like it - well that's cool too, because even a wonk site can still work!

To access their Home Page, type http://www.webbieworld.com/ into your URL address bar. Click on Search, then type the word "vanity" as the first phrase, "press" as the second. Then vote for it - that's it!

Check out a heap of other cool sites while you're there.