Kick-Ass Audio Breaks

Break structure is so important in show prep.  With listeners decreasing attention spans, they evaluate a break’s worth in just a few seconds.  They come for content.  So, the longer you take to get to that, the greater peril you face in losing them mentally or worse, to another entertainment choice.  Relating to the content is critical, too, as are designed moments in each breaks execution to re-grap the attention of fans who might lose interest.  Hawkeye and Connected K, KSCS, Dallas did a break about technology – quite relatable to anyone.  Listen to the break below and pay close attention to not just the content material, but how this break was designed.  Hawkeye starts the break without all the pablum many do (call letters, weather, telling the audience about an appearance or promotion – all items which delay the content).  He starts in the first few seconds with a question to Connected K.  He’s actually asking the audience the same question so they are engaged.  After that brief conversation, he pivots to talking about technology and throughout the break, uses audio throughout to prevent those who might get less interested from leaving the show.  This is, at its core, a break about technology designed to be a conversation between the two hosts (good).  It was done in a way to keep those vibing with the conversation leaning in and is well done as a result of that prep.

There are simple ways to take the topic of sports and broaden it out to make it become a topic about relationships with a sports theme.  With our entering football season, you might find natural team allegiances are split in relationships.  Look for those inside a marriage and do a Spousal Sports Bet.  This is where he supports one team and she supports another (and hopefully his rival).  On the eve of that game, get both people in the relationship on and get them to make an odd bet (he wins: he doesn’t have to clean the kitchen for a week after dinner, she wins:  he gives her two spa treatments).  Focusing on the relationship allows you to talk about the game not from a position of X’s and O’s, but from how it impacts their relationship, which is quite relatable to everyone in your audience.  And yes, if you want to do this with your relationship it would be character development, but make sure you choose fun listeners, too, which will give you more to play with.  We did this at Koz and Jen, WTMX (101.9 The Mix), Chicago so you can hear the fun here.