Accidental Career.

When I look back on my on air career, I realise that I had a plan.
I had no idea at the time. If you asked me "What's the plan Nails?" You would have received one of my blank looks.
Huh? Plan?
It seems that no matter what we do in life and in our career, that we DO indeed have a design to it.
That is based on our personaity and experiences.
My plan was to travel, work in new and exciting places with interesting people who could teach me as I went.
Heck, I left RTE 2FM to go live in Vancouver...without a job! But it worked out!
The plan was never to stay in the one spot forever.
I have worked with some of the greatest minds in radio and soaked up all they could pass on to me.
I only know that now.
Up to 2007, I did it all by accident.
You have a chance to do it 'On Purpose'.
Do you have a plan? Some sort of road map? Do you know what you want?

I believe it is very important to ask yourself these questions:
1. Why am I in radio?
2. What do I want from radio?
3. What do I need to do to get there?

My instinct led me to where I needed to go.
Your instinct is leading you too.
The art is in tying in your 'smarts' with your instinct to make a killer combination.

When you answer the three questions above honestly, you may even surprise yourself.

Human beings have a built in need to advance and better ourselves. We take classes, go to the gym, try to eat well. We do ALL of these on purpose. We know why we do them and what the end result will look like.

Yet, in radio, I come across people every day stumbing from job to job or staying in the same job, without a plan.
Granted, your plan may not pan out 100% the way you design it...but even if you reach 50/60/70% of your vision, can you imagiine how great that would be?
Or it may go in a totally different direction and be even better than you planned.

You're doing great - now try doing great On Purpose!

Pass It On...

I came off a Skype Coaching Session yesterday evening with a guy who is going through some stuff (Hey...aren't we all)!!
Part of the converstaion dealt with how presenters want feedback. Now, I'm not talking about just an aircheck every now and then or the occasional "Sounding great" as you pass in the halls once a month.
The problem seems to be that as PDs get busier and busier holding down more and more responsibilites in the station, the time they actually have to listen to and notice the on air product is lessened. Not in all cases but definitely in a vast majority. They don't get the chance to direct programmes!
So when you, as the on air guy/girl comes knocking on the door and is asked to 'come back later', it can seem like you are not getting the support or guidance that you are looking for.
Nobody wins.
As I always say - my job should not exist. I should have no clients. Yet, here I am - coaching radio presenters across the globe - all looking for a sounding board, a second opinion, guidance - call it what you will.

So, I came up with a really easy to execute idea.
If you hear somethng on air that you like, or that caught your attention - get in touch with the presenter and tell them. Tweet them, Facebook, email, hire a carrier pigeon...it doesn't matter.
I've been doing this for years, not to gain new clients, but because it's a nice thing to do. If it's honest and comes from the heart, people respond. It may give that other person a boost. We're all human beings working in a small industry. Let's look after eachother a bit more.
Let's face it - if you sound better, then radio sounds better, then that can attract more people listen and we all win.

The video above was taken just after I finished the call, so I'm still pumped by it. Thanks for the thosands of views...and the input :)

That Takes the Biscuit.

Overheard on the radio this week...Three links, all centred around - Biscuits.
That's right. Biscuits.
Now, I have nothing against biscuits. I enjoy them. Who doesn't like a decent biscuit?
(Here's the however bit...)
Three links about biscuits!

Link 1: "What's your favourite biscuit"? Other wise known as the 'I have no prep' link.
Link 2: "What biscuit should I have with my tea today"?
Link 3: "If you were a biscuit, what biscuit would you be"?

I understand where the whole 'biscuit' element comes from. Listeners like biscuits, we like biscuits, therefore we are the same. We live the same lives as them and are therefore relatable.
Nice thinking.
However...let's get back to what radio is all about for a moment.
Radio presentation is one person speaking to another person. That's it.
The art is in making it appear natural.
I have NEVER met a person in my (non radio) life who asked me if I were a biscuit, what biscuit would I be?
Imagine your friend saying that to you.

The problem from a listener stand point is that is just sounds like you are trying too hard to provoke a response.
And trying too hard is needy.
Needy is not attractive.
You know that needy friend you have? Yeah, that one - the one you try to avoid because they're too NEEDY!?!
If you are going for interraction on air, make it less obvious.
Ask real questions.

How far can you go with the 'What biscuit would you be' bit anyway?
"Text here says Bourbon Cream...another says Chocolate Digestive...here's one for Jaffa Cakes...hmm, is that a biscuit or a cake....that's a debate for another day".
No. It's not.

Listeners are so savvy these days. They know when you are 'working' them and they don't like it.
The fact that I heard three random links all centred around biscuits in the past week leads me to think that *maybe* it's reached it's peak.
It's the Fonz on water skis.

Let's try something a bit more creative.
Like..."What's Your favourite Colour"?
Oh, been done already? ;)

And don't link with your mouth full ;)

Radio This Week - The Podcast.

3 Ways to Ruin Your Radio Show.

Click bait?
Not really.
Just three ways we can shoot ourselves in the foot while on air and take our 'eye off the ball'.

1. Not Prepping properly.
This might sound like an obvious one, but it happens. You know those days when you get caught up in your off-air life - an appointment made you late, you had too much to do in the lead up to your gig or you just weren't in the mood.
Whatever it is, it influences you when you walk into the studio.
You think "It'll be fine...I can do a four hour gig on the fly. No problem".
I don't doubt that you can...but will it be any good?
Will you be at your best? Maybe!
But the chances are, you won't.
Do yourself a favour - prep every show. You don't need to write a book...just enough to be in control of the gig.
It's amazing how many presenters arrive fifteen minutes before their gig and just 'wing it'.
Raise the standards. Watch how the big players do it.
Prep well.

2. People in the Studio.
The newscaster, sales reps, production people, other presenters...the boss!
People love to walk into a radio studio and just...'hang out'.
They are doing you no favours.
You have work to do. This is your office. It may look like you are just staring into space or killing time between songs but we know you are thinking, planning, editing, writing...whatever. The studio isn't a hang out for bored employees, just as the CEO or PD's office isn't.
Most presenters are too polite to tell someone else to "get out", but maybe we can do it nicely and professionally.
The worst part...? You have 25 seconds left on your song before you speak again. Nothing is prepped, you put your headphones on, the other person winds up their chat and then stands there as you tread water into the next feature.
You KNOW it's distracting you but you let it happen.
Find a way to have zero distractions and you will do a waaaaay better gig.

3. Paying Attention to Negative Listener Comments.
We get instant feedback these days from listeners - whether it be through text, Whatsapp or Messenger. Back in the day, if you didn't answer the studio phone, the listener couldn't contact you.
While this is all great when used properly and on purpose, it can aslo be a huge drain on your ego.
"What a stupid comment....You're awful....When is the regular guy back on air, this guy sucks....".
One comment like that can throw you, if you let it.
You can't filter the comments out but you can control your reaction.
Let me give you a quick example of how these comments should never be taken to heart: 2006, I'm on afternoon drive. I crack a joke. Text - "Worst DJ ever". Immediately after that, another text - "That was hilarious".
Right after eachother. Same gag - two completely different reactions.
Try develop a thick skin and move on. If you can. It will help massively.

We're all trying to be great, we all want to be the best.
Respect yourself and listen to your instinct.

Facebook Live from Monaco.

FacebookLive from Monaco.

Click the link to watch today's live broadcast with Dusty Rhodes at Riviera Radio.

The Sound of Silence.

I had a short but interesting conversation with a local radio CEO a while back.
He has a large on air staff...mostly freelance and part-time with the daytime on air crew consisting of four main presenters. The rest all cover various weekend and fill-in shifts.
The chat was about....coaching, what else!
This CEO believes that coaching is a waste of time and money - their time and his money. I didn't set out to debate him. I did want to listen to his reasons though.
They varied from "Anyone could do that job" to "Sure they're just in there waffling" to "I've done a few shows myself and it wasn't that hard".
I wanted to say - "So, why do you think three of your presenters have come to me in the past year for coaching"?
But I didn't!

I was reminded of this while reading about the RadioDays conference in Amsterdam this week.
Industry leaders from programming and presentation and marketing, all pitting their wits together, mingling and sharing and developing. Was that a waste of time or money? Did everyone come away from that conference thinking they learned nothing?
Nope.
The very fact that people think and ponder on what we do for a living helps develop radio for us all. Someone will have had their career changed by one sentence uttered this week. That's worth any amount of time and/or money because that 'someone' will go and advance radio for all of us.

Radio presentation, in it's simplest form, is you filling the silence between two pieces of audio.
The art is in how you fill that silence. That's the debate, that's the discussion, that's the key.
There are endless ways and each one is unique to the individual presenter.
We can analyse and dissect every nuance and put each pixel under a magnifying glass, but the simple fact remains - you are filling silence as only you can.
As with anything in life, you need support and encouragement.
"Anyone could do that job" is the obvious opposite of that.
If your PD or CEO don't know how to help you advance and improve - find someone who will. A friend, a colleague, a peer, a PD in another market, yes...even a coach (any coach...they're all different).
Reach out and contact others. It's a small industry littered with people who think BIG. Find those people and engage with them and if your PD or CEO don't know how to do that, then don't wait for them to change. It will ultimately hold you back.
It's why people travel and attend conferences like RadioDays - to connect with and share ideas with like minded people.

I'd love to have airchecked that CEO's show !!

Facebook Live Coaching Session.

Thanks to all who viewed and commented on the recent Facebook Live Radio Coaching Session.

I really enjoyed putting it together with you and was delighted with the response. Over one and a half thousand full views (all 22 minutes) and over three thousand views otherwise.
The next Facebook Live will be Thursday March 30th when I will be alongside a special industry guest.
If you would like to know ahead of time who the future guests will be and any other info...or if you have questions, why not join the FB Live Group.  Look it up in 'Groups' or just message me.

In the above video I talk about:
* Why you shouldn't always try to please your PD.
* Radio Courses - be careful where you go!
* 'Motion Creates Emotion'.

Mind Your Language.

Swearing. Cursing. Bad language.
Call it what you want. We accept it on TV, in movies and in print.
What about radio?
I asked radio people online for their views on cursing on air because, depending on how you listen (satellite for example) chances are you're starting to hear 'F Bombs' more frequently.
In Ireland, the first person I heard utter the words 'shit and 'bollox' was the late Gerry Ryan on 2FM. It really took me by surprise and I wasn't sure how I felt about it.
I recall saying 'Damn' on CKLG in Vancouver back in '91 and my PD pointing out that it was a 'no-no'.
Damn!
OK, some stations, formats and markets have zero tolerance for swearing, but if you listen to podcasts or subscribe to the likes of SiriusXM, you will be unable to avoid it. Eventually.

So where do you stand on this?
Is it just done for effect? Is it lazy? Is it real? Is it honest?

Tony Robbins curses during his live seminars because "it snaps you out of your state".
During my live workshops I consciously avoided swearing...at first. Then I realised that by doing that, I was holding back.
I'm Irish. We swear! At first it felt weird...I didn't want to offend anyone. Now when I swear on a public setting like these, it's honest. Therefore I feel my performance is more honest.

Swear words are immensely powerful.
They pack a heavyweight punch.
Due to radio's personal nature, you need to know your relationship with your listener first.
Are you their pal, confidante, uncle, mother, brother, partner...?
No one wants their older uncle throwing four letter hand grenades at them!
Your swear words WILL be heard and you WILL be judged on them.

The secret, as with everything we do, is knowing how/where/why and when to use it.
Also predict and handle the reaction...creatively.
Otherwise, what's the f**king point??

Facebook Live.

I experimented with Facebook Live earlier today...inspired, as I was, by all of the talk of viral videos earlier this week.
Here's what I have decided.
Once a week (Thursdays, to be precise) I will go live on FB for a coaching session. You can join in live or watch later.
Some weeks I will have guests. You will be given lots of advance notice who that guest is so that you can put questions or pointers their way, should you want.
I think it'll  be fun and the reaction I got today leads me to think this may have legs.
Not as many as a centipede...but legs, nonetheless.

Game Changer.

It was one of those moments when you realised the bar had just been raised and everything from now on would be compared to this one event.
For me, social media for radio stations has a new level to aspire to.
Not just me...I received messages from all over claiming this to be "Maybe the best promo video ever".
We've all seen (and probably been part of) in-house videos.
Usually a presenter or someone in the office has an idea, a "wouldn't it be funny if..." idea. Someone grabs a phone and the idea is filmed in the hallways or studio. Five minutes later it's on YouTube and receives 301 views!
No harm done?
Well.....
Depends.
If you want to shoot phone footage and post it online, then keep it for your personal accounts. Stick it on your Instagram, FB or Twitter. Your casual attitude can be endearing.
But for anything appearing on the radio station's platforms, it needs to be amazing.
FB Live is a great example. I monitor an unhealthy amount of radio and the vast majority of FB Live content consists of a person holding a phone, filming the presenter while all audio is picked up by the phone microphone.
Twelve year old kids can do a better job.
Channel 4 in Dubai work studio footage really well. Audio is from the desk feed, video is taken from mounted, automated HD cameras. Simple but effective. They run graphics and text too, in the station colours and fonts.
Their presenters have their own social media accounts but the station ones reflect the brand very well.
Q107 in Toronto is another example of proper use of Live footage. They ony ever go live when they have specific content - studio guests, online-only contests etc.
The Today FM promo is big budget and has the feel of a movie trailer...not all content can do that. However, being professional means a decent camera, decent audio and good editing. Plus a good reason to film in the first place!
Radio station online content produced by office staff on a mobile phone damages the station's image and reputation.

I watched the Today FM promo and it encouraged me to check out their website.
Job done.
By the way, as of my writing this, the only place to view the video is on the station's website and Social Media. They take full control and always bring you back to their brand.

Click here to view on FB.

What's Your Job?

Have you been learning your on-air craft for years?
Do you live in a market where opportunities are rare?
Have you seen one of those opportunities go to a 'non-radio' person?

I get a lot of messages from presenters venting that "the guy from the TV got that gig". How could management dilute the industry by using people with no on air pedigree and little to no experience? They tell me they have dedicated themselves to the industry and feel let down.

A decade ago, I might have sympathised.

But here's the deal - the industry you dedicated yourself to has now changed.
It changed over a decade ago.
Now, you need to be more than an on-air presenter.
You need other skills...like the TV or print people (or now web contributors) have. They see it all as one opportunity. They see radio, TV, print, online as one beast.


Look at this ad for a presenter in Canada - how many jobs are they fitting into one position here?

-  Producing the show five days a week possibly as a co-host to the morning show
-  Build a network of local contacts and sources
-  Write and Post one to two stories to both station website and social media sites
-  Work closely with the Talk Show show for stories and interact on air
with show hosts
-  Ability to swing host and fill in for the news room is an asset
-  Voiceover for commercials, promos, etc.
-  Update Social Media on a regular basis
-  Assist on-air staff with programming requirements when needed
-  On-air board operation required
-  Voice tracking as required
-  Any other duties as assigned 

That's one job.

Maybe it's time to be more and offer more.

Timely Advice.

I stumbled upon an article in Inc. Magazine the other day that I thought could shed a bit of light on what we do in radio.

The article centred on a few very successful businesswomen and it asked them what career advice they wish they received earlier.

I picked a few...and 'radio-ised' them!

1. "Your Differences Will Propel You Forward If You Let Them".

Great place to start. I always say that the station who hired you, hired 'YOU'. Not someone who sounds like you. Find out who you are, what makes you different and USE it. 

2. "Never Feel Hemmed In By Your Job Description".

PDs...look away now!

Jessica Verrilli of Twitter says "take initiatve and follow your instincts". Can you do that on air...in format...while pleasing the boss...? Of Course you can. With a bit of belief and planning. Which leads us to...

3. "Don't Overplan Because You Can't".

I'll take this in realtion to show prep, to mean - plan and prepare but be ready for the unexpected and figure out how to cope with it when it arrives.

4. "Don't Get Distracted by What You're Supposed To Do".

There's always something you need to do, or not do - play the ads, don't mess with the music, do a client read...The key here is to honour what is being asked of you (whatever it is) but recognise when it's time to try something. Anything. Doing only what you are supposed to do is the best way to stop your growth. Surprise yourself. 

5. "Always Know Your Value And Never Settle For Less".

Not just financially, but as a communicator. Be aware of what you bring to the radio station - when you bring in ratings, you are bringing in MONEY. Radio is a business (for the most part). What is your worth to the station?

But also, what is your personal worth to those you work with. What are you addng to their day? Keep doing it. 

Have fun :)

http://Inc.com

Risky Business.

What happens when you take a risk and it doesn’t work?

It’s not meant to…at first.

Do you remember Cherry Coke?

Not many people do. 

Coke took a risk and played around with their brand – it didn’t work. What did they learn? Keep it as it was, that’s what people wanted from their fizzy drinks.

What about Starbucks? Who would have thought that a small coffee shop in Seattle would take 

over the world? Go back twenty years and a cup of coffee was just a cup of coffee. The Starbucks people took the risk of branding ‘designer’ coffees and a giant was born. 

They took the risk and even now in Starbucks you will see flavours appear and disappear as the company tries to formulate the next great seller. They’re still taking risks.

Failure is necessary.

Are you still taking risks?

Can you bring that passion into the studio with you?

Anyone can learn rules and formats.

The greats take risks and move further.

What Can YOU Do?

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).” 
― Mark Twain

You might have seen a radio group format guide leaked online yesterday. It caused outrage and a lot of discussion about the state of radio.
Iain Lee and Danny Baker both adressed it as well as lots of industry veterans on Facebook and Twitter.
I read comments from people on the lines of "This is what's wrong with radio", "These people are destroying the industry" etc.

At first I agreed. I love radio and I love the people that create great radio. It's in my bones. I've spent twenty five years travelling and learning radio from amazing radio people. To see it marginaised and turned into a product that loses all sense of intimacy is incredibly frustrating...because we all know what radio CAN be.

Then, I thought of the Mark Twain quote (above).
It's quite easy to moan and gripe and point out what's wrong. It's easy to be that majority because we all agree with eachother. But let's look at it in a different way and try to find out what's going on here. We can't learn by agreeing!

The general line since the first person tapped in a 'www' to listen to music is that 'radio is dying'. You've heard this so many times. If we believe the hype, then we believe we are part of an industry that has no future. I have not met one presenter who believes that.

So where is this mindset coming from and why?
For me, it's driven by fear.
If radio listenership is down and radio is how we make a living, then the natural reaction is to protect what we have and try not lose any more. The management behind this form guide are driven by that desire - that desire to 'fix' it before it gets worse.
Do they 'know' radio? I don't know.
Are they 'radio people'? I don't know.
What I DO know is that they are scared. When you are scared of something, you react in one of two ways: stand still or move.
By implementing these rules, are they standing still or moving? And if they are moving, is it towards something or away from something?

Maybe they decided to react to falling numbers by going back to basics? These rules really ARE the basics.
When a footballer is off form, the coach will say 'Do the basics well'. That means, get the ball and pass it. Do that well. Nothing more.
Is this the equivalent of a radio group getting the ball and passing it?
Is there a bigger plan? Do they have a 'Phase 2'?

But to be honest - I don't care about them. They're not the bad guys (they ARE not bad guys)...they're just doing what they know. No more.
What I care about is YOU. The Radio Presenter.
What do you do when faced with this?

I always tell presenters 'Learn the rules so you know how to break them'.
That's not a flippant, throwaway piece of advice - I take that seriously.
Know the rules.
This form guide represents the rules.
Know how to break them.

"But if I break the rules I'll be fired".
Yes you will...if you don't know HOW to break them.
Creatively!
Look at Broadway Bill on CBS-FM in New York.
His links last 15 to 20 seconds...in and around the length stipulated on this form guide. Have you heard what he can do in that time? He has created an on air persona unique to him. Only he does what he does. And he does it IN FORMAT!
He creates, he innovates, he entertains and he works the rules to his needs.
You want to be creative? Here's an opportunity to create in a very tightly regulated environment.
Show what you can do!!!

Instead of being part of the 'majority' and bitchng and moaning about management techniques, ask yourself one question: "How can I make this work for me?"
Chances are you will move stations eventually. This is not your 'forever'.
Whatever is thrown at you, ask how you can learn and grow from this and use it in the future?
This management team will leave, new people will come in...maybe one of them will be you!
 
It's a challenge - guess what? Life has more coming your way.
You can either stand still or move towards.
Your choice.

By the way, last week on Facebook I asked: 'What One Thing Would Improve Radio?'
The answers (from radio people) ranged from
"Verbal Freedom", "Leave the presenting to the radio presenters", "Cut out the inane nonsense masquerading as banter", "DJs stop talking shite", "Personalities being allowed out".
Both sides of the argument on display there.
Where do you stand?

Before you automatically join the majority, think for yourself.
Then do what feels right for you.
Just remember, moaning and griping is easy - you will not be challenged for that. Everyone will be on your side. That feels nice.
Will it move you forward?
Will it help you grow?
Or will it turn you into that which you challenge?