4 Easy Ways to Improve Your Radio Show

1. Talk to/with the listener about your co-host or guest. So many times, I hear radio shows completely ignore that one listener (times hundreds listening) and focus on the conversation happening inside of the studio or on the phone. It feels like when three people are standing around talking but the one person never looks at you and doesn’t even acknowledge you.

 

2. Drop in local references/landmarks as often and as naturally as you can. Yes, I’ve heard the argument that great content beats localization. Who says you can’t do both. There’s so much angst about national radio brands, so why wouldn’t you immerse yourself into your local area?



 

3. Be unpredictable by varying your open. It’s easy to fall into a predictable routine if you’re not purposeful and careful. The last thing you want is to sound like a robot when the song ends, and you start talking. Varying how you open your talk breaks helps keep you sounding fresh.

 

4. Be a student of pure forward momentum. Pure forward momentum is when the last song ends, THEN the next song begins, THEN you start talking. That honors the music while giving the feeling that you’re interrupting the music less.



 

HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY

I’ve uploaded examples for you to hear these four ideas put into practice. Go here to hear:



Brian Smith from Mornings with Brian & Ellyn on 90.7 HOPE FM talks to/with the listener about Ellyn.

The Q99.7’s Billy Peterson naturally drops in local landmarks and areas.



The WPER Morning Show with Eric & Heather gives examples of how to be unpredictable and fresh when the song ends, and they begin talking.

Lynn Garrett from The Family Wisconsin puts into practice pure forward momentum.

 

Todd Stach launched Beyond 615, a coaching and consulting business in 2021, where he strives to help others build confidence and discover their full potential. At the time of this article, he serves 25 shows at 10 radio stations. Todd has also written 150+ free articles to encourage on-air personalities and program directors. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.