The Difference between Uplifting and Corny

The words we see listeners repeat most often in research of the CCM format are “Positive” and “Uplifting.” These two words STAND for something that’s dear to our listeners, who are tired of Politics, and weary from months and months of the worst pandemic in a hundred years.

We are (or at least, should be) a “safe harbor” from mean-spirited social media postings, arguments with friends and family members, and a general feeling of not being ‘grounded’ like we once were.

Let’s take “uplifting” and look deeper into the execution of projecting this on the air – both live and in our stations’ Imaging.

If it sounds hollow, phony, or insincere, it won’t work. Period.

But if it sounds “over the top” – too syrupy or like some self-help seminar – it won’t work, either.

So on-air, if you haven’t already done this, start today with only moving FORWARD on the air, without the “we all know the last year has been a drag” type of “introduction” into your Content. Even the mention of it FEEDS it and keeps it top-of-mind. Just deal with “glass half full” perspective, and leave the baggage of the past (even just the recent past) behind.

And in Imaging, let Listeners resonate the “uplifting” message WITHOUT bragging on yourself. When you follow up a compliment with more quacking about you, it stains it. Simply attaching your name to it is all you need.