It was on the radio…

This post is by Nancy Jardine

I’ve been interviewed twice for radio programmes. Experience 1 was a ‘telephone interview’ about my knowledge of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. That was a bit nerve wracking because I was scared I wouldn’t hear properly on the telephone (I’ve almost total deafness in one ear) but my fears were unfounded since the line was okay. Experience 2, a couple of weeks ago, was face-to-face with one of the live DJs at a local radio station. NECR (North East Community Radio – Scotland) is one of 3 stations which serve North East Scotland.

As requested, fifteen minutes before the ‘Morning Show’ was scheduled to start, I met the DJ named Colin. He ‘prepped’ me to ensure I wasn’t going to collapse into a blubbering blob of nerves. In fact, I wasn’t nervous at all. I think my recent speaking events/presentations and selling my books ‘over the counter’ at my Craft Fairs have helped me with projecting my public author persona. The interview was easy, though my recall afterwards was pitiful. When I went home my husband and his brother, who was on one of his regular visits to us from California, were pretty enthusiastic about my coherence and content. Sharing the interview would be against their copyright rules, so I’m afraid so I can’t add it here, though my husband made a copy on his phone which I can keep. It’s very crackly but just about audible. (Actually I hate hearing my own voice!)

I really wanted to promote The Taexali Game, my locally set time travel novel for Teens/ YA which I self- published in May 2015, however, Colin was very interested in my earlier writing of non-fiction historical books which I did for local school projects.

It wasn’t a bad thing, though, because on the Saturday following the interview at my Craft Fair at Insch (my last Wrangler post is about Insch) my table was facing the front doors. A man came into the hall, walked straight over to me and said, “You’re the author who was on the radio!” He then introduced everyone who entered the hall to me proclaiming, “Here’s the author who was on the radio!” I sold 18 novels at Insch and had two requests to borrow the earlier non-fiction works that I wrote about local historical subjects.

Maybe word will spread even further now about my writing because I also recorded a radio commercial for NECR which ran on the 3^rd, 4^th 5^th November. My biggest Christmas Craft Fair of the year is actually happening right now as I write this Wranglers post. The events are on the 6^th and 7^th November so look out for an update later on whether I think my radio advert was money well spent.

After viewing some current advice on Youtube videos for radio advertising, and reading some articles, what seemed to be best for my radio commercial was an amalgam of the following for a 60 second advert.

• The opening attention grabber…Catch the listening audience attention by asking a relevant question or by creating a need. Answer this by naming the product within the first few seconds.
• The distinctiveness of the offer…Give the listeners an enticement like something unique about the offer.
• Express the message articulately and elicit emotion from the listener…Aim for direct engagement by offering a chance to explore the product and give them the benefits of buying the product.
• Call to action…Tell them where they can access/buy the product. Focus on generating sales by highlighting the telephone number, or email, or website. Make this the main thrust of the advert.
• Provide further information on the seller and products available…Mention anything relevant which makes the offer distinctly different, though plausible.
• Repeat the call to action…Repeat the ‘how to buy’ details

Other important details to think about in no particular order.

• The advert should be enounced clearly and articulately given, ensuring that the listeners can ingest the information easily with little effort in listening. The reading needs to include/ be enhanced by non verbal communication ie enthusiasm of the voice-over person. Use strong positive language to enhance the product. Not to much info as it can overload the listener.
• Use sound elements carefully and only if it enhances the product and doesn’t detract from the listening process.
• Emphasise the local elements sensitively to avoid the ‘me-me’ isms.
• Be sure that you can provide what you say in the add i.e. authenticity.
• Choose a suitable style- Simple announcement; dialogue; testimonial; ask a person on the street/reviewer; life scenario with product given as the solution; story.
• Only use humour carefully if guaranteed to work.

I found out that NECR prefer a 30 second slot, so this is my amended and accepted script – some 45 seconds with added music. (NB – Calls to action i.e. repetitions of email and telephone numbers were zapped!)

“Looking for a unique Christmas gift? A signed copy of The Taexali Game by Kintore author Nancy Jardine is fast-paced time travel reading – a fantastic bargain at £6.  Join 3 teenagers from Kintore in a seriously deadly game back in AD 210 when the legions of Ancient Roman Emperor Severus confront local Taexali tribes at Bennachie. Meet the author at Thainstone Christmas Craft Fair 6^th &7^th November to buy signed copies, or FOCUS Craft Fairs at venues around Aberdeenshire. For details of all Nancy Jardine Novels: The Taexali Game; Celtic Fervour Historical Adventures; and Contemporary Mysteries call 01467 632954 – that’s 01467632954 – or email nan_jar@btinternet.com for postal copies. Novels also for sale at shops in Kintore.”

BTW- I recorded the ad in one ‘take’ but John, a different DJ who recorded it, told me to do a second take with a repeated telephone number. Yes- a Call to Action was added in! 

Have a lovely weekend! 

Nancy Jardine writes: historical romantic adventures; contemporary mysteries; time travel historical adventure for Teen/ YA readers.

Find her at the following places: http://nancyjardine.blogspot.co.uk   http://nancyjardineauthor.com/   Twitter @nansjar  Facebook: http://on.fb.me/XeQdkG and http://on.fb.me/1Kaeh5G (for The Rubidium time Travel Novels.) email: nan_jar@btinternet.com

Amazon Author page for books and to view book trailer videos:   http://viewauthor.at/mybooksandnewspagehere

Most novels are available in print and ebook formats from Amazon, NOOK, Barnes and Noble; W. H. Smith.com; Waterstones.com; Smashwords; TESCO Blinkboxbooks; and various other ebook stores.

My photo from 6th November- just before my banner decided to snap itself shut! My first sale was a woman who had heard the ad and came to get a copy!