Is there a formula for creating a winning radio station or show?
Top talent coach, Valerie Geller says: “The answer is yes, and the formula has three parts:”
- Tell the truth.
- Make it matter.
- Never be boring.
Successful shows and stations throughout the world also share these seven essential qualities
Quality
Content is our strength. Listeners get their news, music, and information from many places. You need personalities who can create and deliver powerful content that can’t be gotten elsewhere.
Find and hire talent who can create that great content.
Real talent is rare; it exists from within, and you can’t teach
- It can only be developed or discouraged. Recognising talent is a talent of its own.
- Uniqueness
If your listeners can get the same thing online and from other stations, why would they listen to you? If you want to win, be predictably unpredictable. Add to the listener’s day.
Take your audience on original journeys, offer new information, entertain with humour, or introduce them to characters they can care about. Inspire. Give them reasons to listen to you.
- Care
Do you care about the people in your audience? Give back to your community. Help wherever you can. Show concern for the listener’s issues or problems.
- Team Up With Sales
Money makes your broadcast possible. It’s easier to sell a station you’re proud of. Create alliances, support your sales team in every way you can, and market to those with the power to say yes.
- Product, Persistence, Promotion
This is the formula for any business to succeed. Have a great product. Do it consistently over time. And then market it so people know where to find it.
- Digital Savvy
Right now, these are the hottest jobs in radio. Every successful show or station needs someone dedicated to the care of your digital space.
- Powerful Storytelling
There are no boring stories, only boring storytellers. Never be boring. A story should matter to you if you want it to matter to an audience. Draw material from your life, the community, the news — if you are interested, it will be interesting.
