Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I'd Bet PPM Punishes This Content

"I'll have another news update at 7:45 this morning, now let's see how we're doin' this Friday morning on the freeways..." (:10 sponsor mention) "Good Friday mornin' to ya...." (small talk with the host, then..) "there are no accidents or problems on the roads today, everything's moving smoothly right now..."

If you don't know why this might be a tune-out, please give me a call (206-498-6261) or an email and I'll open your eyes to the concept of engaging a listener, never wasting their time.

5 comments:

Facebook Thread said...

Amie Raine
I have to remind my brain of this often =)

Chris Palmer
Are there still live DJ's opening mics?

V Keith Ogurek
Hahahahaha. No. There are also no traffic speed cops, having been replaced by robo-speed cameras. Next there will be robo-judges in court. Or a robo-dr. at the clinic. After all, there is nothing more scientific than method of diagnosing a patient, right? And it's so much more cost-effective.

New York Times said...

“There’s no good radio,” said Jason Pontius, 39, a technology executive in Oakland, Calif. “Soft rock radio is like, ‘Am I really listening to this?’ But it’s the best thing that’s on.”

Albright and O'Malley said...

On Dec 16, 2009, at 10:39 AM, Kenny Jay wrote:

Jaye, the traffic part of the break (less the small talk) sounds like something you could hear in Madison. I'd love to hear what you're saying about this break...

Thanks for the reply, Kenny.

I actually heard it this morning on an A&O client station as I monitored online, prepping for a coaching session.

My guess: since you replied, you already know this.. but... just to make it a matter of record (and to make me feel better)......

"I'll have another news update at 7:45 this morning, = no one will wait for "news" today. Read http://www.602communications.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=43&Itemid=99 if you want to learn how to tease news items successfully.

now let's see how we're doin' this Friday morning on the freeways..." = If I don't know what day of the week it is, I probably don't know how to turn on a radio.

(:10 sponsor mention) = don't tell me that you're going to do something meaningful to me and then start a commercial. Give me the info first.

"Good Friday mornin' to ya...." = DJ talk crutches and cliches do not entertain. They make everyone sound the same. Create a character and bring that to life in your own unique vocabulary

(small talk with the host, then..) = same as the comment about the :10. Tell me what you said you were going to tell me, and then if you want to try to add entertainment value do it either before setting up the element or after it, if it's truly great

"there are no accidents or problems on the roads today, everything's moving smoothly right now..." = a self-cancelling traffic report. Why do a report if this is true? It's like saying "time for the news. There's no news today."

Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, Kenny. -J.

Brian Egan said...

Okay I'll bite. Here's what you shared:

"I'll have another news update at 7:45 this morning, now let's see how we're doin' this Friday morning on the freeways..." (:10 sponsor mention) "Good Friday mornin' to ya...." (small talk with the host, then..) "there are no accidents or problems on the roads today, everything's moving smoothly right now..."

Jaye,

Some may just ask you for the answer, but since I'm sooooo bored without a gig, here's my best guess at what would win in PPM:

"What did the mayor say to the town council that had everyone gasping at Town Hall last night, I'll tell you in our next news update at 7:45, Traffic's next (:10 sponsor mention) So far so good, no accidents or problems on the roads this Friday, so let's Thank God and your neighbors for that... (small talk over song intro that incorporates local event/reference, or major ticket giveaway appointment time)"

Can't wait to see what's correct!

Brian Egan
240-441-9870

Brian = I award that break and A+. Thanks! J.

Danny Wright said...

I've been known to put it in gear w/o engaging the clutch from time to time, so a few thoughts. I think sometimes we can get away with this inane stuff if: A) we don't do it often B) we're long time personalities who have built up goodwill and C) have the force of personality strong enough so just saying "good morning" will carry the listener. None of these are reasons for what Jaye rightly poiints out is a series of errors. The thing ALL radio types need to remember is that even if this is small market radio with little or no direct competition, even folks in Waterbucket Iowa now have ipods, computers, Mp3 phones - and those are ALL competitors to Happy Hal doing the weak break.

Well said and a topic we should never grow tired of going back to - connecting with listeners.

As a final note ... I'll guess the reason we hear so many empty traffic reports (or those mentioning something baffling in its smallness) is to get the sponsor mention in. I'm not even a fan of regular traffic and would prefer doing them only when something unusual is going on but they are vehicles for the delivery of sponsor dollars. ... See More

A free promo idea: if traffic is going to be particularly bad due to construction, accident, a big event - put a station vehicle wherever you legally can as close to the action as possible. Hand out coffee/sponsored soda, coloring books for kids, station logo'd playing cards, etc. Allow drivers to use your GPS and be ready to hand out flyers w alternative routes. If need be, provide (sponsored) cell calls. Hand out official "I was Late Because Of ..." certificates to give to employers for late arriving employees - with call letters, of course. The 100th person you help gets a certificate to a "Late Dinner" at a nice restaurant. Lots & Lots of ideas can turn a tune-out into a must listen.

I'm done - for now :)