Radio & Podcast Phone Advice

If you’re going to be interviewed by phone for a radio station or podcast, please do the following:

• If joining by phone, try to use a landline instead of a cell phone. If you must use a cell phone, use it while stationary. If you find a good signal stay where you are during the call.
• Skype is sometimes an option if you have a pretty good Internet connection via either WiFi or cellular data. If you’re using a computer via Skype it’s a good idea to use a headset or microphone. Sometimes a Skype connection from a phone sounds good even without a headset.
• Do not use a speaker phone. They sound hollow.
• In general, the regular phone’s handset sounds better than most telephone headsets. There are exceptions so if you have a headset, see if it sounds as good or better than the handset.
• Avoid conference services or people on extensions.  PR people don’t really need to monitor your calls. If someone must be on the line, make sure their phone is on mute.
• Speak in a clear natural voice. You don’t need to shout.
• Try to keep your answers relatively short so the interviewer gets a chance to ask you follow up questions. It’s a good idea to ask in advance approximately how long the interview will go, especially if it’s a live interview.
• Be sure you’re in a relatively quiet place. You don’t need to be in a soundproof room, but make sure that TVs and radios are turned off and you’re not around barking dogs, laughing children (as much as we love them) or screaming adults.
• These are not necessarily hard and fast rules. For example, sometimes cell phones can be better than landlines and there are some cases where headsets improve call quality. And there are times when the interviewer might want you at a place with natural sound such as the floor of a convention if that’s what you’re talking about.