Stations are waking up to the reality that using listeners on the air can make a station sound better. Gone are the days of letting the D.J.s have all the spotlight. Here are tips on using listeners to improve your sound. AND how to avoid a major hazard many stations make when using "real people" on the air.
-Rick McConnell
-Rick McConnell
I loved those Gieco commercials from years ago: "Ann Hayes is a real Gieco customer. Not an actor. So we hired an actor for this commercial."
It's poking fun at "pros" supposedly being "more credible" than "non- pros" Interesting BECAUSE real life people carry more "On-Air credibility" than you, the "radio pro." (my apologies if I just burst your bubble.)
By "credibility", I am not talking about "character." I am talking about a perceived believability or "weight" in the message.
Add more REAL people into your mix. Whether they are on the air-sharing the mic. If you can bring in listeners and people involved in activities in your community that is great.
Or if you just take your portable mp3 recorder and chat with them at a Christian music festival .There is just ONE HUGE RULE: DON'T let them read ANYTHING on the air. (If at all possible.)
This is mainly in reference to recorded bits- like spots, PSA's, announcements or even devotionals.
Instead, interview them and let them "talk." Let them "ramble." Record them. Edit it. Add announcer intro and close. This "interview/ testimonial" approach will have a much more natural feel than a piece that is read.
It sounds more natural and listeners will warm up to the person and the message when they know it's not being read.
In all my years of recording bits from the Airshow programming package, I've never let anyone "read." I use this "interview" approach.
It's like a sixth sense listeners have developed over decades of media exposure. They don't warm up to something "read" as much as they do to something that sounds more "of the cuff."
If you are still unsure of how this works, here is an example:
(Announcer) "Here is Andy Brown with Stagecoach Realty talking about the upcoming seminar on preparing your home for selling:"
Then simply insert clips of him talking. He will sound relaxed, natural and believable.
Most will be cooperative. Pastors may balk a bit. Because they like to think they are "pros" at talking. Even though, they will also sound more dynamic when they are "interviewed."
So- having MORE listeners (Real life/ non-announcer people) on your station is a plus. Letting them read copy is usually a BIG minus.
-Rick McConnell
(To get listeners voices on your station, The Airshow Imaging and Programming Package uses many "listener voices" in our imaging.)
(Articles provided by Rick McConnell. Starting in Christian Radio in 1978, he has been doing voice overs since 1986 through his company, Monumental Studios in Denver Colorado. Find out more about the Imaging Package called "Airshow", Voice and Production Depot and more, by CLICKING HERE)
(To get listeners voices on your station, The Airshow Imaging and Programming Package uses many "listener voices" in our imaging.)
(Articles provided by Rick McConnell. Starting in Christian Radio in 1978, he has been doing voice overs since 1986 through his company, Monumental Studios in Denver Colorado. Find out more about the Imaging Package called "Airshow", Voice and Production Depot and more, by CLICKING HERE)
