Artist First Radio - OH

Just like magazines, radio shows need content to attract listeners, which then attract advertisers. Why should authors pay a "donation" to provide that content? In addition, I've never, ever met an author who sold more than a handful of books after being on a radio show. I'm sure best selling ... See more g authors can do it and even unknown authors writing about celebrities (or airing taped phone conversations with George Bush), but it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for regular folks like us. Most people listening to the radio are in their cars. They're not online where they can order products nor are they holding a pen and paper, trying to jot down the name of a book. (Though I have seen people driving WHILE READING books!) One author I know, whose book is doing pretty well through her own online marketing efforts, was on a nationwide radio show. She sold less than 5 copies of her book. I had to gently explain to her that the radio is just not a reliable marketing vehicle for authors. Add to the mix that many young adults are now listening to their iPods, MP3 players and other music gadgets. Richard read an article the other day about how listeners just aren't tuning into radio stations like they used to. While radio station owners are guffawing the impact, I can absolutely see the trend emerging. I myself haven't tuned into a free radio station in weeks. Between my iPod (all music, no ads), my Satellite Radio (very few ads), and my Weather Radio (for emergencies) I just don't need or want regular radio anymore. I think this is the article Richard was talking about: http://www.ibj.com/html/story022805forum.html I stopped doing radio shows long ago because, in my own experience and from the experiences of other authors I've talked to over the years, radio shows just don't sell many, if any, books. While I never paid to be on one, I never sold enough books from those "appearances" to justify the time spent doing them. Now, let's consider the new radio shows being produced online. Many have a very targeted audience, and the listeners are sitting at their computers (and can order your book) while listening. I would probably agree to be on some of those shows, if the listening audience closely matched my book's target audience. But, I would NEVER pay to be on one. If anyone does try to get you to pay for an appearance, you should find archives of their shows and contact past guests to see if they think it was worth it. (Hint: Don't ask the show for contact info. for their references. Those can't really be trusted. Do your own research.)

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