CCM Coaching Tip #79 - The Barbecue Test

One of the biggest challenges in our format is Content.

There are lots of questions that help you put it together:

Is this top of mind?

Does the listener actually care about it?

Do you have anything to offer on this subject that's unique, and not just what everyone else will do?

Where are you going with it? Is there a chance that it could lead to listener feedback, or is just a one-off thing?

...and there are others. And in the Christian arena, there's the thing I talked about in a past tip, about how you have to EARN "ministry" moments. So hopefully, this thought will help with that challenge in particular, and be the starting place ahead of all the questions above:

Ask yourself: Is this something you'd say at a backyard barbecue, to a person you just met?

If not, why are you saying it?

This will not only quickly cut to the chase as to whether it's valid Content or not, it will also (hopefully) shape the LANGUAGE that you use, how you get to it, how you edit it, and most importantly, it'll keep you from sounding like a disc jockey (or a preacher) and more like a real person.

I know it's hard for some air talents in this format to understand how odd or slightly uncomfortable your ministry thoughts might seem to a new listener who just hit the "scan" button and landed on your station. But believe me, when faith-related thoughts just drop out of sky like a bowling ball landing next to the barbecue grill, it's...to say the least, rather abrupt.

You can't just do whatever you want every time you open the mic. Dig deeper if you want to be great.