How to do Talk Radio/TV

Know the show and the personality of the host before you go on. Keep your audience in mind at all times. Better yet, if they're farmers, for example, think about one individual farmer and address him.

Be "real" and fun on the air-not an official spokesperson. The audience will want to relate to you as a person. Let your personality shine. The best talk radio shows have guests who have energy and strong opinions. The shows only keep their audiences by being spontaneous, controversial, humorous, enlightening and provocative.

The show may be a recruitment vehicle for us so the audience may imagine themselves on an ACDI/VOCA project. Help them live the experience in their imaginations. Invest your story with personal recollections and reactions. Give a flavor of the country. How did you get involved in this kind of work? You can be honest about problems you encountered.

The audience may want to know why we conduct international economic assistance, so be prepared to make the argument that ACDI/VOCA efforts, for example, improve relations and create better future customers for the U.S. If you encounter hostility (e.g., "Why do we send people over there to help the competition?"), it's a good idea to validate the caller's concern ("I used to wonder about that myself.") and then answer it with facts, stories, questions and concerns of yours ("Most of our customers in the future will be in the developing world. Don't we want them to be able to afford our goods?").

If it's a rural audience, don't forget its interest in selling U.S. commodities, inputs, farm equipment, etc., and keeping America strong and safe. However, don't strain to make a point-better to tell an enjoyable (but brief!), illustrative story. Other possible subjects of interest: attitudes about the U.S., family life, typical day, geography and weather, money, markets, the role of government, politics, privatization, transition from communism, technical agriculture and business issues. The host or producer will probably talk to you in advance to discuss topics and the flow of the program.

Remember, radio and TV are about entertainment. They are fast-paced. Give listeners reasons to stay tuned. They don't want to hear the bureaucratic line or boring statistics, and they don't care about obscure names and titles. Take advantage of TV by using your photos and other visuals. Look professional. Be wary of pure white, black and red colors as TV cameras can render them fuzzy. The standard for men on TV is a blue shirt.

Time generally passes quickly (there are introductions, commercials, market reports and other network housekeeping chores, callers, etc., that take up time) so be sure to isolate a few important points that you will cover in the course of answering the host's questions. Think through the language you'll use and try to keep comments brief and catchy. Practicing out loud beforehand helps. Smile (even if you're on the radio because you will sound friendly).

Possible subjects of interest: money, markets, the role of government, politics, privatization, family life, technical/professional issues. Did you have fun? Did you get sick? How did you handle the language? But don't carried away with the personal or frivolous-be sure you convey a sense of the work and its value.

If you're on radio via telephone, use a hard-line phone (not a cordless). Take a series of deep breaths before you get underway and get comfortable. Have water, any notes, papers and other resources you may want to refer to, as well as a pen and paper in front of you for notes about things you want to say. Write down the name of the host and any callers so you will not forget.

If you get callers from listeners while on a show, try to find something to agree with in their questions. Then respond with your own insights.

Please use the name ACDI/VOCA and give credit to the U.S. Agency for International Development or other appropriate donors and collaborators, but don't sound like a commercial. You're on the show because of the inherent interest of your story-not because you represent us. State that information about us and listings of the wide range of volunteer assignments are available at www.volunteeroverseas.com or www.acdivoca.org and be prepared to give our toll-free number, (800)335-8622.