When I heard that Walt had passed away my first reaction was that he always called me by name.
He had been an executive for a major league club that I’ve been involved with for over 25 years. We would see each other every spring when I would occasionally interview him for a season ticket holder event. Walt and I traveled in much different circles so we certainly weren’t buddies; but maybe that is the point.
Continue readingThis is primarily a team show tip and Talk show tip – but for anyone on the air who has a partner, or interviews a guest.
Whenever another voice overlaps yours… you stop talking.
The worst thing on the listener’s end of the radio is two people (or more) talking at the same time.
So here’s how it works: when the other person interrupts you, STOP … for a moment, then go on. You’ll never talk over each other (or a guest) for more than a word or so, and for a team show, this will lead to getting REALLY well-coordinated – fast.
They say opinions are like noses; everyone has one.
The boss, the Facebook posts from listeners, the sales manager, or the weekend disc jockey, everyone has an opinion on what your station should be doing to be better. At least for them.
On this Mother’s Day I wonder what Mom would say!
Continue readingNote: This is subjective!
It’s said that “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
But I believe that the way to a woman’s heart is through her children.
Men will talk about their kids, but it seems to me that it’s usually to brag about them in some way. However, it’s my experience that a woman will talk about her kids because she wants to share why they’re unique.
Choose wisely the path you take, because it’s easy to just travel down the wrong road and BANG!… the listener tunes out.
On last week’s show I took to the driving range on what CCM programmers can learn from The Masters.
My co-author Tommy Kramer lofted the first drive reflecting on the name itself, The Masters, asking if your station’s name and imaging are ‘something that defines a different level, an ideal, like the Masters? ONE WORD can stand out among all others.’
In watching this remarkable tournament, I realized that the Masters isn’t about mere golf at all, like your radio station isn’t about the mere songs, artists, tours, deejays, and contests. Each is about something more meaningful.
Continue readingWay too often, I hear an air talent send someone to their Facebook page (or some other social media entity). I have to ask, “Why?”
If you’re doing your show on Facebook Live, for instance, that’s fine. Otherwise, don’t SEND them to whatever social media site you follow.
If someone is listening to you on the radio, chances are that even if they are checking their social site, they’re doing that mindlessly. If they’re really engaged with social media, they’re not actually listening to you.
We’re first. RADIO. Radio is BY FAR the biggest “social media” entity. Over 90% of people in the United States listen to the radio EVERY day.
Rarely do I watch hours and hours of a sporting event of a sport that I rarely watch. (My grammar checker just blew a gasket over that sentence).
Rory McIlroy is now a part of my sports vocabulary. Frankly, so is Harry Diamond. And maybe that’s the point.
Continue readingChurch people know this. There are two times in the year where churches can expect a lot of visitors. In fact my church this Easter had four services in the morning, twice as many as a typical weekend. That’s because Christmas and Easter are more familiar holidays to the masses, often based upon family traditions and activities.
The programming lesson we can learn is nothing short of transformational; familiarity is preference.
Continue readingTrying too hard is something that every good air talent goes through. Getting past it takes a bit of self-realization.
Looking at it in acting terms (because we are all voice actors to a degree), “reaching out” to the camera (the viewer) is the wrong perspective.
Let the camera (or in our case, the Listener) reach out to you. Overperforming is a drag. When you “reach,” it’s exaggerated.
Just settle down. Simply be there and be what you are, and let the Listener reach out to you.
Opinions are easy. Emotions are… more difficult. These two things are related, but they’re not the same.
The revealing of an Opinion is fine, but the revealing of an Emotion tops that.
An Opinion is subjective. An Emotion is clear and undeniable.
So sure, let’s hear what you think. But let’s also hear what you FEEL.
