Have you listened to any Internet only based Talk Shows? I've listened to a couple shows recently on the BlogTalkRadio.com Network, and was not impressed. I found all I was listening to were conference calls, [yawn]. Now keep in mind this is not a dig on BlogTalkRadio.com at all. I have an account there and plan on launching my own show with the network. They actually have an awesome application for "anyone" to do a Talk Show. That is the problem: "anyone" can have a show. I'm not dogging people who are interested in being Talk Hosts either. But there needs to be accountability and structure in order to grow and become better.
If you are a novice and know it, this could be a great training opportunity for you to "bust your chops", as we say in the industry. But if you consider yourself a "pro", your show better have production elements, structure and be entertaining. Radio (Internet radio) is so much more than a media to share information. It is supposed to be entertaining as well. Conference calls are not entertaining!
The problem is that these hosts have no one to tell them what they are doing wrong, or what they could do better. There is no Program Director to hold the Hosts accountable for their foibles or to offer instruction on improvement. For example on BlogTalkRadio.com hosts often fumble the task of bringing on a guest interview. I keep hearing "Let me see if I can find him". And when I hear that I wonder how organized the Host is? And that really is a big factor in a successful show: being organized. I've had my share of disorganized shows myself, and it really reflects bad on you as a Host! I learned my lesson the hard way.
I also don't hear any structure on some Internet Talk Shows. There is this idea that since it is Internet radio, there are no rules. Well, are there no marketing rules on the Internet? Is there no proper etiquette when emailing or chatting? Maybe not with your friends. And if you are only broadcasting to your group of friends then more power to you. But most people are looking to grow their audience and promote their businesses. I can't say I am any more impressed with some Hosts I have listened to and not any more likely to buy their product or service! If you want to be a dancer, you learn how. If you want to be a painter, you learn how. If you want to be an electrician, you learn how AND get licensed! So, if you want to be a Host, learn how. To be a great Talk Host, follow basic things: 1. Be Organized. 2. Have Structure 3. Be Entertaining. 4. Hire a Program Director to keep you accountable.
To answer the problem that face many of these BlogTalkRadio.com and other Internet radio networks, I am offering a Teleclass on "How To Be A Great Talk Host". If you are one of these hosts looking for guidance, or maybe you have wanted to start a show and want help, then sign up for the class! Contact me via email at charlieprofit <at> cabradio <dot> com (replace <at> with @ and <dot> with . )
If you are a novice and know it, this could be a great training opportunity for you to "bust your chops", as we say in the industry. But if you consider yourself a "pro", your show better have production elements, structure and be entertaining. Radio (Internet radio) is so much more than a media to share information. It is supposed to be entertaining as well. Conference calls are not entertaining!
The problem is that these hosts have no one to tell them what they are doing wrong, or what they could do better. There is no Program Director to hold the Hosts accountable for their foibles or to offer instruction on improvement. For example on BlogTalkRadio.com hosts often fumble the task of bringing on a guest interview. I keep hearing "Let me see if I can find him". And when I hear that I wonder how organized the Host is? And that really is a big factor in a successful show: being organized. I've had my share of disorganized shows myself, and it really reflects bad on you as a Host! I learned my lesson the hard way.
I also don't hear any structure on some Internet Talk Shows. There is this idea that since it is Internet radio, there are no rules. Well, are there no marketing rules on the Internet? Is there no proper etiquette when emailing or chatting? Maybe not with your friends. And if you are only broadcasting to your group of friends then more power to you. But most people are looking to grow their audience and promote their businesses. I can't say I am any more impressed with some Hosts I have listened to and not any more likely to buy their product or service! If you want to be a dancer, you learn how. If you want to be a painter, you learn how. If you want to be an electrician, you learn how AND get licensed! So, if you want to be a Host, learn how. To be a great Talk Host, follow basic things: 1. Be Organized. 2. Have Structure 3. Be Entertaining. 4. Hire a Program Director to keep you accountable.
To answer the problem that face many of these BlogTalkRadio.com and other Internet radio networks, I am offering a Teleclass on "How To Be A Great Talk Host". If you are one of these hosts looking for guidance, or maybe you have wanted to start a show and want help, then sign up for the class! Contact me via email at charlieprofit <at> cabradio <dot> com (replace <at> with @ and <dot> with . )
4 comments:
BlogTalkRadi offers training every Wednesday at 1pm EST for all new hosts. We also have a great FAQ and live support for each host. We offer this for free on our platform. Please email service at blogtalkradio.com if you have any questions. Our free classes are available via archive as well at www.blogtalkradio.com/blogtalkradio101
Nikki, thanks for your comment. And I'm sure your help is greatly appreciated by many. We had a chat the other day, and you were informative.
The type of training I am talking about is one to one personalized training where the "Program Director" listens to your show and provides instruction on how to improve it.
What you offer are tips and tricks for the basics. While this is obviously important, most people need more help than just that.
Rush Limbaugh didn't rise to the top following tips and tricks. He had a Program Director, and Coach I'm sure, that instructed him on how to strengthen his weaknesses and build on on his strengths.
Again, the BlogTalkRadio platform is quite impressive, and I am not knocking it! I am now using it as well for my own show. My point is that most people need more training on how to deliver their content, how to speak properly (it's ZERO not OH, i.e. a number not a letter) and how to stop using certain crutches like "um's". Of course no one is perfect and a good teacher will actually learn from his/her student. So the point isn't that I think I'm "all that", but the point is we all need to acknowledge our weakness and seek out help to strengthen them.
Being a "Professional" Talk Host isn't easy. Being a Hobbyist is. Which are you?
Thanks again for contributing!
Well, check out the very next issue (March 2009) of TALKERS magazine, "the bible of talk radio and the new talk media" because they promise a list of the top INTERNET-ONLY TALK HOSTS! those of you reading this blog should find that verrrry interesting! Tom Z, USA. tomz@jetcast.com
I also don't hear any structure on some Internet Talk Shows. There is this idea that since it is Internet radio, there are no rules. Well, are there no marketing rules on the Internet? Is there no proper etiquette when emailing or chatting?
This hits home if only because Web 2.0 is turning out to be no different than Web 1.0 in the some ways. The "alternative" consensus appears to be "let's not do it like it's done professionally because, y'know, we want to be different." It's as if grade school enthusiasm trumps post-secondary logic.
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