WHAT MAKES RADIO GREAT?

 

I was recently asked by a group of station owners and programmers "what makes radio great?" 

My answer, "The Triple C."  

COMPANIONSHIP

Great radio stations and great radio talents are great companions for the listener.  It doesn’t matter the format, show or daypart.  If you do it right, you are a companion and friend to the listener.  That makes radio great.

CONNECTION

Your job on air is to connect with the listener.  You should be real, relatable and authentic.  If you are those, you’ll connect.  The more you connect, the more loyal audience you will have.  That makes radio great.

COMMUNITY

Serving your community is key.  Be in touch and connected to things happening in your area.  Be the place they depend on for local information.  Be the place businesses come to to spread their message.  Remember the words from researcher Mark Ramsey, "local isn't where you are, it's what you do."  That makes radio great.

 

NO TIME FOR NEGATIVITY

Our business is a tough one and right now seems to be some of the hardest times we’ve ever had to endure.  With tough times and uncertainty, comes negativity.  Dark, heavy, moral zapping negativity.  Some of the negativity we can't control, most of it we can.   

Here's a few ways to control the negativity and stay away from it:

Remember The Golden Rule.  Do unto others as you would want done unto you. 

Don’t gossip. 

Avoid negative people in the workplace.  Don’t feed them with your attention and time. 

Avoid reading industry blogs that are negative.  These don't do anyone any good.  Ignore the doomsayers.

Smile.  It’s simple, easy and contagious. 

Be positive.  Try to find the positive in everything.

Get up and walk around.  Don’t manage or lead via e-mail and text messaging.  One on one interaction is key.

Be a leader in your office.  It's amazing how fast people will follow a positive, engaging and motivating leader. 

Bitch up, not down.  Have an issue with something at work?  Don’t talk to your co-workers about it, talk to your boss behind a closed door.

This is radio. It should be fun.  While not everyone in your building may be enjoying their job, find the ones that are and attach yourself to them.  I bet you'll enjoy your job more.