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Falling Short Of Expectations ...
March 29, 2022
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Air personalities like to know if they've made a connection with their listeners. Many in the audience will never call, check your social media, text, attend a remote, go to a personal appearance, or attend a concert. Whether it's terrestrial radio or any audio platform, it's mostly a one-sided affair.
It’s Awesome ...
There are moments during your career as an air talent that make you realize what you do is special. Two-way communication with a listener can be a learning experience and help you determine if you're on the right track. During your career journey, you've got to recognize the defining moments that can keep you focused.Sorry, I'm The Same Sam Weaver ...
During my days as an air talent, there was one occasion when I was humbled to the point of putting my role as an air personality into perspective. I had moved back to a city and a station after an unsuccessful stint elsewhere.It Didn't Take Long ...
Within two hours on my first night back, I answered the request line and a young male voice asked, "Are you the same Sam Weaver I used to listen to?" I said, "Yes, it's me." Then I heard the kid sigh sadly and say to someone in the background, "Yeah, it's him," then click, he hung up. It was the first time I started to reflect on the realities of my role. I learned you're never going to be everyone's favorite.One Memory Leads To Another ...
Another one of my earlier on-air personality experiences happened during the holiday season. At the time, the scenario made me think about the story I just told you.The Santa Shift Change ...
I had just wrapped up doing a remote at a mall that involved one of those rent-a-Santa's. It was my third year in a row doing this remote and I knew the "Santa shift change" routine. The Santa on duty would tell the kids he had to go and call Mrs. Claus at the North Pole. He would then disappear into a dressing room and the next scheduled Santa would head out to start his shift. The whole point of the switch-out was so the little ones would be none the wiser that there isn't really a Santa Claus.Ho Ho Oh No ...
It was unseasonably warm, and the mall had set up Santa's Wonderland area outside. The Santa who had just finished his shift came out of the dressing room side door adjacent to the Wonderland area. He still had his Santa suit on and his beard in hand. He jumped into a convertible smoking a cigarette and drove off. One problem, it was in full sight of all the kids and parents waiting in line to see the new Santa on duty. The look of shock on kids’ faces and those parents trying to explain. From that day on I never did anything at a station event that would cause a listener to question the authenticity of the on-air persona I had created.A Lesson learned ...
The two stories I just told you about have a common theme, the listening audience. All any air personality can do is stay in character when it’s called for and to do their best. You’re on target if you can do both. -
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