MOJO Rachel at the Store
Radio is one of the best mediums to tell a story because we can paint pictures with words, tone, and emotion. Want to truly understand the value of telling a story? Tell one well to listeners and stop halfway. They’ll ask that you finish it. They won’t if you cough out facts, figures, metrics, and lists. That’s the power of stories. In this segment on MOJO in the Morning, Channel 95.5, Detroit, Rachel tells a story about waiting on line at a retail establishment. Her story has wonderful twists and turns, totally defines her, and is exceptionally captivating. Mojo also finds way to involve listeners in the process, making this short break have multiple dimensions to keep those just tuning in completely engaged.
One thing to learn when interviewing a top celebrity is to prep, but also be prepared to organically go where the interview leads you. A few weeks ago, Dave and Veronica, WQYK, Tampa talked to Luke Bryan, who was coming on to sell concert tickets. Early in the interview, they played for him Veronica doing a hip hop version of a Luke song used in another feature. Luke was so mesmerized by the creative that he took the interview to other places. Instead of being married to their list of questions, they willingly followed Luke. What ensued was a silly, fun interview which highlighted not only our team, but Luke’s sense of humor. A win all the way around – very entertaining for the audience and, as a result, Luke probably sold more concert tickets!
This week we’re going to talk about preserving the natural reaction. Oftentimes, you don’t want to share too much with your team off the air out of fear the best and most natural reaction will come in that conversation and it will be difficult to recreate. These are almost always gut calls the others involved will react better if they don’t know where the story is going. This takes chemistry and a trust that the people you’re telling will not only have a reaction, but will have a good one.
There’s nothing more fun than real life. That’s what listeners are most looking for when they turn on a morning show. They want to be around people like them, who can be honest in a fun way. At Kyle and Rachel, Radio NOW, Indianapolis, Rachel was having some “issues” with her personal trainer. Kyle wanted to hear the trainer’s take on the problems so they got him on the phone. One thing to note in this break – listen to all the drama. These moments of drama are what draw the listener in and gives the team its best chance to create humor.
Games on morning shows work best if people in cars listening can play along (it’s why “Wheel of Fortune” is America’s most popular game). Ryno and Jackson, KYGO, Denver play “What Are They Talking About” where they bleep the topic from audio of a celebrity on TV. The listener has to guess what they’re talking about. It sounds naughty but isn’t, and you don’t have to have seen the TV show to play along.
One way to bond with women is to talk about kids. An easy concept, right? Sean Henry, Lite Rock B103, Rockford, IL is the master. Sean’s son Declan just turned five. To celebrate, he played The Pyramid with his son. The category was things in fives. Way too cute. And women walk away loving Sean even more for being a great father.