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What do radio infomercials and a possible talk radio show of your own have in common? Probably more than you think. You already know that talk radio is a staple of American life. We’ve all listened in at a heap of point. We tune in because our bestloved talk show is out there. Whether we’re on the political right or left, a health nut, gardener, travel fan or raging entrepreneur, there’s a show on the airways for each of us. What you probably don’t know is this: Not every one you listen on talk radio is on because he or she has a arousing and attention holding show. Or a outstanding radio voice. Or a fantasti way with callers. Some are just on because they’ve salaried for the privilege. It’s true. Some savvy venders actually get to host their own talk radio programs. And they’re using them to subtly (and, sometimes, not so subtly) trade their goods and services in a way conventional selling never could. Even so, and perhaps altogether understandable, those who recognise this little mystery don’t seem too eager to share it. Radio Infomercials that Sound Like the Real Thing Eight years ago, the nutritional company, TriVita, thought up a novel way of publicity their sublingual B-12: They decisive to make a radio show out of it. More specifically, a radio infomercial. We know all with regards to infomercials…the TV version, at least. Who hasn’t sat through one of those half-hour demonstrations and given at least half a thought to picking up the phone at the end of it? But radio infomercials? Today, eight years later, TriVita is still running their pre-recorded radio infomercials, and there are no signs of stopping. That’s because their infomercials, hosted by Evangelist James Robison and his wife Betty-with the assistance of Alfred Libby, M.D.-are still doing the job. Like TriVita, Focus Factor has evidently seen the infomercial light. From a modest start, the company’s nutritional infomercial is now on hundreds of stations. Not long ago, it was even listed in the top twenty infomercials (yes, there’s genuinely an infomercial top twenty just like in music). Done properly, and with just the right mix of the editorial and the promotional, infomercials may keep listeners from altering stations. That’s because the good ones sound so much like regular radio shows, with facts, stories and testimonials, that it’s tough to tell the difference. It often times isn’t until the “close” when a radio infomercial gives itself away. But, strangely enough, that doesn’t inevitably sour the believability it’s built over that half-hour of persuasive content. By then, persons have already purchased into the “format,” accepted the product (at least, intellectually), and decisive whether or not it’s for them. The key here is in how the infomercial is constructed. The smartest hosts have figured out how to orchestrate the most powerful “fake radio” shows possible. There’s Gold in Live Radio Infomercials Take Joe Battaglia, for example. Joe’s the voice of The American Advisor, a daily, fifteen-minute radio show that promotes the virtues of gold investing…and, specifically, gold laying out capital with Joe’s company, Goldline International. For years now, Battaglia’s show has broadcast three times each weekday in a rare live version of the normally pre-recorded infomercial. It’s a clever formula. The brief program starts out with a each and everyday update on gold. After that-and assorted plugs for Goldline’s latest offer-Joe takes a live call or two. Then he winds things up with a final Goldline pitch. And that’s that. But there’s galore real meat in here. It’s apparent Battaglia does his homework in presenting a compelling case for the cherished metal. And it ought to be working: The American Advisor has been the pillar of the company’s retail plans for a number of years now. The Quick and Easy Way to Create Your Own Talk Radio Show But shows like that don’t just come out of the woodwork. And even if they did, not every one would be comfortable hosting or running them. There are the often-daunting matters of scripting, timing and production-matters your intermediate expert or authority is utterly uninformed about. And then there is, of course, the potential host’s essential on-air performance. So how do would-be radio infomercial stars negotiate this steep learning curve? Believe it or not, just as there is a top twenty list of infomercials, there are companies out there that package the whole talk radio infomercial experience. One such company is Event Management Services, a veteran of the talk radio business. Included in their interesting infomercial package is the coaching help of a nationally syndicated talk show host. This radio professional scripts, formulates and hosts each show, sparing the novice host all those taxing details. That’s whether the infomercial is the recurring recorded version, like TriVita’s, or something live, like Joe Battaglia’s. Even so, whether you hire yourself a coach or go it alone, you may in all probability see the potential here. You don’t have to be a golden-tongued Glenn Beck, syndicated over a billion radio stations, to reap profits from radio infomercials and what surely appears to be your very own talk radio show. |
