-
Two People Walked On Water, And You're Not One Of Them
September 10, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
If you’re on the radio it means that you’re talented, opinionated, and special…maybe just not Jesus and Peter walking on water special.
In communication, it actually matters where and when you share your opinion. So many talented DJs just aren’t being heard because they’re sabotaging the beginning of their breaks without even knowing it.
Let’s dissect why this is happening and how a simple idea could improve your show today. When you start an on-air break with your POV you’re doing nothing to capture the audience’s attention.
LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY
Many people are listening passively to your radio station as the song ends and you begin to talk. You’re not even starting with 100% attention when the song ends, and so your job is to activate listeners. Side note: please realize that as your break continues, you’re actually losing people’s attention or they’re leaving to do other more important life things. Yes, people are dropping off, so the trick is to do everything in your power to keep them engaged...especially at the beginning.
You have to say something to switch them FROM passive TO active listening, and the easiest way to do that is by putting them IN the story at the beginning.
YOU HAVE LESS THAN :12
I recently read that you have less than :12 to grab someone’s attention AND interest. Some say it’s even less time.
For example, many morning shows up and down the FM dial will start a break like, “Julie and I are so frustrated that Chick-fil-a is closed on Sundays.” Who cares what you think…at that point.
Consider infusing the listener INTO the story with, “If you know someone who loves Chick-fil-a but gets frustrated that they’re closed on Sundays there may be some good news.” See what happened there? You captured their attention and invited them to keep listening to hear what the good news is.
When you don’t activate listeners at the very beginning of a break you actually leave behind a crowd of people who just won’t join you. It's like a bunch of people at an airport who miss the tram because they were glued to their cell phones and weren't paying attention that the tram arrived, the doors opened, and then left. So, don’t leave anyone behind.
YOUR OPINION DOESN’T MATTER
I never said that your opinion doesn’t matter. In MY opinion, YOUR opinion doesn’t matter at the beginning of the break IF you don’t infuse the listener into the story right away.
This is going to sound like a commercial, but it’s the only way I can explain it properly. As a talent coach, my goal is to equip DJs with specific tools to give them more confidence. Two of those tools are 1. Your Unique Brand Diamond, and 2. The Funnel (article coming soon). Both tools give you confidence of where, when, and how to share your unique POV inside of an on-air break while activating a listener’s attention at the beginning.
If you’d like to talk more, please e-mail me.
Todd Stach is the Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com as well as coaches and consults with his business, Beyond615.com, where he strives to build confidence with clarity and creativity.
-
-