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People do it all the time. Churn out a press release, mail it to a radio station and hope for the best. As the days pass by, there are no calls and no interest. And even better, when you make a couple of calls to check on the status of the release!no one has read it!

The following are components of radio and TV press releases that will make your show idea come to life for producers and hosts, and also position you ahead of the pack.

1. Headline! Headline? HEADLINE!!!

A vital factor of your press release, headlines are such a popular topic that there are classes taught about them. Now, don't let this scare you. Writing a killer headline is definitely a skill that can be developed; all you need is a clear and concise overview of your topic.

Write down your show idea and look it over. Now look it over again, remembering that it should be an idea for an interview that relates to your book but most definitely not a summary of the book's theme or content.

What is your key message? Is your show idea newsworthy? Are there any well-known people you can tie into your topic? Do you have any impressive statistics that are relevant? Does anything controversial tie directly into your subject? The answers to these questions will help you develop a headline that will capture the attention of producers and hosts.

The headline that you choose must communicate your show idea instantly to the producer. The test is, if you can envision what the conversation will be about just from the headline - you've got it! Headlines should be limited to one sentence. As this is a lot of weight to put on a single sentence, sometimes you will need a subhead to support it. If you are using both of these elements, they should work together to form a cohesive view of the show.

The following are two examples of this combination:

Global Economic Chaos? Expert Reveals Predictions on Tough Future of United States Economy

Are Personal Conflicts Ruining Your Life? How to Successfully Resolve Squabbles in Everyday Life

2. Topic Summary

This is your chance to present a concise summary of your show topic. It should continue naturally from the headline and expand on it. Once the headline does it's job and grabs the producer's attention, the Topic Summary gives them more.

Try and keep your discussion topic to 2-3 sentences. Make sure to to tie your topic to current events, big names, big money, or controversy. Don't be worried about repeating yourself in different sections of the press release. Your goal is to get a cohesive point across! A great way of doing this is to write both the headline and this section together.

Here is an example of a headline with a topic summary.

Global Economic Problems? Expert Reveals Predictions on Grim Future of US Economy The United States is about to move into a period of major economic chaos and poverty that will wake up people to overthrow the rule of money in society in a ballot-box revolution. Let an internationally renowned expert reveal predictions on the grim future of our economy.

3. Questions

These are an absolute must for radio and TV because they are the shaping tools that guide the host through your topic. Often, hosts read directly from press releases during an interview. This not only makes them look knowledgeable; it saves them heaps of time. So why not have them ask you questions you've created, enabling you to get your specific message heard? It is a terrific way to look good and makes your interview even more interesting.

Yet again, you will need to tie in current events and any controversy that will stir interest. Use about 7-10 of these questions. For instance, here are a few questions that were used in a release for a radio show on "How to Find the Perfect Pet for Your Lifestyle":

*What are the reasons people get a pet? * What criteria should people follow when choosing a pet to make sure it fits into their lifestyle? * What can families do ahead of time to determine what type of pet is best for them? * How can families prepare children for the responsibility of caring for a pet? *What do people have to consider before they adopt a young animal?

If you do get invited as a guest, your interviews will generally last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes for talk radio and 3 to 5 minutes for TV. So make sure that your message is in bite size chunks that are easy to digest.

Remember: The more you focus your questions on the topic of your book, the more interested listeners will be in it. Well there you have it: the 3 vital elements to making your press release a success.

If you would like to learn more about gaining national and local media exposure for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Marsha Friedman would love to help. Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a PR expert Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without monthly retainers .

Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on public relations for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook "How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest" visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.