I know you have a website and use social media. Anyway, if you don’t, you should. Perhaps you even load up your car now and then with books, banners, bookmarks, sell sheets, and small bills to make change when you go to senior communities, fairs, and book clubs to sell your books. I do, and if I’m lucky, I might drive 50 miles to reach an audience of 70, sell 10 books, garner some email addresses for my newsletter, and have the next day to recover. Meeting prospective buyers is important, but you can reach a larger audience with broadcasts and podcasts. And right now, they’re trendy.

You can find these sites on the internet by googling a few key words, such as “broadcasts (or podcasts) that feature authors.” Then try other key words, such as “author interviews” or “writers.” Adding your genre of fiction (eg., mystery, romance, historical, sci fi) or nonfiction (eg., self-help, gardening, politics, jazz) to the key words will launch a more specific search.

I like broadcasts and podcasts because I can do them in my pajamas with my notes in front of me. Most are free or ask only that you make a donation, no matter how small. Once you’ve listened to determine whether the site is appropriate for your book, make a pitch to the producer or host.

To frame your pitch, keep in mind the famous quote from President Kennedy’s Inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” That is, frame your pitch around what you can do for the show. We know you want to publicize your latest and greatest book, but you’ll garner more invitations if you tell how your specialty will appeal to the host’s audience.

I write a mystery series set in first-century CE Roman Alexandria. My sleuth is an alchemist with a twin brother who trains to be a gladiator. So, I can shed light on the ancient art of alchemy, expose the malignant underbelly of the most splendid city second only to Rome, and reveal the surprising life of a Roman gladiator.

While keeping your pitch to a few paragraphs, here are some things you can offer:

• Something that counters an accepted notion. For example, I can tell how in the early years, alchemy was a legitimate experimental science, the forerunner of chemistry; how female gladiators fared in the arena, or how the thumb was really turned to signal the fate of a gladiator.
• Tell the audience about yourself, aside from your book. Listeners want to know how you came to transform yourself into a writer. Aspiring and working writers listen to these programs.
• A gift the broadcaster/podcaster can use to generate excitement in the program, such as the giveaway of a free book or gift card. And finally, explain how you intend to promote the broadcast/podcast on social media.

You’ll be more successful soliciting interviews if you focus on how you can help their program rather than on how their program can help you. So, as my mother would say,

“Get busy. What do you have to lose?”