Tuesday Talker Tips: #1 Training Your Mind

Like an athlete, to be a successful talk host you must train! Going for a daily jog is good for the mind, body and spirit but that is not what I am getting at with my talk host tips. We are thinking outside the box to make you think, act like and be a successful talk host. This is an ongoing series of radio talk host tips for those of you new to the format and even for the experienced pro. Subscribe to the blog to get these tips as they are published. Also get my opinion on the radio industry and more directly in your email.

Being knowledgeable about your topic is important, so reading up on it is obviously one way you should be training your mind. However there are things you subconsciously do that can undermine that knowledge and make you sound less than intelligent. I am talking about verbal pauses, the "uhs" and "ums".

You need to train your mind to not verbalize that your are thinking, and possibly stumbling over what to say next. It is better to be silent for a moment than to sputter verbal pauses. Training your mind to not allow verbal pauses is not too difficult, but it will take a lot of practice.

You should already be recording your shows and have a neutral party listen and critique you. Remember, getting critiqued is a good thing. It helps you understand your weaknesses and helps you develop them.

Listen back to your shows yourself and listen for the patterns of when you make those verbal pauses. Make note of those instances and provide yourself with strategically placed reminders of what not to do. For example, maybe you make verbal pauses just before you introduce your guest. On the introduction bio sheet of your guest, make a note "no verbal pauses" as a reminder to yourself. Don't be rigid about practicing, as you will sound rehearsed or mechanical. Also don't draw attention to your verbal pauses by saying something like "oops verbal pause there, sorry".

It could be very helpful to have notes strategically placed where you generally look during the show, as a visual and constant reminder.

More tips to follow!