In nuclear physics, there’s a principle called the radioactive half-life. It’s defined as “the time required for a quantity to reduce to half of its initial value.”

Let’s think about this for a moment. If you’re in the Talk arena, pay attention to where this half-life is. Breaking into a lot of math/data, for example. Make it simple; make it brief, before someone zones out and plows into the display of pumpkins outside the grocery store.

In the music-radio arena, know where you’re going, go there, then move on. Trying to extend something is often fruitless. When you hit that downslope, the momentum (and interest) will fade.

Self-policing just a little bit can really add some ‘snap’ to your show.

I thought this was killed off years ago, but no…I heard it on a local station today.

They had a little contest, got a winner, and then at the end of the short conversation, the deejay said, “And what station made you a winner?” – to which the caller/winner said “K-TOY 98!”

Don’t. Just…don’t. This is like telling your dog to sit, then when it does, you give it a treat.

I’d recommend treating your listeners better than dogs. “C’mon, say our name. Get your jerky treat” feels like crass manipulation to SO many of your listeners.” Just celebrate the winner, and leave your idiotic “branding” effort out.

We have to treat our listeners like they’re AT LEAST as smart as we are.

If you’re new to a station, there are two questions in the listener’s mind you need to answer:

1. Who are you?
2. And why are you that way?

That’s what works. I had a morning show partner in Dallas who resisted this at first, clinging to being funny as his identity. But it was “punch line” funny.

When we got into cracking his chest open and seeing what was in there and what drove his real humor, the show clicked.

People don’t usually buy your act. They buy you, warts and all.

It’s hard for small, understaffed radio stations to cover all the bases. Many have only one live show, with everything after the morning show voice-tracked. (And sometimes, mornings are also VT.)

But what if a tornado or a huge thunderstorm suddenly poses a danger?

Here’s a solution: if you haven’t done this already, work out a deal with a local TV meteorologist to do your weather, and update the forecast when necessary. Give the TV station a sponsorship mention. They’ll get at least 365 mentions a year – for no money!

If listeners don’t trust you to be up to date and help them, then they’ll go somewhere else. Plus, an affiliation with a local TV station is a bonus for your radio station. Again, for no money. (The magic words.)