Don’t say these things (if you want to retain listeners)

It was a genuine head in hands moment for me. 

An experienced broadcaster, on a national radio station delivering a masterclass in what NOT to do. 

What went wrong?

Here are the three things he said in his opening link which for me are all big no no’s for anyone trying to engage an audience, whether that’s on a radio show or a podcast. 

“How are you doing everybody?”

“I feel like I’ve been here all day.”

“I’ve been {at this station} 30 years and I’m gonna tell you more about it…”

Firstly, let's discuss using the word “everybody”. Listening is a personal experience and as a presenter you should only ever talk to one person. “How are you doing?” works much better. 

Never highlight a negative

Second - the comment about feeling like he’d been there all day is highlighting a negative especially when many people listen while doing mundane things. I think saying something like this only serves to highlight their own situation rather than lift them out of it through entertainment. For someone in the privileged position of being well paid to host a national radio show it just doesn’t sit right with me.

It’s like complaining of tiredness to overstretched work colleagues when you’ve just come back from a holiday. Awkward?

Make it about the listener

Thirdly, the ‘tease’ about how he’s celebrating 30 years and will tell us more about it. This feels self indulgent - he’s making the show about him - when it should always be about the listener. 

You may have worked out which presenter I’m referring to - well done you. I’m not naming them because who they are isn’t the point here.

A large part of what we do at The Podcast Coach is help people to understand how important language is when it comes to hosting a podcast. Small tweaks can make a big difference to how your listeners feel, how they relate to you and ultimately whether they decide to stick around. 

I’d love to know your thoughts.

Our Creative Content Director, Ben, has written a blog all about podcast language from his unique perspective as a national radio presenter. Check it out here.