What type of radio announcer are you?

As a radio author and broadcaster, I feel privileged to be able to sit on both sides of the microphone. Do I prefer one over the other? Possibly, but both can be exciting experiences if done correctly.

The role of the radio announcer is no different than being a host / hostess in one's home. Both situations require us to be hospitable and make sure that our guests have everything they need to be comfortable and relaxed.

When we are in our homes, we make sure there are no awkward silences or embarrassing moments to distress them, by being prepared to strike up a conversation and regain slack by filling in the gaps in the conversation, asking them about their families, work, stories of our own , world news and, of course, if all else fails, "the weather"! Our job as a hostess is to make sure that our guests feel at home and are really glad that they came to visit us. It is exactly the same when a guest visits our radio show. They are coming to our workspace, so the Host rules apply. I say SHOULD, as a growing trend is emerging among some Radio Hosts, where the GUEST is not only asked to do all the work but also pay for the privilege. Are you kidding me?

If you host a VANITY Show, admit that that's what it is. If you have decided to pay someone a large amount of money to organize a show (when you can do it practically for free), then that is a decision you made. Your guests shouldn't have to pay for it. They are what MAKE your show. Without them, you are a one-voice wonder, unless that's the real premise of your show, which is great!

I have to admit that I have declined interviews due to the amount of work a presenter wants me to do just to be on their show. What exactly am I talking about? Over and over again, I'm asked to submit a list of 10 questions, write my own introduction, submit a bio with the exact number of words you want, get publicity or pay them, and basically deliver an interview in a basket in my time and my dime! All for a 10-minute interview with someone who is not even established with followers or has a Best DAB radios. HELLO!!! What's wrong with this image?


I suppose the question then raises: "What do you consider to be the work of Radio Hosts?" In my lexicon, they are journalists, and as such they should find, research, write, and decide what their show includes, what will make it interesting, and research facts about their guests to delight, recognize, and support them. Heck, I even hope you read his books! (Please don't give me the bullshit, you don't have time). When you really put this kind of work on your show, you will be amazed at the reactions of your guests. His respect for you goes A LOT. They promote the interview more and the quality of their program and their work begins to shine.

It is important that you ask meaningful questions that result in an interesting, if not passionate, dialogue between you, your guests, and even more importantly: your listeners! If you're lucky enough to get a call on the show, it's important to remember that not everyone listens live, so your job is to ask questions that a listener wants to ask themselves. How can you do that if ALL you know about your guest is the 10 questions you asked him?

As a guest, I find myself asking the SAME 10 questions about my book and my VERY boring job. Believe me after the tenth interview, I feel robotic. It's hard to keep getting excited about a topic your interviewer doesn't care about beyond the questions you provided. No back and forth, no thoughts of their own on the subject. To be honest, you probably don't even want to share this interview with my listeners or followers. Why do you ask? Because I should? My audience has already listened to the answers to these questions endlessly. They long for something new and different, and so do I.

If you want to be a better journalist (and that's being a radio presenter), I suggest you stop taking the easy path and start putting real effort into your shows. They will certainly improve both from a content and audience point of view and so will their skills.

My guests really appreciated knowing that my back was turned during an interview and they were always VERY pleasantly surprised that I was able to quote their books.