How to Land Media Appearances and Deliver a Great Interview

When it comes to getting publicity as an author, media interviews have proven to be a powerful way to gain exposure. They can do wonders to spread the word about your topic and your book.

St. Louis radio veteran Ron Elz (aka Johnny Rabbitt) has been in the broadcasting trenches for sixty years. At our October 8 meeting, he will share his wit and wisdom on what it takes to land radio interviews, then deliver a good one that will make you a media darling and help you sell more books.

Buckle up and be prepared to learn:

• What interview show hosts and producers look for in a good guest

  
• How to get the media’s attention so you stand out from all of the other publicity seekers
  
• What to do to prepare for an interview once you are booked
  
• How to be the kind of guest that hosts and listeners love
  
• Creative ways to use your media appearances to sell more books
  

Ron Elz is a St. Louis institution. He started his radio career in 1954, making 2014 his sixtieth year in the field. His career began on WTMV in East St. Louis. Over the years, Elz has also worked at stations in Kansas City, Houston, San Antonio, Boston, Cincinnati, and San Francisco.

He’s best known for having been with WIL-FM/WRTH and KXOK in St. Louis and for creating the Johnny Rabbitt persona and the Real Rock Radio format of KSHE in 1967. He also reformatted KADI into a rock station and was VP of Programming for a chain of five radio stations.

In 2008, he retired from WIL/WRTH to spend more time serving not-for-profit organizations and writing. In semi-retirement he joined KMOX/CBS as host of the Saturday night “Route 66” oldies show. He’s celebrating his fifty-second year as Johnny Rabbitt, a name he created, developed, and has title to.

He was honored to be one of the original inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland’s DJ section, and he’s also in both the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame and St. Louis Media Hall of Fame. Friday, March 14, was decreed Ron (Johnny Rabbitt) Elz Day in St. Louis by a Mayoral Proclamation and a Resolution of the Board of Aldermen.