New Show Rules: This is also a great time to add rules to improve the show. Two shows we work with are implementing new “arrive one hour before show time” rules. Another is formalizing the show prep process by setting aside a specific time to brainstorm each day. And one show is (finally) adding a rule that eliminates studio distractions to keep everyone focused during the show.
When’s the last time you saw a concert and the performer was texting a friend between songs or the drummer suddenly stopped during a number to watch a video on YouTube? Or maybe an actor on a movie set stops in the middle of a scene to text his wife about dinner plans? That’s ridiculous, right? Professionals eliminate distractions so they can focus on great performances. Why should your show be any different? Eliminating distractions allows you to concentrate, focus, and perform at a higher level.
Some radio studios are like Grand Central Station during rush hour. Someone is checking out a video on TikTok. Several televisions play various channels while a cohost flips through the channels. The host is in a text conversation with her spouse. A cohost is reading funny lines from a blog post…repeating someone else’s performance! The producer is on social media and tries to explain he’s either prepping a segment or promoting the show. And three salespeople are hanging out because they can never catch the show after 10 am.
The only way to create entertainment is to eliminate distractions and focus.
Eliminate Distractions
You may think staying focused while the songs and commercials play is not important, but it’s part of a radio show’s performance. Each cast member has a responsibility to one another. It’s everyone’s job to make sure the room is connected. This For The Show mentality includes everything that happens on air.
Every distraction influences the group’s attitude. Soon, bad habits form. Here are ways to eliminate distractions you probably don’t realize exist:
Personal Communications: Emergencies happen, but not that often. Put off personal communication until after the show. It can wait. Some shows have even added a no-devices during the show rule. The mobile phones stay in their office until the show is over. If you need to check on something, do it a couple of times during an extended break.
Social Media: Unless a cast member is assigned to manage social media platforms as a core part of their job, stay off social media during the show. Patrick Mahomes doesn’t check Instagram between plays or on the sidelines. He actively prepares for the next chance to perform.
No In-Studio Meetings: Whatever it is, it can wait. Meeting with the promotions director about a weekend promotion isn’t as important as the next segment.
What To Do With All That Time?
Eliminate distractions, and you’ll unlock time to concentrate on making the show better. You might wonder what to do while waiting for the next segment to start. Here are some ideas:
Answer the studio phone instead of leaving it on hold or letting it right. It’s excellent customer service, and you’ll give someone who cares enough to call the radio station a personal experience they’ll probably tell someone else about. You might also get some content you can use.
Review upcoming content and fine-tune the plan for that next segment. Share it with the team so everyone is locked in and focused.
Rewrite and edit a tease (or two) for the next break. That’s assuming the teases were created in advance. They were, right?
Listen to the song or news content to craft a connected response and build a bridge to your next segment.
Everything else can wait. Shift everything else to before or after the show:
Decompress: Give everyone 30 minutes of free time after the show to catch up on personal communication.
Meetings: Schedule appointments to take care of internal business.
Prepare: Plan tomorrow’s show.
Promote: Address social media strategies and opportunities.
Conclusion
Distractions are minor at first but tend to snowball. Maybe you only checked X because the host was on Facebook or having breakfast. That’s no excuse. Instead of copying their behavior, hold them accountable. Nobody succeeds unless the team succeeds. Being a radio star is not a four-hour gig any more than being an all-pro football player takes just four hours on Sunday or a rock star works for a couple of hours a night. Performing at a high level is all-consuming.
Why is your performance less valuable? Spend every second preparing physically and mentally to be the best. Commit to your show, your station, and your career. It will pay off.
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