radio broadcasting – performance

7/31/2019 RADIO BROADCASTING PERFORMANCE

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RADIO BROADCASTING PERFORMANCE & FORMATICS

PERFORMANCE POINTS

1. Pick topics about which you really carea. If you are interested, you will make it interesting2. Use a strong show opening or monologuea. Focus the topicb. Engage the audience by forming a questionc. State your opinion or position on a talkable topicd. Explain your view through example, experience, or storytelling

i. If you must read, make it sound like youre not reading3. Never be boring!

a. Get rid of dull guests immediatelyb. If you are bored, it is boringc. Protect your on-air product

4. Dont take calls (emails, texts, tweets) just because they are therea. They are tools for you to make a better showb. Work with your producer to use things that pace the show well and

enhance it

5. What if the interview or topic goes wrong?a. If you are not getting the response you wanted or asked the wrong

question, change the story or example a little, or recompose the

question to engage the audience differently

b. Reset the topicc. Add something new

6. You can change your minda. Your opinion can changeb. Always tell the truthc. Dont be afraid to admit you dont know something

7. Take a risk on the aira. Understand not everything you say will be popular, even if you feel it

is true

b. Be careful if you are heading into a gray area. (Ask permission)c. Dontoffend people

8. Use your off switcha. Practice moderationb. Know when a bit is over, and stop talking at that point

9. The day you wished youd stayed in beda. Not every show will be your best show

i. You may not feel wellii. Your rhythm may be off

b. Look for reasons why you might have been offi. Hungry?

ii. Not enough sleep?iii. Inadequate show prep?


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c. Do it differently next timed. Just a poor show?

i. Let it go!ii. Move forward

10.Treat the staff you work with respectfullya. They have an impact on your performance

FORMATICS

YOUR NAME NAME OF SHOW NAME OF STATION CALL LETTERS/DIAL

POSITION (OR INTERNET ADDRESS)

Structure

- People want to know to whom they are listening and what they arelistening to

- Ratings are counted (somewhat) by recall- Repetition, repetition, repetition- Encouraging listeners to listen longer

Five More Minutes

- Invite. Dont tease. And invite like you mean it.- Invite a mere five minutes ahead- Dont do the full reveal. Keep something up your sleeve by inviting with

a hook that tells your audience whats in it for them.

- Invite frequently. Invite five minutes more listening time any time theressomething coming

o News promote it and what comes after ito Changing topics why staying around will be worth ito Going into a song whats coming after ito Prior to the next guest listen in, join in

Make an Appointment

- When you invite listeners more than five minutes ahead- Tell exactly when something is going to happen

You Are Invited

- Make listeners feel they can join in whenever and still be welcomeOvercoming Resistance

- Formatics are important- Audiences have short attention spans- Listeners join at many points of the show- Radio is in the background


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TALK RADIO FORMATICS

- Never let a listener feel the format (keep formatics stress free for them)- Traffic on the eights- Dont announce breaks

1. Open the hour with your name, the time, and the call letters.2. Do some short opening comments, if you have any that day which may ormay not be your main topic.

3. Launch into your monologue, i.e., engage the audience with youropinion/position and storytelling.

4. Ask the question. This is your tightly focused topic.5. Give out the phone numbers (or other ways to interact).6. Take a break, using proper formatics: Use the term up next instead of take

a break.

7. Open the floodgates (phones or other interaction) after your first break.8. Reset the topic by asking the question going in and out of each subsequent

break (again, using proper formatics).

- Formatics Tipso Recap names of guests, segments, and featureso The listener wants consistency but not predictabilityo Pull the listener into the radio with you

Not Its 72 degrees out there, or Over in Greenville Dont push the listener away

o Sell the benefit Why should they be listening?

o Use real language Talk on the air the way you talk in life

o Connect with the listener Tell me, dont read to me Write some key words on a card and tell the story

o The rule of one Do one main thing per break

One thought, plus your formaticso Hit the target

Have a specific profile of your listener and speak to ito Promote ahead

Dont say coming up after the breako Dont tell the listener what to think

Not Heres one youll really like Dont tell as much as finding a way to involve the

listener

o Sell the dream first, before you give the information Sell the sizzle, not the steak Seek an emotional link with the listener

o Have a road map


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Know how you are starting Have a destination in mind Know how you re ending Move on

o How to edit phone calls Keep unnecessary parts off the air (pleasantries, etc.)

o Formatics for callers Identify each caller by name and place, and, after they make

their point, they get a brief and sincere acknowledgement

of their call

o Reset the stage Let the new listener know which voice belongs to which

person and what that persons role is

o Break the habit of taking a break You are almost never breaking away. Everything is part of

your show.

o Dont panic if you need a moment Do not be afraid of a moment of silence Do not panic Collect your thoughts, rather than rambling aimlessly

- Difference Makers for Ratings sakeo Before each break

Tease what is coming up or reset the talkable topic orengaging question

Involve your audience. Use a cliffhanger to keep themcoming back for more, staying through a break, or just

listening longer.o After each break

Reset include your name, dial position, topic (focusedquestion), phone number (or other contact info), and time

check (if relevant)

o Aircheck regularlyo Keep practicing

To escape criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

---William Teacher

Ifyou bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do

not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

---Jesus (supposedly)

radio broadcasting – performance

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