When Program Directors or Consultants offer tips to Talent on how to sound better, it often goes unappreciated. If the one offering advice isn’t on air or has never worked as Talent, some personalities feel they can’t learn from someone like this, no matter how valid the advice. Moreover, some may reject direction from PDs currently on the air, because they simply don’t want to sound like their boss.
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But Talent tends to respect other Talent. So how would one receive another personality critiquing their aircheck?
An unnamed Talent in a 100+ market looking for opportunities in much larger cities recently spoke with a Talent currently working in a top 3 market after sharing some on air breaks. Instead of sitting quietly and dismissing the feedback, the Talent looking to get a higher profile gig actually seemed to receive and respond well to the constructive criticism.
Here are 3 tips that really seemed to stick:
1. Edit, Then Edit Again
Even though that call or interview may seem tight. Give it another listen to make it even tighter.
2. Say It Out Loud
Sounding conversational is a great way to connect to your listeners, and a good way to sound comfortable and relatable is to practice breaks out loud. This may feel like something only rookies should do, but it works for someone currently heard on-air in a top 3 market, so try it!
3. Be Authentic
Front selling a song or plugging a promotion may not be the most compelling breaks you deliver on air. But make a concerted effort to avoid sounding like an announcer when doing so. Try to be as entertaining while handling station business as you are when doing breaks with content of your choice.
With Program Directors being busier than ever, getting other Talent (preferably from other stations) to offer critiques is a great way to help personalities become even better.