Thread: Does this even sound legit?

I got a call while driving home tonight & let voicemail get it. When I listened to the message it was an actual person (versus the telemarketers I've been getting). This guy says

"Hi my name is David and I have a radio program in San Antonio and want to do an interview. Um, we pay cash for interviews - during the week. My number is xxx-xxx-xxxx, call me."

,r:;

I thought about it for a few minutes before calling back. I figured if he was legit then wouldn't he have identified the radio station he was with, as well as given his last name and what they wanted an interview for (like if it's for a story about exercise or Halloween fun or learning to dance or the history of the Womyn's Goddess Empowerment Fertility Snake Temple Ritual Birthing Dance that bdance mimics? And why would he be calling someone 3hrs away from where there are gobs of bdancers in his own city anyway?

I called back, got his voicemail and left a message saying "Hi this is Blah from blahblahblah. I got your message & am returning your call about an interview for your radio program. I'm not in the [city] area, I'm in Killeen/Fort Hood which is about 3hrs away, however I do know of several dancers in your area I could refer you to if you like. My number is blahblahblah."

Doubtful I'll hear back. Does this whole thing even sound 'right' though? Sounding kinda scammy, to me.

Call the radio station directly and ask - or check their website. I've had a couple of people want to interview me that came across similar to this, that were legit after all. This said, ALWAYS be careful...

....b-b-but don't you wanna be famous?

I second what Zorba said. I used to work in radio, and while I loved my colleagues, the program directors and morning show producers weren't always the most articulate bunch. This could have very well been a legitimate request, delivered in the midst of a brain fart. (Remember, many people in radio have to wake up at 3 a.m. for work!)

Don't get your hopes up just yet. But I'd call the guy back and see what he's looking for before writing it off.

Recently, I was almost 100% convinced that this prospective client was pulling my leg. She only communicated via e-mail, didn't give a whole lot of information at first, and didn't return my calls until less than a week before the gig, ultimately apologizing profusely for being incommunicado. Not only did she turn out to be legitimate, but the gig was fun and I made $200 in tips that night ..l;, You never know.

Moral of the story? Listen to your gut, but don't form an opinion until you know a little bit more about the situation at hand.

I hate to sound negative, but my radar -- and non-radio media experience -- says they wouldn't normally offer to pay an interview subject. Most people consider getting interviewed for print/radio/TV to be great publicity and fun and don't need to be paid.

My gut instinct is they're looking for someone to mock/terrorize on one of those awful morning radio shows. For THAT, they might have to pay.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I hate to sound negative, but my radar -- and non-radio media experience -- says they wouldn't normally offer to pay an interview subject. Most people consider getting interviewed for print/radio/TV to be great publicity and fun and don't need to be paid.

My gut instinct is they're looking for someone to mock/terrorize on one of those awful morning radio shows. For THAT, they might have to pay.

I never would have thought of this.

Can you see if the station has a webpage with this person listed as part of the staff? Call them?
Be Safe!!!!!
I hope it's legit!!!

No radio station was named, what I quoted was the voicemail I got, in its entirety. I did call back & leave a message. No return call received as of yet.

Lauren my radar went off at the money thing, too. I've never heard of someone being paid for an interview. To appear in something that would be distributed/sold, sure, but not for just regular local media.

I haven't totally closed the door on it, I figured it's either not legit or it is and the person who called is an intern or something & didn't know what to say or whatever, idk. If the guy calls back I've got plenty of questions for him. The first being what's the interview for, exactly?

I have to admit, there's a part of me that wonders if it's a fruit loop just trying to get me to talk to him. But, that's where verifying with a radio station directly would come in. :)

google the phone #...if it's a radio station it should come up

And if it's legit maybe you can get a contract stating that you will not be a pundit for their show?

Not heard back & I've a feeling I won't. The ph# the person called from (thank you Vumber!) was the same one left in the voicemail as the callback # & is a cell phone.

thanks for the update Ruya. I was curious as what this would turn out to be.

How odd...

I still say don't be surprised if you hear something back. But don't bank on it, either ..l;,

And if you find out what station he's calling from, I highly encourage you to check out their website and maybe listen to a snippet of the show they want you to appear on - just to make sure it'll all be kosher, and all ,r:;

I also think its odd that someone would be calling about a radio interview from a cell phone, as opposed to the station office (and likewise what someone else was saying about being paid for an interview. . . in this business that just doesnt happen!)

Originally Posted by basina

I also think its odd that someone would be calling about a radio interview from a cell phone, as opposed to the station office (and likewise what someone else was saying about being paid for an interview. . . in this business that just doesnt happen!)

People who are freelancers often make business calls from their personal phones. However, they SHOULD identify themselves with first and last names and at least the name of the company for whom they are freelancing in order for their call to be taken seriously as a legitimate inquiry. I agree about being put off a bit by the offer of pay.