Now that I’m into my sixth year of broadcasting a weekly radio talk show, I must say that my one-hour radio show has done more to establish me as an authority in my field than any other activity I undertake. In fact, it has been so easy, that you can do it, too.

Before my show, I was doing the things ordinary agents do. Then one day, I got the idea to have my own radio show. But I wasn't a radio personality - what would make a talk show work?

Here's how I do my show: My radio show, Real Estate Focus, is aired live, and I encourage listeners to call in. I have a guest and four short features, which include a live mortgage update over the telephone from one of the show’s sponsors. The other features are the Community of the Week, a tip from a very knowledgeable home repair specialist, and finally a legal tip from a local real estate attorney.

The live interviews include all kinds of special guests -attorneys, pest control company representatives, builders, home improvement specialists, dress-your-house-to-sell consultants, water filter company representatives, the real estate commissioner, mortgage lenders, and the list goes on and on. Anyone who has anything to do with real estate has been or is scheduled to be on the show.

You'd be surprised what kind of celebrities you can get for a real estate show. I even had the governor of South Carolina on the show one week. I’ve not had any problems lining up guests for the show. The renowned David Knox was on for a full hour one Sunday, as well as the well-known Eric Tyson, author of House Selling for Dummies. Guests will cancel anything for the chance to be on the radio.

In addition to the show itself, I get lots of publicity from the radio station. My program runs every Sunday from 3-4 PM on a very powerful am station, with a range of about 85 miles. The radio station representative and I structured the program to have 16 promotional commercials each week, on which I announce the guest speaker and invite listeners to tune in. In addition, the station runs 14 commercials weekly about me and my services. I end up with 30 spots each week.

Because the radio show has been such a success, the station now airs daily real estate tips, which run during the morning and afternoon rush hour. I personally record these tips, which feature one minute of timely information for the marketplace. I also feature these tips on my web site, jerryfowler.com, so that when a listener misses a tip, he or she can go to my site and read it. I add a fresh tip each day, seven days a week.

Listeners don't just happen - I actively work to promote the show. I publish a list of guests who will appear that month in my newsletter, which is mailed out each month to 1,300 past clients and prospects. I fax a promotional flyer to all the real estate offices in the area and have at times even allowed other real estate agents who are having open houses to call us live and talk for one minute about their house.

I promote the show each week in the newspaper, in my real estate magazine ads, on the Internet, and on special flyers, which has really boosted the show’s popularity in the Columbia area.

It may sound harder than it is, but it is really very simple to set up this type of show and if you choose your sponsors carefully, you won’t have to invest any money into it.

Your only investment, in fact, is one of time -the hour you spend sitting in the studio each week, and the time spent promoting and preparing the show. How much time? I've got it down to a few hours a week.

Several times while out showing properties, I have delighted my clients by bringing them into the studio with me and serving them a late lunch while I do the show. They seemed to enjoy the break and most people love to see a broadcasting studio. It’s unbelievable how much credibility you establish in your community by doing this type of radio show.

The show has really boosted my professional life. The biggest benefit I get from the show is, of course, name recognition. Listeners who call to ask questions or who want me to list their house are very loyal clients. For some reason, hearing you on the radio each week makes the listeners believe that you are an expert on all real estate related matters. I have generated an unbelievable amount of business as a direct result of the show.

Sound easy? Give it a try. You can host your own radio talk show, too.

Published: January 14, 1999

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Jerry Fowler, Real Estate Broker, CRS, CBR - The Results Team REALTORS®, Columbia, SC 29210. Email: mail@jerryfowler.com or visit my web site: http://www.jerryfowler.com - We get results that "Move You".