Happy New Year! What do you plan for the year ahead? If you’re working in radio here are 8 New Year’s resolutions you could consider making with podcast host Mike Russell.
This episode is dedicated to my radio presenting friends with 8 top resolutions to make if you host a show on the radio.
Radio New Year’s Resolutions
1. Stick To The Music Playlist
As tempting as it may be don’t go juggling songs or inserting new songs (especially if it’s a tune you love) the chances are you’ll be inserting a tune that’s completely off format.
2. Don’t Talk Over The Music
It’s tempting to talk over intros and outros of music, especially if it’s a radio friendly song, but what do your listeners think when you talk over their favourite track? A classic example of a music intro you should never speak over is Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty. Don’t be tempted to cut songs off in their prime – breakfast shows are very guilty of doing this due to time restrictions – plan each song you play.
3. Preview Jingles Before Playing Them
Is it a dry voice that you could drop over the start of the next song intro? Use the jingles to add flow to the radio station not to break the flow. Check tempos and don’t play a fast, hot rockin’ radio jingle between two love songs.
4. Don’t Complain About Song Rotation
Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue and The Sugababes – do you often hear the same track from them twice when presenting one 3, 4 or 5 hour show? The chances are that your listener doesn’t stay tuned for that long and they really want to hear all the popular tunes again and again. As a radio presenter you’re in a unique position to hear music all day long – often it will be the same tracks repeated!
5. Don’t Sight Read Live Reads
If you don’t practice you’ll stumble all over a commercial live read when it comes to reading it out on air. Always read scripts and practice them before you say them on air. If it’s a radio spot for a client add passion. Imagine you’re promoting the read for a friend or family member.
6. Tell The Sales Team You Love Them
You can’t host on air without them selling spots to pay your salary. Equally, radio personalities help to sell the radio station so the loving relationship between sales and talent should be a two way street!
7. No Food or Drink in the Studios
Coffee and soda especially don’t agree with expensive radio station equipment. You don’t want the studio engineer to have a fit when they have to find 5 to 10 grand to replace a mixing desk fader.
8. Remain Positive and Up Beat On Air Always
Whatever time of day it is, night shift or 6am on Monday morning, always give your best. People are listening all the time (even on New Year’s Day). Remember the well known radio phrase, “you’re only as good as your last show”.
What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?
Do you have a resolution for this year? Leave a comment and let me know!
