by Jay Trachman
(This last “summer re-run” originally ran in September, 1997. –jt)
The old joke goes, “Sincerity is everything in radio. Once you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” Obviously it isn’t something that can be faked. Neither is warmth — an important component of your credentials, if you want the listener to perceive you as a friend. Here are a few tips that will help — not to make you “sound” warmer, but to bring out the natural warmth you have.
Don’t try to turn everything into a joke. A lot of life just isn’t funny, and there’s no advantage to focusing on humor exclusively. When you make the listener respond to you with feelings, one emotion is as good as the next. It’s not only okay to be sad, or frustrated, or angry or tender now and then — it’s essential to show a variety of emotions in order to be perceived as human.
Boost others. Don’t miss an opportunity to say something nice about someone else — whether it’s a fellow team member or colleague, or a leader in the community, or a kid whose picture is in the paper because he rescued a puppy – especially if your norm is to cultivate a “bad boy” or girl image. Stepping out of character lends you authenticity. It’s not a question of coming across as Pollyanna — it’s a part of building your image as a well-rounded, “authentic” person.
Take an interest in callers. If you treat people who phone as nothing more than a resource, after awhile the only people who will call are those who don’t mind being “used.” When you ask a person’s name, where they’re calling from and where they work or go to school, and then thank them for their call, you not only make that person feel good; you make everyone listening feel good; you increase the odds that others will call; and you show yourself off as a mensch — a person who cares about other people.
Express listener strokes sincerely. Show your awareness of the listener by expressing your appreciation for his/her company now and then. Not just a simple, “Good morning,” but, “Glad you could be with me today.” “Nice to have you along.” Say it differently every time, and focus on your Personal Listener when you speak, so it sounds like you’re addressing someone you care about, not just mouthing a formula.
Let others get the credit. Even if you did most of the work. For instance, an intern supplies you with a bunch of material he or she found on the internet. 1% of it is usable, and you had to re-write that for your show. Praise the kid, on the air, like he just handed you gold! Not just because the other person will feel good and be more likely to do it again, but because it shows you off as a generous-hearted person.
Step out of character now and then — let yourself lose control. Show vulnerability. You don’t expect your friends to be “perfect.” Most people don’t like to be around others who are “always in control.” When something unusual happens, allow yourself to respond to it spontaneously.
A tiny incident I heard on a local station today inspired this article. Our news/talk station had a newsman reading his “kicker” story about a guy who found what he thought was a dinosaur egg; he took it to the university and they broke it open, and found it was nothing more than a round rock. The newswheel host popped in unexpectedly with something like, “Oh gosh, it would have been so cool to tell your friends you found a dinosaur egg. Now, all he’s got is a rock — and a broken rock at that!” The newsman chuckled, he chuckled, I chuckled — it was out of character and it instantly turned these people into humans in my perception.
Tell one on yourself now and then. “I was so embarrassed, I coulda’ died!” “What could I have been thinking?” “I guess it’s my turn to live & learn…” People like it — so do you — when others show they’re comfortable enough with themselves to acknowledge a mistake or a bad decision. When you do the same — not to wallow in self-pity or flagellation, but just to Share a good laugh on yourself — you convey a powerful image of someone who’s secure about who he/she is, and doesn’t need to “impress” others.
A large part of your job is to create the illusion that you’re a “friend” to the listener. These are ways friends behave in real life, and they help to motivate the listener to feel that way about you.
Jay Trachman is publisher of “One to One,” a weekly information and humor service for broadcasters. Jay can be reached at: phone (559) 448 0700, fax (559) 448 0761, e-mail at 121@att.net, or www.121online.net. Reprinted with permission.
