Call Radio Talk Shows

Phoning a radio talk show takes only minutes and reaches thousands of listeners. Here are some tips for making your calls effective.

Try local shows

Call national programs if you wish, but local programs are easier to reach. Call as soon as possible during the show, even before the lines are announced as open.

Be ready

Have your point ready before you call. Keep a glass of water nearby in case you need it as you may hold for a long time. Turn your radio down once you are on the air to avoid being confused by the broadcast delay.

Keep it simple

Speak slowly and make your point simply and succinctly. Avoid jargon or acronyms. Plain language persuades more people than political speak.

Stay calm

If a host argues with you, just repeat your point and avoid an argument. Even if a host or guest gives you a hard time, listeners will have heard you.

Make it personal

Share any personal connection or relevant experience you have, or grab listeners’ attention with a local angle. Are there strong civil liberties concerns in your area? Is your region struggling economically? Help connect seemingly far away issues to hometown realities.

Experiment

Call your favorite shows, but try some new ones as well, including ones that tend to differ with your point of view. Sometimes the best opportunities come in unexpected place

Be positive

Thank the host and address her or him by name. If you think your question or point might meet some resistance, make a positive connection to a point made by a previous caller or the host to open things up.

If you are new to calling in and feel a little intimidated, remember that you don’t need to have all the answers. Just speak from your heart, and enjoy yourself!