4 Ideas To Improve Your Radio Show (Part 2)

In this two-part series, you can be inspired to approach your on-air shift differently and even consider some blind spots that you may be unaware of. Check out part 1 if you missed it.

PART 2: SOUNDING MORE NATURAL & PORTION CONTROL

Great on-air talent sound natural when voice tracking or reading liners/promos. To some, it comes easy; but for others, it’s a learned skill. The same goes with knowing when to stop talking; the innate ability to exit the conversation at the correct moment.

SOUNDING MORE NATURAL

It takes talent and practice to have a successful live on-air shift. Voice tracking is also a learned art form that’s just as important.

You may struggle with sounding too formal, scripted, or simply uncomfortable at times. Part of the issue may be that the radio station liners/promos include words that you’d never use in real life.

Also, if you struggle with slower pacing, consider “rushing through” your voice tracking. Even if that sounds weird, it really seems to help a few others who I coach. Knowing what to say and how to say it is only half the battle; realizing when to exit the break is the other.

PORTION CONTROL

Imagine if you sat down at a fancy restaurant and the waiter dumped everything you ordered in front of you all at once. Your hot food would get cold and your cold food would get warm. There’s a reason that your journey through the menu starts with drinks, then salad and bread, your entree, and finally dessert and coffee.

The same goes with conversations on your show; know when to serve the necessary portions. I’m a big fan of giving the listener what they can handle, and then leaving them wanting more.

HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY

Focus on improving in these 4 areas and you’ll most likely gain more confidence and build deeper relationships with listeners:

1. Voice acting
2. Preparation
3. Sound more natural
4. Portion Control

After spending 25+ years in radio, Todd launched a coaching and consulting business, Beyond615.com, on March 15, 2021. There he strives to help others build confidence so that they can connect on a deeper level. He also serves as the Contemporary Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.