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Listeners Can Feel You Meandering
June 30, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Topics: radio show, radio personality, radio host, radio, on-air
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There’s a difference between just winging it versus knowing where you’re headed in an on-air break. Let’s agree that most on-air personalities are well-prepared and have at least a general direction of where their conversation is going. Maybe you can relate to this.
One of the shows I work with was coming across as unsure during certain kinds of on-air breaks. It wasn’t from the stories of their own lives. The conversations that felt like they were meandering came from online show prep. So, I pointed that out by saying, “I get the sense that you’re literally scrolling through the online story while you’re doing your break. It feels like sometimes the mouse wheel scrolls too far and you’re stalling to find your place in the article.” They answered me with, “Yup that’s exactly what happens.”
A SOLUTION THAT WORKS
My simple solution was for them to copy and paste the important parts of online stories into a Word document. But not to stop there. Edit out the newsy language and remove the extra details that just aren’t necessary. That one simple idea helped make their stories concise… and they don’t sound like they’re meandering anymore.
HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY
As a radio talent coach, if I can feel you meandering your listeners can too. So, imagine your on-air breaks are like an amazing steak. Cut away any excess fat so that your listeners can enjoy the delicious meat of the story. As a result, that just might make you more consumable and memorable.
Trimming stories is just another tool for your on-air tool belt.
After spending 30+ years working at some really great radio stations, Todd launched a coaching and consulting business, Beyond615.com, on March 15, 2021. There he strives to help others build confidence so that they can connect on a deeper level. He also serves as the Contemporary Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.
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