Effective communicators must captivate the audience quickly in every segment to retain listeners or risk losing them entirely. Luring listeners past the critical high-risk zone requires finding the right words to craft a can’t-miss, attention-getting hook. This begins within the first few seconds of turning on the microphone. The Mastering The Setup seminar explains this in detail and is now available on-demand here.
The seminar is designed to train you to generate original, amazing Setups that capture attention and build anticipation. It’s the primary ingredient for creating can’t-miss radio, podcast, or video stream content.
This comprehensive program teaches you how to craft the perfect Setup and elevate your on-air presence.
Why is the Setup important?
The Setup is even more critical than the Payoff because losing the audience initially means they won’t be there for the Payoff. A well-executed Setup is the gateway to a story and can transform an ordinary radio segment into an unforgettable experience, increasing the chances that the audience remains engaged.
However, it’s not that easy to generate a successful hook that causes a listener to be engaged and invested in what is to come. This has been the trickiest part of the show prep process, but it’s now de-mystified. I show you how to do it in a simple three-step process that can be replicated over and over:
- Step 1: Setting the topic
- Step 2: Inject attitude to create a premise.
- Step 3: Tell the story.
Here’s an example: The performer is a first-time mom struggling to lose the baby weight. She wants to share this compelling, relatable story with her female audience. It’s a great story, but most of the audience will stop paying attention if the Setup starts with the host talking about herself:
I just had my first child, and gained about 45 pounds during my pregnancy. That was expected, but what is completely unexpected is how hard it is to lose that weight. All my friends told me the pounds would melt away when I started breast-feeding. Really? When does that start?
That’s not bad, but this is better:
Step 1: Set The Topic:
All moms are liars.
Wow. That’s bold, compelling, and provokes a strong response. It’s perfect!
Step 2: Inject an Attitude (Premise):
Because if they told the truth, nobody would have a kid.
Now that’s a powerful, emotional perspective. A good premise is a hot take. Yep, this qualifies.
Step 3: Tell The story
Everyone says, “Oh, you’re breastfeeding. The weight is going to just melt off. What? Really? When? It’s a lie told by moms to trick other moms into having kids so they’re not the only ones living this hell.
This is far more exciting because it connects emotionally with the target audience, then builds a bridge to the personal story.
Inside The Seminar
The seminar teaches you how to master and use this process for every piece of content you create. It’s loaded with clear examples, interactive exercises, and practical tips so you can learn:
- The crucial two-word phrase that distinguishes an ordinary segment from one that resonates.
- Jerry Seinfeld’s recipe for compelling punchlines can be applied to create great Setups that point to the Payoff.
- The three components of a great Setup are broken down into detailed steps and explanations.
- Examples of excellent and poor Setups to help you identify the differences and refine your technique.
- Interactive exercises to identify and fix bad Setups. This will improve your skills.
- Tips and tricks that can start immediately.
- A checklist to assess the strength of your Setups and identify areas for improvement.
Who Should Attend?
This seminar is perfect for all content creators that wish to improve their performance, captivate the audience, and stand out in a competitive media environment. Every podcaster, radio personality, video streamer, standup comedian, and public speaker should study and apply these principles.
It’s also ideal for mentors, managers, and coaches training talented performers.
Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced professional seeking to enhance your skills, Mastering The Setup will help you be more creative. In fact, you’ll probably even be funnier!
Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock your potential.
The Mastering The Setup seminar is now available on-demand. Are you ready to elevate your performance?
