-
3 Words To Stop Using On The Air
November 5, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
Some radio stations often teeter on a thin line between feeling welcoming or condemning. Maybe condemning is too strong a word, so let’s change it to “preachy.”
As you head into this “welcoming time of year” there are 3 words to stop using. Before I get to that let’s talk atmosphere.
THINK COFFEE SHOP VERSUS STAGE
If you meet a friend at a coffee shop your conversation is personal and intimate. If you’re on a stage, you’re likely to be speaking to a group. Radio is like a coffee shop atmosphere versus speaking from a stage is like a corporate, group setting. Although, the best speakers from stage make you feel like you’re having a 1-on-1 experience.
One show that I coach sent me a specific break to see if I thought it sounded “preachy.” It did because of the words they chose.
AUDIENCE OF ONE
The male co-host was talking about kids on social media and how parents should care, step in, and monitor. He was passionate and convincing in his storytelling. But near the end of the break, he lumped all parents together in a collective group by using the words “we” and “us” and “our.”
It was like he was on a stage proclaiming truths...preaching. On the other hand, if his posture was having coffee with the listener in an intimate, personal setting he would’ve used words like “I’m” and “my” to point to HIS responsibility as a parent. In church, they call that sharing a personal testimony, and others are greatly impacted by it.
HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY
In DJ breaks start with the listener and then funnel down to your unique POV. The words “we” and “us” and “our” aren’t needed. Here are some examples of what I mean:
“I’M learning to be a better parent” versus “WE all can be better parents.”
“MY kids need their dad to be involved” versus “ALL dads need to be involved.”
Near the end of your break resist widening the break back out to the “collective group” and transforming the funnel into an hourglass shape. Keep it personal and end with your unique POV.
If this was interesting to you, but doesn’t make complete sense let’s talk. The link to my e-mail is at the top of the article.
Todd Stach is the Contemporary Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com. He also coaches and consults with his business, Beyond615.com, where he strives to help others build confidence with clarity and creativity. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.
-
-