I have been on the air with Kevin Miller on Boise’s 580KIDO for as long as Kevin has been on the air, I think 15 or more years and I thank him for the opportunity. Whether you listen or not, for me it was about finding a place to be heard and Kevin, years ago, gave me that opportunity when no one else would. It has been great to interact with him and other callers and listeners for so long and I am humbled that people seem to enjoy my thoughts. Since free speech is far more important than I think people realize, being heard is being denied if people don’t take every opportunity to use it and this post is to encourage people to consider using it too while they consider a few thoughts along the way.
Being a regular caller on the radio is a fun, challenging and interesting activity. Over the years I have learned, though, that it isn’t as easy as one would think. You don’t just call in and open your mouth when asked and although some do, if you desire to be compelling there are a few things that I thought I would share with you from my perspective.
The first thing to remember is that it is never about you. People can spot a self-serving blathering soul on the radio in a second. Sure, there are some people that accuse others of being self-serving anyway because they may feel like we think we are smart or that we are better than anyone else but you would get that anywhere since I have found that people are threatened by people they perceive to have authority if you wear a suit, are eloquent, if you know things they don’t or merely on the television or the radio. The truth, at least for me, is that some of us are just regular people trying to help share information that may better educate or share a perspective that may not have been previously thought. I have been told repeatedly; it is about content or you’re your worthwhile contribution to the show. There are those that may not possess talent and content that just want to be a part of something greater than themselves and who can blame them.
Second, remember, it is a radio show, to be informative and entertaining, not a documentary or something else. It is a free speech engagement platform. Knowing this the host must realize his target audience and how to appeal to them. Then there is the issue of growing the listener and reader base. As a part of a corporation, their job is to be profitable and corporations, like each of us, do not like losing money. It is important to also note that when you work for an employer there are things you can and things you cannot do and if one does not adhere to those standards, they are replaced.
Other things to consider are call in timing. It is important to note when the radio station has commercial breaks. When you know these, you can better calculate the best time to call knowing if you choose less opportune times, you run the risk of getting cut off. If you have something worthwhile to say, however, your listeners will perceive that you may have been cut off and there isn’t much you can do to overcome that, other than knowing they appreciated your content and wanted you to continue your thought.
Another important issue is being aware of how you sound and where you are as it relates to background noise. You don’t want to have the radio or television on or converse with others while on air. Sitting in the bathroom, turning on the sink or flushing the toilet, cooking in the kitchen or washing dishes and bodily noises are also highly ill-advised. Remember instead to sit quietly and respect the host and your listeners. Understand that what you say, how you act, what you say, and your background noise not only directly determines the professionalism of the station and the show but how you will be characterized by your listeners. If you want to be taken seriously, take your opportunity seriously. Also remember that the host, once you are on air, has little control of what you say or how you say it other than to end the call so be respectful.
There is much preparation required by the host, often being done while most of us are asleep. Deviations can be throwing the agenda out the window if not kept in check.
Understand the process of the host. Be aware of the topics and do not deviate unless he allows it and leads you to deviate, it is disrespectful and if you wish to deviate, make sure your deviation is somehow related to the topic at hand and make sure to clarify the connection as not to lose the host or the listeners. When I first started calling in, there were times I forgot what to say and at times, I even commented on something wrong because I didn’t wait long enough to understand what they were talking about. Make sure you understand what is being said before you comment or it could backfire and cause you some embarrassment, like has me.
Be aware that you either may or may not be cut off, it may just be time for periodic commercial breaks that occur regularly and frequently. I have been told that people tell me they wish I would not be cut off, but I am aware that depending on when I call, I may be up against a hard break and if I cannot complete a thought in time, the break will happen anyway.
Then there is matter of forethought on your part of the subject matter and the possibility of being challenged and pushed into a corner on air on purpose or even unintentionally that may cause you to get flustered until you know how to handle it. When I began on air, I used to have a pen and paper in the car and when I called in, I would begin by just reading those thoughts on the air and ending the call. Eventually, as I became more comfortable, I no longer needed notes. I recommend this highly as it will keep you on track and in the good graces of the host and not derail the flow of the show as well as keeping, he listeners engaged.
Language and articulation are also as important as your voice inflection and tone. Don’t forget if you don’t understand the personality of the host or its listeners, it could catch you by surprise and not necessarily in a good way. Speak clearly. After all there are people listening on the other end and they don’t want to hear noise, or mumbling, they are interested in the content that you share. If you wish to just make noise or hear yourself, think, you should probably not call in, at least until you understand radio etiquette a bit better.
I have heard many people say that a show should do things one way or the other and some tell me they no longer listen to a show and list reasons but one thing that is important to consider is that, if you are given an open platform to speak, and you may not like what is being said, why not consider your participation to make it something you would find worthwhile because chances are, if you find your participation worthy, others may as well and like civic engagement, you can choose to engage or not and if you choose not to, you must be willing to accept the government you have. It is only when we participate in these processes can we achieve the goals most of us have.
This country has no shortage of issues, and it seems that few have any solutions, but everyone has an opinion, and this is evident when listening to callers. Although opinions are appreciated, I wanted to conclude, at least for me, although I have mine, we need to focus more on solutions and root causes of issues if we wish to find solutions to those problems not just rant about them.
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