When it comes to presentation, there are lots of clichés riding around in the world of radio.
The type of things that presenters say and the way that they say them.
Clichés are always there for a reason – generally because they have elements of truth to them.
You already know most of them, I’m sure.
The old classics like “How are you all today?” “Good Friday afternoon to you”, “The temperature is fifteen degrees Celsius outside XYZ-FM”.
How are we all? We’re ALL fine thanks.
Friday afternoon? Thanks for telling us what day it is.
That’s the temperature ONLY outside your radio station?
One cliché that gets a good going over and always sits awkwardly is:
‘The Interesting Fact’!
“Here’s an interesting fact…”
How many interesting facts are really interesting?
Recently I heard a presenter informing us of an interesting fact on her show.
What interested me was the fact that she thought I would like to know this interesting fact.
I don’t mean to be cruel, but why do we believe that a listener will be thrilled to know that an ostrich lays the biggest eggs, or that ants can live for two weeks under water, or that Johann Strauss was born on this date?
Where does that fit into our show? The show that is supposed to relate to the listeners lives.
OK, if you happen to be in the middle of a discussion about ostrich’s, or are doing a piece on classical music, then fair enough.
Usually, though, this isn’t the case.
These interesting facts generally come out of the blue, with no lead in and no seamless link leading to the next event.
They stand alone.
Did you know that this is a throw back to the cheesy days of radio Dj-ing? There’s an interesting fact for you!
Imagine if, halfway through this ezine, I said, “Did you know that most people’s left leg is half an inch shorter than their right leg”?
You may think, “Thanks for the info Brian, but what’s that got to do with anything”?
Imagine if you are having a conversation with your friend about the price of petrol and, in the middle of it, your friend announces that the sun sets in Barbados at 6pm every day all year round!
You may think that’s interesting, but why tell me now and what the heck has that got to do with the price of petrol??
Nothing!
And that’s what your listener thinks when you hit them with a random fact that is totally unconnected to your continuous conversation with them.
Sure, you may run a daily feature called “Interesting Facts” or something like that in order to quench your need to share. Other than highlighting them like this, there is really no natural place to put them.
The lady in question used her link a little like this (I’m paraphrasing here – no kidding):
“XYZ-FM, I’m Lilly Blank and on the way the new song from somebody or other. Cold day today with high winds and showers on and off throughout the afternoon.
I was reading yesterday that three out of five men in South Africa still believe in ghosts. That’s amazing, isn’t it? Three out of five men. I wonder what it is about that country that makes people believe in ghosts and that sort of thing? Maybe they’ve seen a ghost at some point. Still, that’s a very high average, isn’t it? Stick with us, as the news is next here on XYZ-FM”.
You can see from that link where I’m going with this.
I’m not exaggerating too much with the wording here either. It did actually come across pretty much as I’ve written above.
Where does the whole ghost thing fit into the rest of the link?
Why did she feel the need to fill with that?
Where did it lead?
What was its purpose?
And the most important question of all…
Who cares?
I don’t mean a derogatory ‘Who cares’?
I mean it literally.
If the listener doesn’t care, then what’s the point in using a piece?
Would you care about sunset in Barbados if you were talking about petrol prices?
Probably not.
Maybe at some other point in some other conversation you would.
But not now. Not this conversation.
Every link you do is a continuation of your conversation with the listener.
Each link makes up your show.
I understand that a listener won’t be with you for an entire show, but what you want to do with your link is give the impression that they are joining in on a conversation and that they are welcome anytime.
In order to feel welcome, they have to feel comfortable with the conversation. In order for them to feel comfortable, you need to make the conversation as easy to join as possible.
That revolves around your choice of material.
You are in charge of what you say and the items you talk about.
Making the conversation flow is part of your job.
Listeners aren’t generally aware of the conversation flow and that’s a good thing. It means you are doing it well.
When listeners notice a link, such as the ‘Interesting Fact’ link, it can make them feel slightly left out. You are talking about something that they probably hadn’t expected and are not ready to hear. That excludes them from your conversation and distances you from them.
In my opinion.
Have a great gig!
Brian.
brian@bmacmedia.com
Radio thoughts and bits from Brian McColl. www.bmacmedia.com
