The Lyft driver noticed my WKQX hat and asked if I was in broadcasting. I said I was and noted that he was listening to Bryan, Ali and Justin, a Chicago show that we coach. The driver then began talking about his own radio career. On the drive from the Loop to O’Hare airport I … Read more
“It’s your ear more than your eye,” said CBS 60 Minutes producer Don Hewitt. Broadcasters sometimes overlook the importance of audio. In television, what audiences hear is more important than what they see. Radio and podcast presenters have only sound to work with, but many leave its potential unexplored. Here are some secrets on effective … Read more
Remember the opening crawl in Star Wars? “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” Making the audience read was an effective way of bringing even non-science fiction fans up to speed on the fantastical storyline. Like a movie, your show needs explanation. In storytelling, this is called exposition. Clarity and detail are … Read more
If you are leading meetings with on-air talent, keep in mind that you are entertaining for entertainers and communicating with expert communicators. Talk about a tough room! In many meetings with broadcasters over the years, I have learned a lot through tough trial and error. Here are some of my favorite hacks for more effective, … Read more
Starting out, I was grateful to receive guidance from wise broadcasters willing to share their experience and advice. I also learned some things that sounded correct but turned out to be totally wrong: “Follow your passion and the money will follow.” Instead, follow what you are good at. You find what you are good at … Read more
Here are two real-life stories that underscore the importance of understanding the impacts of persistence. In the first story, the manager is constantly pushing their seller to phone their network weekly in order to get more appointments on the books. The catch is that their product serves a niche market, is quite expensive and is … Read more
In every negotiation there are risks and rewards. To make sure that the potential for reward outweighs the risks involved sellers should understand both of these perspectives: the risks clients are assessing when considering purchasing from you (hint: they may have nothing to do with what you’re selling); and, the risks you need to assess … Read more
I’ve been fired. So I have a strong dislike for firing people. In business school, we were taught that the failure of an employee is usually a failure of management. Any time we cut ties with a media personality, I lose sleep on where it all went wrong. What I’ve realized is that more often … Read more
Does your podcast begin with a commercial? How you handle ads in the opening moments of your show may determine if your listeners stay to the end. Podcasting is new, but it is amazingly similar to old-time radio. This 1939 episode of The Jello Program with Jack Benny starts with an advertisement. A minute and … Read more
Psychiatrist Sigmund Freud once said, “all behavior has meaning.” I wish I had kept that little nugget in mind as I once flew to an interview with the CEO of a large media company. After coordinating dates and times for our meeting, the CEO sent me this email; “There is a non stop Southwest flight … Read more