In today’s fast-moving media environment, the opportunities to build your profile on the airwaves as an authority in your sector with organisations spanning BBC Radio Leeds, Radio 5 Live or independent local radio news – are more prolific than ever.

As a former BBC radio reporter and news editor, I used to interview thousands of people on wide raning subjects and then select the most appropriate ‘soundbite’ to play on the news bulletins. The value to the interview is very powerful as they can appear on 2 to 3 consecutive news bulletins.

In my current capacity as a media trainer, my company is commissioned by public and private sector organisations UK wide (Bradford Chamber and North Yorkshire Police Authority). I always ensure my candidates can conduct both live and pre-recorded radio interviews confidently and competently. Follow the tips below and tell us about your radio debut!

Where and when?

• Make sure you’re on when someone’s listening. Best times are 7.00am-9.00am, then 1.00pm-2.00pm and 4.30pm-6.00pm
• Offer to come to the studio and do it live, even if it means getting up early
• Recording on portable recorders is next best, especially at an interesting location
• Only agree to a telephone interview as a last resort
• If the reporter’s coming to you, choose somewhere quiet, unless the ambient noise adds interest
• Use background noise creatively (remember, the pictures are better on radio!)

How should I perform?

• Be friendly, lively and enthusiastic, but don’t put on an act. Convey your own personality and your message in your voice. Smile
• Be intimate. You’re talking to ONE listener. Choose someone you know and picture them
• Avoid abstractions. Use vivid, human examples to ‘paint pictures’ in the listener’s mind
• Remember the soundbite. Think up a particularly quotable three or four sentences and include them
• If you must use notes, make them bullet points and DON’T read from them – audiences can tell
• Don’t thump the table, crinkle papers or clink jewellery

Remote studios

• Assume the microphone is live until told otherwise
• Listen hard
• Answer when it’s your turn
• Butt in when necessary, with confidence or not at all

Phone-ins

• Be civil to callers, even rude ones
• Write down callers’ names so you can refer to them
• Flatter them; “That’s a fair point, but the real issue here is”
• Take notes if you wish