Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #603: Don’t Confuse “the Buzz” with What MATTERS

It’s easy to settle for the low-hanging fruit, in terms of Content. What “the Buzz” is may be the 34th most important thing today to your audience.

Don’t ever confuse “the Buzz” with what actually matters. Resist the easy path. Don’t ever let the headlines, or some Buzzfeed article keep you from seeing what’s top of mind – TODAY – to your listeners.

I assure you, people have other things that they’re far more interested in than what some prep sheet or news website might lead you to believe. (And don’t even start with me about the Political channels or websites. That little world that seems so big doesn’t matter AT ALL if your kid or your best friend needs help.)

When you weigh in on what your listener actually cares about each day, you’re way ahead of 99% of your competitors.

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Tommy Kramer
Talent Coach
214-632-3090 (mobile)
e-mail: coachtommykramer@gmail.com
Member, Texas Radio Hall of Fame
© 2024 by Tommy Kramer. All rights reserved.

Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #602: We All Sound Alike…Until We Don’t

It’s always been an issue, but it’s even more pronounced today, with “cookie cutter” formats so prevalent.

The sad truth is that to most people, most air talents sound pretty much alike. A bit loud, a lot of gab, sort of “announcer-ish,” usually just pretty much what we’ve always heard and gotten used to.

Digest this thought, please. We all sound alike – until we don’t.
Here’s the question: What makes you different?

If you don’t know, find out. If you can’t hear that you sound typical, get a coach. Remember that the point is to be YOURSELF, not just another “voice saying words.”

NO ONE will notice you until you do.

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Tommy Kramer
Talent Coach
214-632-3090 (mobile)
e-mail: coachtommykramer@gmail.com
Member, Texas Radio Hall of Fame
© 2024 by Tommy Kramer. All rights reserved.

Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #601: Stop Promoting the Commercials

This is primarily a Talk Radio format tip, but also a tip that I’ve given many times to TV talent.

I keep hearing things like this…

“We’ll be right back, after these commercial messages.” (The worst, and most outdated “go-away” there is.)

“We’ll step aside now, for this commercial break. (Step aside? Where? Why? Do you have to make room for it?)

“More, after this…” (“More” is fine, but there’s still that “after this…”)

“Stay tuned. We’ll be right back.” (First, don’t tell me what to do. And second, where are you going?)

“On the other side…” (Of what? Some railroad tracks?)

All of these silly ways of going to a break only POINT OUT that a bunch of commercials are going to play. Why would anyone want to put the spotlight on the most boring part of the broadcast?

Instead, just say “Next.” As in, “We’ll check out the Sports scores, next…”
Or “Back to the phones, next…”

You get the idea. Everyone knows that they’re going to hear (and/or watch) commercials. Many people just go to the bathroom, or whatever else they need to do, or whatever will kill time – usually with the sound down, if this happens on TV.

So, to borrow from Nancy Reagan’s “Just say ‘no’” slogan, “Just say ‘next’” instead of pointing a big red finger at the biggest negative on the station.

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Tommy Kramer
Talent Coach
214-632-3090 (mobile)
e-mail: coachtommykramer@gmail.com
Member, Texas Radio Hall of Fame
© 2024 by Tommy Kramer. All rights reserved.

Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #600: Planning the Show Each Day

Show prep is SO important. I’ve seen hundreds of people I’ve worked with who had no real plan, or a partial “subject list” type of prep, thinking that this is enough.

It’s not. If you want to win, and become a well-oiled machine, don’t just plan what you’d like to do. LAY OUT where each thing will go.

Pay attention to the normal amount of station “business” and promotions, contests if you have one, and interview time if you have a guest. I’d slot those in FIRST, then look at where your Content goes.
In the Talk arena, this is ultra-important. The late Pat Williams, former manager, then V.P. of the NBA Orlando Magic, used to do a show once a week on a Sports station I programmed in Orlando. He would come in with a list of every single question he wanted to ask a guest, in order, and if some interesting “side road” developed, he’d go with that, then immediately return to the questions list. He was smooth as silk on the air and did consistently amazing interviews, and he personified show prep – and he wasn’t even a full-time radio guy!

Let’s close with this: There are reasons that jet pilots don’t just fly by the seat of their pants. It’s because (1) they want to consistently be at their best, and (2) they like to avoid things like flying into a mountain.

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Tommy Kramer
Talent Coach
214-632-3090 (mobile)
e-mail: coachtommykramer@gmail.com
Member, Texas Radio Hall of Fame
© 2024 by Tommy Kramer. All rights reserved.