We work with a lot of companies and radio shows. Many share the common belief that to improve a show one must constantly be adding something new. Over time, stations become jam-packed full of stuff. It’s human nature to feel that the more you offer, the greater chance everyone will find something to like. But that’s not how it works. And it’s not how Gordon Ramsay would do it.
You’re familiar with Gordon Ramsay, right? He’s the celebrity chef that built an empire on television. Ramsay is direct, honest, and confrontational. He’s brought in to work with owners of struggling restaurants. And he has an amazing track record.
How Gordon Ramsay Would Improve Your Radio Show
When Ramsay works with restaurants, his first recommendation is almost always the same. There’s a common theme.
Menus at failing restaurants offer too many dishes. The owners think offering more variety (more stuff) will broaden the restaurant’s appeal. But it doesn’t. It makes for crappy food and inventory headaches. The chef can’t specialize. The staff is stretched thin, and the restaurant doesn’t stand out for anything.
Most restaurants don’t start that way. The clutter accumulates over time. They add a side dish here and a new entree there. Soon enough, they’ve lost their focus and brand identity.
The restaurant is no longer known for something special.
That’s why Ramsay’s first step is to trim the menu, usually from thirty-plus dishes to around ten. By specializing in fewer things, they’re able to excel with better focus.
Your Radio Show
We tend to do the same thing when working with radio shows. Most are doing too many things. Some of those things are good, but few are great. The station doesn’t have time to develop, promote or brand that many things. And the audience doesn’t recognize the show for anything specific.
We call our approach Zero-Based Programming. Here’s how to do it:
- Imagine the show is brand new. Nothing exists. You’re starting from scratch.
- What would you put on to make an impact on the audience?
- Now evaluate every detail on the show. Does it move the needle? Will it help achieve the goal?
- Every element is either kept because it’s truly great or taken off because it’s not.
- Program the great content more often and promote it aggressively.
Almost instantly, the show is easier to listen to, stands out more, and attracts more attention. The team has more time to specialize in fewer things. And listeners respond.
Conclusion
Zero-Based Programming is a powerful tool. Try it or contact us for help. We specialize in fixing radio shows that need help. Oh, and we may use Gordon Ramsay’s methods, but we won’t yell at you like Gordon yells at his clients!
