Happy 2010 radio people!!

I was just listening to an area radio station today, I won't mention the station...and I was not happy with what I heard.  As a radio professional, and a listener, I felt it was very bland, generic, and vanilla.  The music was fine...many stations have good music.  Its what we do around and between the songs that make a difference.

Maybe its the reduced revenue, and subsequent reduced staff at some stations that have the morale lowered.  Or maybe its just complacency or laziness.  What I heard was an air personality, or rather, an "announcer" just going through the motions.  What was missing?  Two things:  "announcer presence", and actual "personality". 

Lets stop, reset, and wake up the personality in us!!

First...announcer presence.  This means that the jock has a presence on the show, and is an intregral part of the show.  If the jock only talks 4 times an hour, and even then doesn't say much, then there is no announcer presence.  Especially when you are live, I'm sure most listeners would rather hear a quick talk set over a ramp.  So turn on the mic instead of hitting up another boring, generic recorded liner!  When I know the jock is live, and I hear liners between songs 4 times in a row...eeesh! 

OK.  Now, personality.  Say something other than the usual "radio-ism's" (time, temp, song intro and outro, etc).  It doesn't take much.  Look at a news website like msn, or AP if you have it.  What's going on?  Any late breaking news?  A recent sports score?  Any weather news (weather is not just for weather forecasts, it makes good conversation too).  What have you seen locally?  What did you see on the way in to work?   Get some info on the artist you're going to play next.  Talk to me (your listener).  Teach me something.  Make me think.

I'm available to be your affordable air personality coach, and would love to help improve your on-air presentation and your career...for one jock, or an entire station's worth.  Call me at 507-450-4604.

Lets keep local radio alive and well and profitable.  Have a great 2010.