Tuesday, April 4, 2017

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.

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