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Five simple things to do RIGHT NOW to coach talent that takes 35 minutes a week

Gary Moreland here.

Let’s face it, if your air talent is not getting coaching like you know they should it’s your responsibility to make sure it gets done.

Maybe no one is saying anything. Your boss probably thinks it’s happening.

The talent wants the coaching but also feels that bringing it up is just asking for criticism.

You’re so busy that weeks and weeks pass by and it seems like days.

Maybe you don’t have confidence in your coaching ability. Maybe you think it’s the consultant’s job, or maybe you don’t have a consultant. (We’re happy to work alongside you! Please check with us. Details HERE.)

You can keep going like this and nothing will change. Or you can fix it. Right now.

Let’s fix it.

The first way we’ll fix it is by adjusting your expectations. If you think of coaching as a big commitment of time and energy, then as a busy PD it’s natural to avoid it. You think it’s a huge project or you do nothing. Let’s make it a smaller, less intimidating project.  

Here are five simple things you can do right now and keep doing in just 35 minutes per week.

Repent.

Agree that air talent coaching is super important and that you’ll do something about it.

2. Commit to engage your air talent and their performance.

Commit to making sure they WILL be coached regularly. Be confident that consistent, small engagement can make a big difference.

Guess what! Two steps are done and you’ve taken hardly any time! Now for the simple, practical 35-minute per week steps:

3. Listen to 3-4 breaks with a pad and pen and write down what you notice. That’s 15 minutes.

Write down things you like and why. Write down things you don’t like and why.

Now organize your observations into 3 lists of 2-4 points each:

List 1. Hugs – the stuff you liked and why

List 2. Grow – the stuff you think needs to change and improve and why

List 3. Goals – a short summary of what to keep doing and what to improve in

Meet with your air talent and encourage them. Another 15 minutes.

Start with a few true words about their value, strengths, and potential. Start positive because they’re nervous and convinced this is going to be about what they’re doing wrong. So, show them what they’re doing right. Let them know you believe in them.

They are doing art and artists need confidence.

Then go through your Hugs, Grow, and Goals lists.

Sometimes use some audio to illustrate your points.

Major on the positive and let them hear and feel what they did right. Be blunt and brief about change and improvement, then finish with something positive.

Follow up with a brief, positive email summary of your points. There’s the final five minutes.

In the email, just summarize what you talked about from your Hugs, Grow, and Goals lists. The email is a reminder that reinforces your meeting. Keep it short and encouraging, yet straightforward about change and improvement.

Good things will happen from this 35 minute per week habit!

Your air talent and station will improve and you’ll serve listeners better.  
Talent will not despise and avoid coaching sessions. They may even grow to sort of like it! (Maybe. We hope.)
They’ll respect you for doing your job.
It’s good for them to know you’re listening, paying attention, and that you will hold them accountable.
YOU’LL grow in confidence as a coach.

And that’s it. You are on your way.

Pssst…you’ll want to check out Gary’s book at AFAMILYSHAPEDBYGRACE.COM.

What does your listener actually say about you to friends?

In 2016, Finney Media set out to answer that question, and with the help of numerous radio stations, networks and program ministries, found more than 23,000 people willing to candidly share.

A summary result of what your listener thinks about you was created in the Net Promoter Score. The NPS is this tough formula: Answering this question, “If 1=highly unlikely and 10= very likely, how likely are you to recommend the Christian radio station or program that sent you this survey to a friend or family member? The Net Promoter Score is derived from the total percentage of 9’s and 10’s minus the total percentage of 1’s through 6’s. Whew. That’s a tough measure!

Well, from listeners who chose the Format they prefer to listen to most*, we got this astonishing information:

Today, as you work to expand and deepen your ministry impact, you have another opportunity to listen to your listener—and at a low cost, now even more affordable with a limited time special offer! Right now, the first 25 to sign up will receive a $100 rebate on top of the already discounted special price for CMB and NRB members and Advocace and Finney Media clients.

One of the things we’ll look for is trending on the Net Promoter Score. Of course, if you are joining for the first time, you’ll be able to compare and contrast your own individualized score with the national score.

We listened to your requests for even more listener insight. The result—deeper questioning in areas of high interest. You should know that the 2018 Why Listen™ Survey will delve deep into the minds of your listeners and will explore the Net Promoter Score and many additional areas. Read last week’s blog Inside Your Listener’s Head and Heart.

We suggest that now is the time to look over the form on finneymedia.com/whylisten, to pray and to sign up.

The survey distribution begins on a set schedule in January 2018. The first 25 survey sign ups, however, will be taken in the next days. Your listener has a lot to say—to you and to her friends!

For more information, contact Chuck Finney at Chuck@finneymedia.com or 214.676.7713 or Jan Shober at Jan@finneymedia.com or 719-331-6482.

*More information like this will be available in the upcoming whitepaper: Christian Radio, I Choose You Because…! The Reasons Behind Specific Format Choice

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What does your listener really think about you and what’s on your station?

In 2016, Finney Media set out to answer that question and with the help of numerous radio stations, networks and program ministries, found more than 23,000 people willing to candidly share.

The result? Here’s a typical comment from a ministry partner. “I have reviewed the Why Listen™ research. I am incredibly pleased. We are now making some adjustments and have a much stronger strategy going forward.”*

Today, as you work to expand and deepen your ministry impact, you have another opportunity to listen to your listener—and at a low cost, now even more affordable with a limited time special offer! Right now, the first 25 to sign up to participate in the 2018 Why Listen™ Survey will receive a $100 rebate on top of the already discounted special price for CMB and NRB members; Advocace and Finney Media clients.

NEW questions on your listener’s spiritual growth
Trends comparing new “Main Reasons to Listen” to our 2016 Survey
Trends on the Net Promoter Score, a measure of positive passion for your radio station, network or program among your listeners
NEW questions on the content in your podcasts, streaming and social media
Trends on giving to your ministry and our formats
NEW questions on topics of highest interest to your listener

We suggest that now is the time to look over the form on finneymedia.com/whylisten, to pray and to sign up.

The survey distribution begins on a set schedule in January 2018. The first 25 sign up spots, however, will be taken in the next days. For more information, contact Chuck Finney at chuck@finneymedia.com or Jan Shober at jan@finneymedia.com.

*Compiled from several feedback statements in 2017.

The Tomato Meter continues to stress film studios, critics and sometimes even moviegoers.

A recent news piece caught our attention because of its strong message for communicators. (Hey, that’s us.)

The news piece reported that studios were now fiddling with movie release times and the locations of review posts and whether to show those reviews to counter poor Rotten Tomatoes scores. Some studies indicate that the scores influence attendance or may shut down conversation on a movie, which then impacts attendance.

What’s up? We have three observations:

The consumer, ever more educated about product, including movies, decides. Not the studios.
Apparently Fandango includes the Tomatometer scores on their ticket-buying site. This would indicate a customer focus—whether it helps the specific movie in question to boost sales or not.
The news piece we’ve linked to has a quote we agree with: “The best way for studios to combat the ‘Rotten Tomatoes Effect’ is to make better movies, plain and simple.” You can like it or not but digital has enabled customers to bypass both studios and critics—and converse with other consumers, people like themselves. Here’s the bottom line: More choice means if you are not relentlessly focused on the viewer or listener, you could be hurt, bypassed or even forgotten.

Keep your consumer in your sight and you will not only survive but thrive.

What’s on your mind?

Michael Stanier, in his popular book The Coaching Habit, suggests that questions, more than information, more than telling, more than directives, may take you further, faster and with more impact.

And, according to A More Beautiful Question, Einstein, who began asking questions early and often, reckoned that if he had an hour to solve a problem and his life depended on it, he’d use 55 of those minutes making sure he was asking the right question.

Questions. Good ones can open up a conversation and take it to important places; the long term view or toward a powerful resolution.

And, a question can keep a conversation open in someone’s heart all day long.

So, what’s your favorite heart or future or thought question? What questions might serve us well as we seek to lead, coach or guide those we are in contact with? Whether that be in person, on air or over the phone?

Here’s a starter list.

How can we make it better?

What is possible?

How can we make the best use of …?

What brought you the greatest satisfaction afterward?

Is there a pattern?

If you only had to do one thing, what would that be?

What would the question be if I were someone younger/older/richer/poorer?

How do you move from the asking to the doing?

And finally, why does it matter?

Now, start your own collection…and discover for yourself what a difference an inquiring spirit brings to the conversation. Click here to read our next blog

Heart connection. It’s our goal as we communicate.

When we observe and understand that goal, our friends, our family, and yes, our listener will be impacted and will see life change and spiritual growth. We can’t help but want to create this connection.

Chuck tells of a question put to him recently: “Chuck, how can I coach my team if I don’t have enough hours in the day?” In other words, how can I see impact and growth with someone I’m around daily without spending exhaustive amounts of time and effort? How can I communicate efficiently and effectively?

Here’s an idea: catch this person doing something right. Affirm them. It only takes a minute.

Catch the morning host in the hallway and say, “The break you did at 7:35 about (topic) was awesome!”

See the admin at the front desk and say “The smile in your voice is the best public relations ever!”

Say to your board president, “That explanation of rates was eye-opening and saved my bacon. Your insight was a life-saver!”

Say to your listener, “You are the one that brings a smile to my face today! Your interest, the warmth in your heart and your desire for God makes we want to get up early and talk to you today!”

No “buts.” Just the positive. And see what a difference a little extra affirmation makes in the people around you.

A post-NRB note: We listened to Shaunti Feldhahn speak to radio broadcasters about The Thirty Day Kindness Challenge. Doesn’t this sound like a way to jump-start affirmation?

Snoopy and Charlie Brown made famous the now-so-familiar “blah, blah, blah” of the parents—out of the scene and just background noise—wallpaper.

Enter any room that actually wears wallpaper and you’ll understand. It’s a pattern of repetition that is the same again and again and again … and yet again. Can you pick out just one of the figures and zero in on that drawing? The waving wheat? The medieval scene? It’s tough! Your eye becomes bored and mixes the one figure with the figure above it or beside it or below it.

Likewise, an audio phrase or title can be wallpaper if it’s generally used words in a generally used way. The burning question: What sets it apart? What makes your listener pause to listen?

Grace Minute? How’s that different?

Grace Prescription. That’s a little more surprising.

Our Tender God. That’s something that’s fresher.

Now it’s your turn.

Rip away the wallpaper and give your creativity a gig. The Wallpaper Sin. Click here to read our next blog

THE REAL REASON STORIES ARE SO VALUABLE TO RADIO STATIONS AND AIR TALENT

by Gary Moreland, guest blogger

Stories are valuable because people are wired to keep listening and to follow your story to where you want to lead them.

This is an ingrained human trait – God has wired every person to respond to the Gospel story. So every human responds to the story form.

Novelists and movie-makers take advantage of this and study what forms of story work best to keep people moving where they want. They know if they do it wrong, people put the book down or get bored with the movie.

Some basic definitions of story:

Story happens in time and space: “The other day I was in line at Wal-Mart . . .” Story shows and doesn’t just tell.
The listener is drawn into wanting to know what happens next: “and then . . . and then … “
Something happens in story. It moves. It’s a movie, not snapshot. It goes somewhere.
Story makes you feel something–it doesn’t just tell you a feeling.

“The King died” is data. “The King died and the Queen died of a broken heart” is story.

Story doesn’t mean truth is not important – it just means you’ll pass on truth in a way that people hear and understand.

Story is valuable because you can then take the listener where you want: into a feeling, a conviction, a truth, a response.

Story connects people.

A friend shared with me about a trip to the mountains with her 8 year-old son who loved the views when they arrived. But the next morning was foggy.

“You know what, Mom?” he said, “Even though I can’t see the mountains I know they’re still there. Just like God.” When I heard that I connected with her mom heart melting because her boy was ‘getting it.’

She could have just told me, “You know God is always there even when he seems distant.”

We use the story form so people hear with their heads—and their hearts–what we have to say.

Gary thinks story is so valuable that he’s written a book that illustrates its use. Find out more at AFAMILYSHAPEDBYGRACE.COM.

You will appreciate a related blogpost Chartres Cathedral and You.

Finney Media asked in the Why Listen?™2016 survey for participant input on the question “My religion is the one true faith leading to eternal life.” When participants self-selected what format they preferred, of people who preferred both Music and Teaching formatted radio, just 86 percent agreed. Only a fraction of a percentage were of faiths other than Christianity.

And, when Finney Media began a series comparing Christian radio listeners with Christians nationwide on beliefs and faith attitudes, using Barna research to compare, a similar attitude prevailed.

Using the statements below, we asked Christian radio listeners if they agreed or disagreed with these statements. The following percentages are the totals of those who selected they Completely and Somewhat Agreed.

The Bible provides us with moral truths that are the same for all people in all situations without exception. Christian Radio=94% Nationwide= 83%

Every culture must determine what is acceptable morality for its people. Christian Radio=28% Nationwide=47%

It’s clear that Christians are either not reading the statements closely or they are fuzzy in their understanding of Scripture.* Christianity.com recently did a blog on universal truth quoting Texas Professor J. Budziszewski. Budziszewski indicates that certain basic moral truths are implanted deep within us, even if we pretend to ourselves that we don’t know them. He notes that cultures disagree only about details, not the basics. For example, C.S. Lewis observed, even if some cultures are OK with more than one wife, they agree on the sacredness of marriage. Read more about this in the book What We Can’t Not Know.

In today’s culture, it appears that Christians in general, and some Christian radio listeners, don’t seem to recognize these moral truths. Romans Chapter 1 talks about us suppressing the truth because of our sin. But, if it’s there deep down, as Romans indicates, there is surely hope to float it back up to the conscious surface. In other words, it’s worth your time thinking about these matters because you can make a difference.

Scripture is clear that God’s word is our absolute standard. Verses affirming this abound. “I am the Lord, I do not change” from Malachi. Or John 17, “Your Word is truth.” Psalm 119:160, “The sum of Thy word is truth.”

As we think through and talk about what to share on-air, let’s be encouraged. God is alive and well. He has implanted Truth within our hearts. Our daily task is to lead people further along in their spiritual life to find and to know God’s truth and His help for daily challenges. With clarity and compassion, point your listener toward taking a step in the direction of Jesus.

We have a communications challenge. It’s part of our larger purpose.

**SUMMERTIME IS RADIO TIME**

Enjoying your Fourth? Here’s a refresh on summer ideas, half-way through this time of fun, family and new experiences.

Summer is different for everyone. In Tucson, Arizona, tourists (a.k.a. snowbirds) flee as summer approaches. In Colorado Springs, families head for the hills to hike and thaw out. In LA people flock to the beaches. In Las Vegas, as temperatures climb to 110+, people become desperate for indoor activities that won’t tax their wallet. Midwesterners enjoy fishing, boating and camping by the lake.

Summer is different for everyone. That’s one common thread. Along with a boost in insect repellant sales, there is another. The children are out of school, and parents must now figure out how to keep the kiddos productive and out of trouble.

With the onset of summer, listeners adopt a different mindset. They’re likely to be hot, sweaty … maybe more relaxed. Schedules have changed. The pace has changed. Activities are distinctly different. Summer audiences are likely to be more mobile. Travelling, camping, hunting, out of town listening on your app, all increase in summer.

While winter affords broadcast media a more captive, cuddly audience … summer sets the captives free. TV shows typically won’t launch new episodes in the summer. Summertime is radio time. As the previously home-bound winter prisoners venture out into a warmer world, radio accompanies them with song, inspiration, and the evergreen plethora of summertime radio promotional activities.

Sunny time is the perfect time for a radio station to get to know its listeners even better and make a ton of new friends. Seize the opportunity. If you plan in advance and execute rightly, your station won’t ever have to mention the words, “Summer Slump”.

SLAM DUNK SUMMER IDEAS:

You can and should start planning your summer promo. Here’s a list of fun, effective (slightly different) ideas for radio stations of every size and budget:

Rummage Sale: Who doesn’t love a gigantic yard sale? Invite listeners to register and set up a super huge rummage sale! All proceeds will go to a local charity. Promote the sale citywide. A couple of balloon artists, face painters and a jumping castle might be just enough to attract younger families. Everybody wins! Don’t forget to record soundbites or if you can afford it, broadcast live from the event. Be sure to promote it on the “mom’s sale” type social media pages.

Mountains and Valleys Hike: Parts of your audiences would love the opportunity to bond with your morning show team on a hike and picnic! This could be in the form of a contest, ticketed event or a free for all. Offer branded hats, water bottles, Frisbees hacky sacks and sweat towels. Broadcast live to give your fans an added thrill. Make sure and keep track of the event on social media.

Fundraisers for other Organizations: The possibilities are endless when radio stations forgo raising money for themselves and raise money for local charity instead. By partnering with other non-profit organizations, you have the opportunity to network with untapped sponsors while gaining possibly an entire new fan base.

Random Acts of Coolness: Surprise local businesses, first responders, homeless park dwellers and summer camp attendees with Popsicle treats, ice cold drinks, free drink holders, ice cream and free beverages.

Christian Movie Night: Families and local churches will appreciate the fellowship opportunity when your station hosts a free movie night. Partner with a local popcorn sponsor or other food vendor. You can even create a series by bringing this event to different churches and venues in the area.

Local library activities: Libraries already have activities in place for families and students in the summer. You can double their fun by getting in the game with a live broadcast. You may even consider hosting your own class about Audio Editing, “Create Your Own Radio Ad” or Voice Acting!

Summer Holidays: Parents of young children love events that teach their kiddos about history. For Memorial Day and Independence Day, partner with local acting groups from around the area (or incorporate your own on-air staff) and host a live enactment of a historical presentation.

Farmers Market: The sale of healthy, organic, locally grown foods is on the rise. Why not set up a booth during your local Farmer’s Market and share space with some local food producers? Or if that’s not possible, you can actually sponsor a Farmer’s Market. Some Farmer’s Markets feature music, and sponsoring one may be a great way to get your station heard.

Branded Frisbee or Hacky Sack: Got a Frisbee Golf Park in your area? Got a youth group? Need we say more?

Pre-Movie Slides: People flock to movies in the summer. Many theatres feature pre-show slides, some of which are reserved for local businesses to purchase. This is a perfect way to introduce your radio station to a brand new audience.

More text-in Promotions: Make sure to include text-in and social media check-ins as part of your promotional event. Remember, your audience is on-the-go this summer! Reward your listeners for checking in or for sharing a photo of their experience at your event.

TURN UP THE HEAT, DON’T BURN DOWN THE HOUSE:

As you plan your summer promotion, remember that your goal is to inspire and encourage your audience into attending your event … not to interfere or interrupt what they’ve already got planned. Your summer tactics should match their personality. Like a family friend, your event should be a welcome, non-invasive addition to their summer. It should be something they look forward to. Something that captures their imagination and benefits their well-being. Something that offers a nice cool refuge from the heat. Most importantly, your event should have the over-arching goal of drawing them closer to the “Son”, and drawing them into fellowship with your radio station.

Have an amazing summer. Go out and make some friends.

ONLINE REFERENCES

byrnesmedia.com

morebusiness.com

vanwagneraerial.com

Five Simple Actions Towards Coaching

Heart connection. It’s our goal as we communicate.

A post-NRB note: We listened to Shaunti Feldhahn speak to radio broadcasters about The Thirty Day Kindness Challenge. Doesn’t this sound like a way to jump-start affirmation?

**SUMMERTIME IS RADIO TIME**

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