Produce a News and Opinion Podcast for Your City

Here's a business idea that you can take and run with especially it if nobody is doing this in your city or town. Produce a news and opinion podcast for your city. One of my favorite podcast is The Daily from The New York Times. They started this franchise in 2017 and now have millions of listeners for this daily podcast. In 2019 I began to produce my podcast called the “20 minute Morning Show” which I tried to keep up with the rigors of doing a daily podcast but after maybe 9 months I figured out I could not compete with the New York Times Newsroom with hundreds of reporters contributing daily content, audio engineers and producers and overwhelming production value; that it was just too much to try to duplicate.I kind of scaled things back and tried to figure out what could work for me. So one particular opportunity came up where some friends in Charlotte who have a barber shop franchise called No Grease opened a shop in South Park Mall which is a very ritzy upscale mall in Charlotte North Carolina. There was a controversy about the lease for their store and we found out that the mall wanted that barber shop out of South Park mall. We took action and produced a podcast talking about it.( https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/UxDuhrv36Ib )  It went viral and got into the Charlotte Observer newspaper(Article from 3.2.2021 https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/whats-in-store/article249628383.html?fbclid=IwAR1U-Jm-3GPBL-GFlouo0sOL2j79Bg7Ax8SPCho8Yz5OiCZrfbkOMiitj0A which made South Park Mall back down and actually offer them a new lease. I found the power of podcasting in that moment to say wow you can use this as a tool and cover stories that nobody else in your Market is covering just like on the radio. These are the type of things I use to do on my morning show in Charlotte on Power 98. So take the opportunity to do something that nobody else in your marketplace is doing.  I would do it as often as I could and you create the weekly schedule. Even if you want to be ambitious and try to put something out everyday, if it was three to five minutes it will be a value to the audience in that city. Podcasting is so exciting and you can make a living off of it if you're willing to be patient, because podcasting is indeed the long game in the New Media space. I still have that ambition for putting out a high quality daily news and opinion podcast.(smile)

Show Prep: The Power Of the Outcome Of Tomorrow

Show prep is nothing more than making a road map for your show or podcast. It's simply finding things that you are interested in talking about and developing talking points that are interesting for the audience to engage with you. You've got to talk about what you know. You got to talk about your personal experiences with your topic. You've got to introduce something that you think your audience is not aware of; then you've got to have an opinion about it. In creating humor for your show, look for the funny. Look for the opportunities to embellish something with your own brand of humor. Get comfortable saying out loud what you keep on the inside. That's the key to becoming unique. People who make blanket statements using generic jargon and filler words to try and make themselves sound intelligent in a conversation show they have a lack of depth. You're playing it too safe; you're not risk-taking with your material, and therefore your material is a big Thud. Show prep is all about content development; sometimes it's good to have five strong, well-developed things to talk about during your show than to have 25 to 30 ideas that cause you to be very sterile and generic. The more you take time out to develop your content, you will produce the outcome that you are looking for every day. Show prep takes more than one hour like most people think. If your only responsibility is to produce a great show every day, then how many hours after you get off the air should be dedicated to producing the outcome that you want for tomorrow's show? That is a serious question if you want to be great connecting with your audience.

4 Things to Do As Soon As You Get Off The Air today

1. As soon as you get off the air, get into the discipline of getting in attack mode to start working on your show for tomorrow. Rehash some things for tomorrow that you didn’t get to today and come up with 5 items as talking points. What worked well on today's show? 2. Then go Live your life, visit, talk on the phone, eat dinner, chat, meander, and then write down whatever was interesting while you were out and about in the city. Notice your surroundings, and interactions with random people, family, pets, or personal experiences.(Write down 5 things) 3. Write down 5 things you saw on television last night, 5 things you saw in the city that were interesting, and 5 memorable interactions or observations from your daily life. 4. Go to bed early and write down final thoughts. Things you do not want to miss doing on the show tomorrow. That's 25 or more ideas. Some may be more developed than others, but you got some good stuff to work from.

"Am I a Character or Am I Me?"

When I'm talking on the phone to a friend, do I write out a series of one-liners and jokes to make the conversation interesting, or do I just let it happen naturally? A lot of program directors always tell you to look for the funny in every situation, and you should look for the funny to be a humorous show. Look for the relatable, look for the opportunities to personalize your material on the air. I say yes to all of those, but I have never bought into the fact that a morning show has to be a non-stop contrived laugh track for people to like listening to you. Make them laugh. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I say just be human, just be yourself. Don't try to be who you are not in a conversation. It makes the whole experience very, very goofy and hard to follow. It makes the show disjointed, and the co-host on your show are trying to find their place in the conversation instead of chiming in naturally. Some of the funniest things that happen on radio shows are thoughts that come out of nowhere. You always should know where you want the break to end, but the more people are themselves, the more vulnerable they feel in sharing things they never would share the better the payoff. The more personal you get, the more interesting you become on air. Always remember that.

The Impact of Being Real On Air Creates Unexpected Relationships

On this blog, I talk about the importance of embracing your true self, and allowing the real you to shine through. Connecting with others begins with embracing what you may think is weird about yourself, and if you suppress that, you’ll struggle to connect with the people who genuinely share the same perspective that you have. In 2022, I fully embrace this mantra that simply says “The people I’m looking for are looking for me”. I use this in all aspects of my life, and it takes the pressure off trying to appeal to everyone because it’s simply not realistic that you will connect with every individual that you encounter. That’s not the way life works. I’ll give you an example of how saying what I felt got me into trouble but it also fostered a beautiful relationship. While I was in Charlotte on WPEG Power 98 in the mid 90s there was a middle school called Coulwood. There were a lot of fights going on with the students, and one morning I got on the air said that’s not Coulwood, that's Crazy Wood. Boy Did the phone lines light up with parents being upset with me.I had to go to the school to apologize to the principal and I told them I was sorry and I felt bad when I got over there.The students were mad at me , but we formed a beautiful relationship. I became a mentor to the students and became friends with the teachers. I still work with the students in Charlotte Mecklenburg school system. I was trying to be funny on the air by being myself and it kind of worked out. How about if I did not take that risk? I am not advocating making students feel bad because they have problems at their school, but it caused a reaction and started a conversation in that community. So, my advice is to embrace your uniqueness, explore individuality, and take some of those insights and use them for your own communication style. As a personality radio coach, I encourage you to distinguish yourself from others. That’s what I do, and that’s what I try to practice every day. I’m very misunderstood to this day but remember, the real you will attract genuine connections, and it means taking a risk every day whether people will accept you for you or not. And if they don’t connect, that’s not the person that was looking for you.

"We Are In A Dog Fight For Our Careers."

One of my old radio buddies, Hozey Mack, contacted me on LinkedIn in response to the article I wrote about “Personal growth from a brutal career setback—a story you didn't know about me”. I discussed my experience leaving Charlotte and working in Dallas-Fort Worth, and how the rug was pulled out from under me. The article struck a nerve, garnering significant response. While listening to motivational guru, ET Thomas, he emphasized, "We've got to remember that we are in a dog fight. We are in a dog fight for our careers." When people make decisions that are not in our best interest, we must learn how to manage disappointment and recover quickly. Traumatic experiences altering our family's trajectory are things we are often times unprepared for. Resiliency is a tool we must carry and learn to master. We must teach this to people in media and entertainment. By mastering resiliency we focus on what we can control. We don’t waste time on what we cannot control. We must reclaim our time. Continue to be determined to pursue your definite chief aim for your career. Yes, we are indeed in a dog fight. Picture a snarling pit bull with Dracula fangs, saliva dripping from its mouth, eyeing anything obstructing our path. The inner dog urges, "I'm ready to overcome you; you won't hinder my progress.” This symbolizes confronting fear, doubt, and the opinions of others. It's never too late to fight for our dreams. Only when laid to rest, unable to pursue our ambitions, does the battle end. So while we are living, pull your dog back out. LOL To all veterans in radio, broadcasters, and entertainment professionals feeling inadequate, remember your capabilities. “You must do all the things that YOU KNOW you are capable of doing while you still have time”! Reignite your determination and press forward toward your dreams. Get your dog back out and fight!

Have a Positive Mental Attitude Towards Creating Your Show Content

A change of attitude towards the approach to doing your show every day is the Difference Maker. Your positive mental attitude towards creating your show, producing it, and executing it on the air every day will catapult you by leaps and bounds over your competitor. The heavy lifting of your daily activity is coming up with content that will make your audience make an appointment to listen to you, the 5 or 10 minutes every day on their ride to work. Remember, listeners have a routine every day just like you do. Every time they tune in, let's give them something they can't get anywhere else. This requires a lot of alone time thinking. I am an advocate of having alone time every day with a stack of white paper pens of different colors, a laptop, silence, and just thinking. Don't settle for content that comes from somebody else's show prep service. I had an interesting conversation yesterday with one of the shows that I'm mentoring, and I said show prep services come from a guy who comes up with ideas and presents them to the people who subscribe to that service, and then the disc jockey adopts the mentality of a person as an authority over what you should say the next day. These people are like editors; they decide what they deem is important for you to talk about. But what about the other thousand things that they did not include in their show prep? Show prep services are great, don't get me wrong, because I think their usefulness is really just being fire starters and stimulating your creativity, but it's not the Bible. There are some that are much better than others, but if I had to rely on doing a show based on what somebody else produced for me to say; that's not cool. Every break, you want to make it a hit record like on an album. Some tracks are better than others, but when listeners check out your album (show) every day, you need to make sure you have more than just one hit on it. If you want to learn how to make a hit album, LOL, contact me. I'd love to be your coach, no matter if you are starting a podcast, a radio show, if you are a veteran, everybody needs a reminder of what their potential holds. Contact me.

A Radio Host is Like an Artist

When you talk about artistry, your radio show is like a fine painting. It's a piece of art in which the host uses the paintbrush of their imagination to create a show that connects with listeners. Every day, the show is a blank canvas. You can use all the colors you need to make it remarkable.  It's then displayed in the gallery of public opinion, where listeners judge it with their ears. In a world full of distractions, it's a high compliment, to capture people's attention. You should never save the best content for later on in the show; instead, hit em hard  first break! From this day forward, I want you to think of your show as a piece of artwork. It's a display of your creativity and talent. How your show comes across, says alot about you in a very intimate way.

Speak from Your Heart to Reach Your Listeners

Your unique point of view is different from anybody else on the planet. It makes you interesting to listen to. I talked to a young man the other day who is a Minister, and I told him that when I watched his video, it gave off a vibrant energy and spirit. The way he expressed himself, taking information that has been revealed, but putting his unique understanding and spin on it, gave the subject more depth. It was like he owned it. He even gave more avenues to explore from the subject that were mind-blowing. I said, "Wow, you have a unique way of expressing yourself that you own."

When he speaks, he is sure of the next word he’s going to say, and because he gets so much joy out of it, you enjoy it as well. It’s coming from the root of his belief of what he's sure about that lies in his heart. And that’s how we as radio personalities connect with people because when they hear us, it should be a meaningful experience between two people. A brother told me, "If you speak from your heart to my heart, you will connect with me every time."

I want you to begin to deep dive into what you’re about to say to others. Could it have more depth? Could I give more meaning to this subject than just reading something because everybody else is talking about the same thing that day? Most people are surface dwellers; they never go beyond the surface to find their unique perspective on subjects that the world is discussing. Just take your time with a blank piece of paper in front of you and write. Gather your facts and then be honest. Don't take into consideration of what you think some imaginary person out there wants to hear. Tell them what you want them to know. You may say something in a unique way that no one has thought about.

You turn on the TV, and it’s like everybody has the same script, the same talking points. Over the weekend, I  kept hearing the phrase "Iran is not using proxies this time", so every television station was using the same verbiage. Regurgitating the same information like everybody else makes you the same. Let's get away from that.

The people that stand out in the media are the ones who are not afraid to share their unique perspective. Why don’t you be one of those people? You will find your listeners calling you saying, "You know what? I always love your unique perspective, and that’s why I listen to you and not the other show."

Everybody Needs a coach contact me and let's get you to the next level.

Audacy’s AI Voice Library is a Wake Up Call for Radio Personalities Everywhere

Today, I came across news that Audacy is assembling a library of AI voices to assist its 700+ stations. It's a strategic move, and honestly, it makes sense. Embracing AI can significantly slash costs, potentially saving millions of dollars, crucial for their survival. We've often criticized radio operators for prioritizing cost-cutting, sometimes labeling it as greed. But now, survival is the name of the game.

Here's my proposition: Grab your phone and explore every communication platform available to you. It's time to craft your own media empire. Over the next 2 to 3 years, commit to building your own audience. Every day, individuals are doing this. If you wish to continue your artistry as a radio personality, you must embrace this change and create your own digital planet and invite listeners to come and visit your world of audio video and the written word that you are creating. And mark my words, the longer you delay in cultivating your online audience, the tougher it'll get. The world is at your fingertips. Don’t wait for anybody to put you on. Put yourself on!

What I advocate is a continual journey of mastering the art of reaching in to the hearts of listeners and making real connections. We must continuously refine our ability to engage, and the only path I know is simply being the best version of oneself. It's taken me years to truly understand and embody this, and as I step into my 59th year of life, I'm excited for the possibilities ahead.

 I'll be sharing my journey with you  of  how I have silently been amassing a listenership of 1.1 million individuals over the past two years. Through my own streaming syndication network, I reach listeners nationwide and receive calls from every corner of the country. The next phase entails growing my monetization and reach. I had to believe in myself and build an audience first though. Forge your  own path and continue doing what you love. Reach out to me for more insight. I am an advocate for radio personalities, podcasters and communicators.

The Differentiating Factor: Attention to Detail Separates Mediocrity From Greatness on Air

At the end of the day, everything in life boils down to how prepared you are to face the day's tasks. If you know you have to prepare for your radio show, always be in the mindset that when you get off at 10 o’clock after doing your morning show, you have the whole day to figure out what you're going to bring to the people on tomorrow's show. How could it be that from 10 AM until 6 AM the following day, you're not prepared to present your best offering to your audience? It's a lack of will and operating as an amatuer. Scratch that; that’s not good. Getting to the radio station at 5 AM and having an hour to prepare before you go on the air at 6 o’clock is the norm. That's not impressive.

What about taking a break, regrouping yourself, after your show and go into an office,  or go to the library, and carve  out a couple of hours in the afternoon to meticulously prepare for each hour on the show? Then when you wake up in the morning, whatever  broke overnight, you can add that to the show. But your show should never be based on you getting to the radio station at 5 AM, copying and pasting, looking at show prep websites, making copies and giving it to the team and saying here's today's show prep. If that’s what you believe will make you a high-income earner on the radio, you are really fooling yourself. 

Show prep is the key to standing out in a sea of mediocrity. Preparation is the key to standing out as an executive in anticipation of what may show up out of the blue. Because you’re so prepared, you're never rattled or caught off guard during the four hours that you’re on the air. You should take pride in that every day. I think you should spend no less than five hours a day preparing for the next day's show. It will make a big difference in your performance because the more prepared you are, the more spontaneous and creative you can be.

At one point, I was getting to the station at 3 AM every morning, and I said I want to be the first morning man in the country at work. My attitude towards my show helped me in my career. One of my students right now is doing mornings, and she is absolutely killing the competition within a year of her being at new radio station. She also has taken it upon herself to get to her job at 3 AM every morning, She has surpassed the heritage radio station's morning show numbers, and is on her way to domination because of her attitude towards preparing for her show. This is what I teach, and this is what I know. Everybody needs a coach. Contact me if you want to be the best in your city; you've got to make some sacrifices.

86% of Listeners Prefer Genuine Personalities Over Polished Ones

The 2024 CRS Research Presentation by Smith Geiger stated that 86% of listeners prefer genuine personalities over polished ones.

"So, what does that mean? I believe it means that people would rather hear a person from off the street who has the audacity to say what he really feels about a situation than a personality who tries to sound fancy, use big words, and beat around the bush to get to the point, wasting their time. Now, there’s nothing wrong with having a nice polished sound on the air, but why can’t you just talk like a regular person? Some people have to go through years of dismantling that mindset of thinking that they have to turn into this character with a certain type of sounding voice in order for people to like them and to think that they're a professional disc jockey.

But the more you let that go and concentrate on saying things in the manner that you always speak, like when you are with your best friends from high school and you guys get together once a year and you make them laugh uncontrollably because you can be yourself with them… That’s the person that we want to hear on the radio; that’s the real you. I’m telling you, it takes a long time to program yourself, and that’s why today, the people that you hear on the radio have not been radio-ized, and people gravitate to them, sometimes more than people who have been doing radio for decades. You gotta get out of this jockey mode and just be a human.

Most people are afraid to let themselves be real… But I think we need to really study what is real and not just say it but really help people to understand what that is. They say just be real. Or just be authentic. There has to be some psychological work done on yourself first to really know who you are and what you stand for in life. So, this takes some time of feeling comfortable with who you are. Because some people really don’t even know themselves.

If you never give your true insight on things because you’re afraid of how somebody’s gonna judge what you say, then that’s not being real. When you feel like you have to say this in order to be pleasing to somebody and some of us are debilitated by the judgment of others, then you are not in tune with what it means to be yourself. And trust me, when you decide to be yourself and not be the same person that agrees with what everybody says as a yes man or yes woman, some people actually are not going to like you. So, I think that’s one of the things that you have to get comfortable with. You gotta be comfortable with people not liking you because of who you are and that’s fine.

So, it would be a shame to be a masquerade of yourself all your life because you’re afraid of people’s opinions about you. So, if you think about all the people that you like on the radio that have separated themselves from the mundane mediocrity that comes across the airways, you have to say that they reached the point in their career where they just let it go; they said, 'I’m just gonna be myself and whatever happens happens,' and then they found the door to their success.

Again, I must preface, I’m not talking about being vulgar. I’m not talking about being a shock jock, somebody who’s talking about highly sexualized content or somebody that makes disparaging comments about other people as their shtick. I’m not talking about that type of person. Most of the time, that’s a character that people think will get them the notoriety that they’re looking for, but it’s not. So, maybe we need to do some self-examination and spend a lot of time with ourselves and getting to know us so we can represent ourselves to the world. That’s what I think we should work on. You’ve got to trust the process. It may take years for you to really find your true voice of who you really are. I had to do that."

Marginal Improvements Lead To Great On-Air Performance

When I was starting out in radio, I was meticulous about avoiding mistakes on air. I would script everything in first person, rehearse it repeatedly, and only then would I dare to open the mic. One vivid memory is from my time at Foxy 107 in Raleigh Durham in 1985 while I was still in college. I worked the 6 AM to 12 noon shift, and before each shift, I diligently wrote out my breaks and rehearsed them. There was this particular 12-second jingle where we transitioned from the weather forecast to Foxy 107, and hitting the post perfectly was my pride and joy. 

I'd listen to my airchecks obsessively.  While in college during Christmas breaks I'd buy packs of cassette tapes have classmates record New York radio stations for me to study in a pursuit of a career in the big city.

If you're new to radio and aspire to excellence, find someone to emulate. I never settled for mediocrity and took immense pride in presenting myself as a professional. A crucial lesson from my teacher, Donald Baker at Shaw University, was about being detailed—whether in radio, podcasts, or television, excellence lies in the details. Don't take the moment for granted; it's the difference between mediocrity and greatness on air. Making marginal improvements daily, refining delivery, seeking feedback, and constantly striving to better yourself is the key to success in any career, especially in performance-oriented fields. What does marginal mean incremental change. Incremental change requires just a modest adjustment. Something small that you can work on everyday. (Read The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy)

It wasn't always easy to hear criticism, but having a coach who cares enough to be honest is invaluable. Too many people are steeped in mediocrity due to their ego. They don't want feedback from anybody so they sound the same for decades. We're fostering a culture where mediocrity is accepted as good, but true excellence is recognizable to the discerning ear. In conclusion, the small decisions we make daily to improve will have a significant impact on our progress and audience perception. When another human being decides to spend time with you to tune in to your show, you should be honored to give them your best.  Marginal improvements are the cornerstone of exceptional on-air performance.

Personal Growth From a Brutal Career Setback: A Story You Don't Know About Me

At one point in my life, I felt like I wasted about 3 years in disillusionment and disappointment. I was dwelling on why things didn't work out. I was in a top 5 market doing mornings, I was a syndicated morning show and I was on a great trajectory; and one day the rug was pulled out from under me. I was in a daze. I had just bought a house and it's ironic that the furniture I ordered was delivered on the day they replaced my show..Damn. It was a humiliating experience where they would not let me out of my contract, and decided to put me in the station promotional van, giving out prizes in the morning during the Steve Harvey Show that replaced my show. Could you imagine that? I have never forgotten that... Wow! They would not pay me out of my contract so I had to find another job to get out of that situation. A Lot of people don't know this about my career path, but it messed me up. I later went to Chicago after that which I will write about at a later time.

How do you recover from that type of harsh career disappointment? That was brutal. It took a long time for me to work this part of my life out. Thank God that I journal so I was able to sort out my feelings and analyze some things.(I'll Share some of those entries with you soon). Being a man of faith, I prayed to my creator and asked him to help me sort out things. I'm not gonna lie to you that there where many nights I did not go to sleep. I would stay up all night long writing, thinking and talking to myself. I realized that this episode was a necessary event in my life to help me become the man that I am today. "There is no Growth without pain". The media business is high risk high reward and you have to accept this reality. during that time I lost my brother and my mother, so I was under a severe trial.

I now teach others how to recover and manage disappointment. I vividly remember hearing Les Brown speak about losing his television show and wasting eight years of his life dealing with disappointment. Despite his energetic and vibrant demeanor, he too succumbed. It struck me when his son asked him, "Is this how it’s going to end Dad?" A radio vet Chris Clay invited me for coffee one morning and posed a similar question about my future. BJ is this it? 

As a 15-year-old boy in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the radio bug bit me hard in 1980. I had a clear vision of emulating my heroes like Tom Joyner, Doug Banks, and Donnie Simpson (I'll talk about my relationship with these men later articles). Despite doubts from others, I pursued radio passionately, working at three stations simultaneously during college. Some family doubted the viability of a radio career, but I remained steadfast in my dreams. 

So that young boy that was so excited about pursuing his radio dreams was sitting in my head with his hands up asking the question, "Are you coming back to get me"? It took a minute but I went back and grabbed him by the hand and said let's continue. And that's what I'm doing today. I plan on working well into my 80's (God willing)  on my passion to be great at radio.

If you are stuck right now from disappointment. Let me help you learn how to recover. I am a non judgemental friend. Contact me..bjmurphyshow@gmail.com

Listeners are Waiting On The Real You to Show Up

One of the overarching themes for the blackradiotalent.com blog is learning how "Being the Real You" is what will attract your listener base . The people who are looking for your voice are waiting on you. I think the word authentic sounds generic, and they make it sound like it’s easy to do, and I think people have the wrong idea of what authenticity is. It’s not making up your mind one day that you’re gonna try to shock the world and saying something that maybe other people would never say or saying something for shock value. It is saying on a microphone what you say to yourself in private when nobody else is looking and you bring it to the microphone. It is saying on-air what you say to yourself while riding in the car alone and bringing that conversation to the microphone. But, because we are afraid of the feedback that may come with that, we won't risk being vulnerable. The real you is simple. Say the things that originate from your heart and not someone else's heart  to connect with people. I heard Jordan Peterson say whatever the truth is, it's good. Whatever comes out of the truth that you speak is good. If a person stops liking you because of a truth that you spoke, then that’s good, because if the truth produced that, then what else is there after truth? Whatever effect that comes from truth has to be good..... right? I have lost people in my life because of truth. What can I do about that? Good can never come from being false. Great comedy and memorable moments on the radio are based off the resonant power of truth. With this new world of digital media, it's your chance to give to the world what you desire on your terms. The gatekeepers are gone, and the gate is wide open. Take your time developing your audience for the next 3 to 5 years and never look back. If you would like to discuss this with me further, I would love to coach you and collapse time for on your journey into becoming a world class communicator. Contact me.

The Ripple Effect of Being Genuine On Air

You can never serve people that you think you are better than. You can never talk to people in a way that is warm, and caring if you think that they are less than you. You can never help people if what you offer them is empty words that sound good over the radio, but when the time comes to offer your assistance and follow through on promises, you fall short. The radio station is a signal that beams out, covering a 50 mile radius, and you are also a signal that carries with it an electrical impulse. My motto since 2022 has been that the people that I’m looking for are looking for me. The listeners that I am looking for want to hear me too. If I’m the best version of myself, and I prepare daily to present myself to my audience, and if they like me, and if enough of them like me, I will garner a number that reflects the influence that I have on them to tune in to my show on a daily weekly basis.

But in today’s world, we are competing with the smartphones that the designers of them have made them virtually impossible to resist and put down for a moment. So, it all boils down to whether I can become so interesting to listen to that, for maybe 5 to 10 minutes out of somebody’s day, I could earn their attention. And that’s what it is all about. You have to earn attention; it’s not given to you. And the harder you work to perfect your style of communication, you can captivate people onto your platform, and they will come and visit with you often because to them you are an interesting person to spend time with. So, what we want to do with blackradiotalent.com is to teach you how to cut the fat away from your mode of communication because there is a science to effectively communicating with people. And through my 40 years of radio, and as I constantly evolve, I know for a fact that I could help you become better as an air performer. Everybody needs a coach. Contact me; let's talk.

Building Trust through Transparency

How can listeners trust you?

Why are some people's words more trusted than others? In our daily human interactions, a person's word means everything. Transparency lies at the root of that trust. When someone listens to you on the radio daily and feels they can rely on what you say, a bond of trust forms. This trust is built upon consistency. Never forget that people can feel the sincerity behind the words you speak. Words that carry weight are steeped in truth. Remember,  the truth governs the universe.

In today's society, transparency holds more significance than ever before. People seek information that they can count on. Editorial independence produces the courage to speak your personal truth. I urge you to assess your current situation. If you find yourself withholding the words you truly wish to convey, or if you feel unfulfilled as a broadcaster, consider this: in the brief span of life we have, it's futile to continue compromising your authenticity. The new currency in broadcasting demands truth and transparency.

Observing the world around us today, we witness individuals withholding information, driven by fear of consequences for speaking the truth. We need individuals unafraid of such repercussions, individuals who refuse to be enslaved by the judgement of others, individuals who recognize that their talent is a gift to be used boldly and truthfully.

How dare you subject yourself to such fear? Have the courage to embrace the talents bestowed upon you, to forge your own path. As I contemplate the next two decades, envisioning myself working well into my 80's, I aim to look back on my life with no regrets, having used my talents to their fullest potential and make meaningful contributions to the world.

It is our fear of the judgment of others that paralyzes us. Shed this fear and let truth resonate through the airwaves. Have fun being yourself.

Show Prep is all around us. Here are some observations

Show prep is all around us. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. What was the most interesting thing that happened to you yesterday?

2. Did you have an interesting phone conversation yesterday?

3. What did you see on TV last night that caught your eye?

4. Besides the score of the game last night, what else did you observe that was not mentioned?

5. What is sitting up in your mind that you may feel vulnerable about sharing with your audience? Maybe you should share it.

6. Are you afraid to share a viewpoint that is totally opposite of the pack? Share it on air.

7. One rule is to talk about things that you really find interesting. Leave generic opinions to other people. That is boring. Risk being on an island by yourself. It is rewarding.

8. Stay away from generic topics like "does your man cheat on you". Talk about the time you were cheated on, but don't leave out the part you don't want people to know how bad it was. Be honest and watch the responses come in. Share what you're afraid to share. Tell the truth. The truth attracts. You can tell when people are making things up; it just does not have the same energy.

My Thoughts on Totally relying on Show Prep Services for Daily Content

Are you too lazy to come up with your own show content? I mean, some of these services are pretty good, but most are not. You mean to tell me every day you are fine with doing a show that comes out of somebody else's mind? They took time to come up with ideas to present to you. Why don't you come up with some ideas yourself? Here's a question for you: Are show prep services for lazy DJs? A poll question, a crank call idea, some copy and paste entertainment news, a stupid poll question that is such a generic offering to your listeners. Granted, some show prep services crank out some good idea starters, but you can too. We just have to take time to think every day without distractions. So, to do your whole show around show prep that somebody else created besides you is the sign of a true amateur-sounding show. You should take pride in developing your own content every day. We want to hear what's coming out of your mind today. This is what makes you unique. This is why when you listen to these shows on the radio there is nothing there. So generic and so obvious. No risk-taking intellectually. People think pushing the envelope is to show how vulgar you can be or mean-spirited you can be on the radio and get away with it. Hiding behind a character and not presenting to the people the real you. Show prep and putting thought into your content distinguish exceptional radio performers from the mediocre ones. Show prep is all around us. 

Come up with your own opinions about what you see, hear, or observe every day, and people will find you interesting to listen to. Let me know your thoughts on this topic.

Sharing Experiences with Podcasts: A Call for Contributions and Insights from you to your Industry

When will you ever share what you know about the industry that you have chosen as a profession? Your podcast could be, "What I Know About What I've Done for the Last 40 Years." It's just that simple. You would have the corner on that market. How much wisdom are you withholding from us because you are thinking, "Well, nobody wants to hear what I have to say." Wrong! I told you in a previous writing that you are matchless and unduplicatable in your experiences that are unique to you. If you are willing to share from the heart what you know, and I mean the stuff that you know without a shadow of a doubt to be true from your experiences, I'm telling you that there are people who need to hear what you have to say. We want to hear podcasts that inspire us to be ourselves as we all are trying to make it known that we were here on this planet, no matter how long we live. Your gift that was given to you is a gift for the world. Don't hide it under a bushel basket. Let's formulate your messaging brand. Everybody needs a coach. I am him. Contact me and let's get you going.

Embracing Podcasting as a Key Platform for your Independent Voice

Don't compare yourself to Joe Rogan and the other big platforms that pour millions of dollars into their marketing of these Podcasts. I want you to take a niche programming approach to your podcast, and concentrate on what it is that you can stay in your studio and produce podcast after podcast because you enjoy talking about a passion of yours. That is your podcast. Remember, the people I'm looking for are looking for me. You have to help them find you, so you gotta be you and put out the content that comes from the heart. Your tribe will hear your voice. The more you do you, your people, your audience will find you. Lose your fear of being rejected and embrace the inner voice that you have hidden away. Lose your fear of the judgment of other people and speak. Out of the 8 billion people on the planet, there are thousands, maybe millions, who will be glad you showed up in their lives. They will say, "Finally, here is a person I feel I'm connected to." Nobody is more important than you or more special than you. God made you unique. You are a matchless human being. There is never gonna be another person like you on this earth, ever. Don't hide your talent. Come out from behind that sycamore tree and share yourself with the world. You may be the answer to somebody's prayer. Podcasting is that lifeline to humanity.

A Skill Every Personality Should Master:The First Exit Rule

The man who I credit with teaching me about how to do morning radio is Sam Weaver. Sam and I connected at WQMG in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989. I sent him over 50 aircheck tapes because I knew he had to open one of those packages, and he did. From that moment on, when he called me and said, "Come to Greensboro," he taught me everything I needed to know about being a great morning talent. He coached me like Bobby Knight coached his basketball teams at Indiana. I remember when we were in Dallas, Texas, together, and he was working with me on when to end a break. Not talking beyond the punchline and simply knowing when to end the break, which is a science, I think. What he taught me was the first exit rule. So, what is the first exit rule? It's knowing when to get off the highway of a conversation, exit off the ramp, and not talk beyond the punchline or point that had been made, avoiding unnecessary mindless chatter and annoying the listener. By practicing the first exit rule, listeners called me and said, "Man, y'all don't talk enough." Now who hears that these days? Most of the time, people call and say, "Y'all talk too much." But the first exit rule, I believe, brings the listener back for more because they enjoy the conversation and it satisfies their need just enough. People always talk about less is more, but they never teach you the science of why less is more and what the length of less is more is. How do you teach somebody about word economy and what's not necessary as a setup, getting straight to the point? Look, Sam would be on the phone with me while I was doing a break, and I'd hold the phone up to my ear while talking. He would tell me to exit off here, and I would go to the commercial. If I had a gigantic ego, I wouldn't have learned that skill, but I humbled myself to learn how valuable that skill was, and I've practiced it ever since. The first exit rule is not a length of time; it's based on when to exit a conversation after a point has been made, or the laughter in the studio reaches its highest height and not talking beyond that point. Go to commercials. Go to a song.  It also stretches the hour of your show. If there is more to add on from your last break. Save it for the next break if it's worth mentioning. So, everybody needs a coach. If you want to learn more about the first exit rule, I can teach you how to execute it. Contact me. I'd love to talk to you.

Don't wait for someone to put you on, put yourself on!

Don’t waste your time waiting for somebody to put you on. You have an obligation today to put yourself on. God gave you a talent. God gave you a skill and your gifts, talents, and skills and abilities will make a way for you if you would just believe in yourself. The Internet has leveled the playing field and eliminated gatekeepers. They can no longer tell you. No, you can’t be a radio personality. No, you can’t have a podcast. No, you can’t be a television reporter. No, you can’t be a television anchor. No, you can’t be a movie maker. No, you can’t be behind the camera to produce content that the world can see. Now you can go directly to the world, but you still have to be trained on how to effectively keep and grow your audience. That’s why we created Black Radio Talent to help people find their way and their brand. Everybody needs a coach because if you don’t know, you could waste a lot of time. My job is to collapse time for you and move you quicker to your intended goal. So with that being said, decide what it is that you really, really want to do with yourself for the next 5 to 10 years and then go for it and never look back, there’s no such thing as quitting because when you quit, you gotta start all over again. Nothing that we do ever turns out exactly like we want it because there will be roadblocks, stumbling blocks, different things that come up that you didn’t expect but you have to learn how to manage disappointment and overcome all obstacles in your path to reach the level of success that you know you’re capable of achieving. This is called the uphill road that many who say they want to be independent fail in realizing, because when it gets too hard people give up. And I’m saying this to preface that when you decide to put yourself on, and not wait for somebody else to put you on, it may take a little while, but boy is it worth it. So in closing, don't you dare subject yourself under another human being, asking them permission to be put on .Put yourself on. You owe it to yourself to see how far you can take your talent. Don't ask anyone permission to use what belongs to you........Please!

At 74 years my man is creating content on line with UIN TV...Alexander Kaydin CHECK OUT HIS WORK

Go tho his website and check out the content he is creating daily. A daily newscas heard on over 100 streaming affiliates. (https://www.myuin.net/) I'm immensely proud of my friend Alexander Kayden. He's relentlessly pursuing his passion for broadcasting at 74. When I found out about what he was doing in 2015, creating content daily for streaming radio stations and a handful of terrestrial stations, I was impressed. When I learned about his endeavor, I wholeheartedly supported him, cheering him on as he refused to give up on gaining affiliates and monetizing his valuable service. Alexander's story is a testament to the power of self-initiative. Instead of waiting for someone to put him on, he took matters into his own hands and put himself on, using his creative talents to put himself on the map. His dedication and drive are truly inspiring. As the radio landscape continues to evolve, I have no doubt that Alexander's work will only continue to flourish. He's a shining example of resilience and determination, and I couldn't be prouder of his accomplishments. Here's to Alexander Kayden, a true trailblazer in the world of broadcasting.

Why I created this Black Radio Talent Blog

Some tips to have an extraordinary career in Radio

"Do what others won’t do, and get really uncomfortable, and watch yourself grow. If you have a lot of ambition for your radio career, don’t take the easy way out. Keep your foot on the gas. Execute, even when you don’t see results. Practice, Practice, Pratice. Create your own stage. Say to yourself, 'I am not afraid to change.' Sink or swim on your own terms. Create your daily routine and stick to it. Eliminate the feeling of 'I have arrived.' Stay hungry at all times until your death. When you’re dead, you will be able to rest eternally; keep working; there is no such thing as retirement. This is your life, and you can become and be and do whatever you desire. Just remember that your ambition and work ethic every day must match the words that you speak. So, the best thing to do is to be silent and let your work speak for you."

Share Yourself With Your Listeners

Vulnerability is a powerful tool for connection on the radio. The more willing you are to share the real you with your audience, the higher the likelihood of establishing a meaningful bond. It's about embracing your humanity. Allow yourself the freedom to open up about your daily experiences. By sharing your life, you create intimacy. That's how you become best friends right? One way to captivate your listeners is by speaking your unique perspective into your content. Share your opinions, insights, and outlook on life. What sets you apart is what makes you interesting to listen to. Reflect on your experiences and see how they intersect with the day's top stories. By practicing storytelling and finding connections between your life and current events, you will connect with your audience and give them permission to share their lives with you. I urge you to practice with yourself while riding in the car. Have a conversation with yourself and bring it on the air. Embrace vulnerability. Create a compelling listening experience. Make yourself say wow when you turn off the mic.(smile)

Personality Radio: Is a daily commitment

Creating a personality driven radio show every day takes a lot of thinking time alone. What were you gonna say different than just saying P Diddy had his house raided by the feds. I have a recurring conversation for this whole saga that will evolve over time for this big story. I want you to sit down and think about 10 to 12 things associated with this P Diddy drama that is coming from your mind. Don’t regurgitate what you’ve been hearing other people say on tv or what you read on some prep service. Just trust yourself to come up with your own view or camera angle lense on this story. Give your personal opinion with facts from the story and go for it. Talk about what turns you on about this story or anything you talk about on air. Be a risk taker and be you!

Listen to my angle on the P.diddy story of his home being raided for sex trafficking

A Talent's Responsibility

Your responsibility is to ensure there is a show on the air the next day worth listening to. Your responsibility is to never take your audience for granted by arriving late, and preparing for your show at the last minute,hoping for the best, by doing breaks where you have no idea where it's going. A talent's responsibility is not to waste an opportunity to capture a listener's attention in an atmosphere where there are so many distractions that you could lose your listener in 30 seconds. A talent's responsibility is to make your show so interesting to listen to that if one of your listeners receives a phone call in the middle of one of your breaks and they let it go to voicemail because they want to hear what you have to say, then you have done your job. Your responsibility is to become just as important as a family member in your listeners' lives. How do you establish that kind of influence on strangers and make them part of your tribe every day? You've got to put the work in. You've got to put thought into everything that you put on the air, and I promise you will reap the rewards. There is a big difference between radio personalities who prepare and those who come in right before it's time to go on the air. Try getting to the studio 2 to 3 hours before your show and prepare for every stop set, and you will find that you will be the more spontaneous you have ever been in your life, because of the confidence and knowing you are prepared. If you are striving to be dominant in your market, stick with this blog because every day, I'm going to inspire you to be your best on the radio. Everybody needs a coach. Contact me, and let's talk.

As an on air personality, what do you really know about yourself?

As an on-air personality, what do you really, really, really know about yourself? Have you taken the time to sit down in a quiet room and think about all the things that you want to do and say with your radio show? What do you know to be true about yourself? There was a lady named Sarah Kay from the UK in a TED talk who brought up that question about making a list of the top 10 things you know to be true about yourself and how much of that is going on the air. That is a great question. I would like to pose to you today, as a personality, no matter what format you are in, how much of you is really going on the air to connect with your audience? The more personal you are, the more people will connect with you. When I went to Dallas to do mornings at KRNB, I really began to discover who I was. They told me to just go in that studio and be a man and say what you wanna say and say it how you want to say it. I was liberated forever in that moment and I have not looked back. In this blog, if you come back every day, I will give you tips on how to uncuff yourself and free yourself on the air. On this blog, I will teach you to have something to say every day you’re on the air. You will make an impact with your listeners. Everybody needs good coaching. Contact me for more insight.

Show Rehearsal

Rehearsing your content will not take away your spontaneity on the air; it will make you more free to express yourself and be more creative in your break. Why? Because you know where you are trying to go, and because you are very familiar with your content, you can take the conversation different places and still land the plane where you want it. You may have a more creative ending to the break that was better than what you rehearsed. That is the magic and confidence that being prepared affords you. Why should you not be great for 30 seconds or 60 seconds or in a long-form talk set. Be the best in your market. Be the most prepared DJ on the air and take pride in your performance. Everybody needs a coach! Contact me if you want to know more about on-air execution.

Prepare to make tomorrow's show great

As a radio professional, your entire day should be dedicated to how to improve on tomorrow's show compared to today's. Reflecting on the wisdom of Tom Brady, hailed as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, who emphasized the importance of practicing as you play, it's evident that preparation translates to excellence in performance. The airwaves are saturated with mediocrity these days, where listeners are subjected to horrible content. Mediocre personalities simply breeze into the studio, last-minute sit down and just ramble. If your aim is to captivate your audience and keep them looking forward to your return the next day for more, be serious about show prep. Radio hosts must commit to intense preparation for each show. Dedicate 3 to 4 hours daily to brainstorming, researching, and writing. Create compelling content that will engage your listeners' and create an emotional attachment with you. Elevate your show every day, every week. Concentrate on making it better. You get better! Rehearse and practice your material and separate yourself from the pack!

Elevating Talent in the Radio Industry

I spoke with some new talent that I will be working with based in Long Island, New York today. They have an international show. They are four mix DJs, who have a penchant for great conversation on the history of the classic hip-hop era. When I first heard their show, I said these brothers have it! I’m just gonna help them shape the show up to practice more word economy. I really love working with talent especially when I know that the individual or group has the potential to go really far. I’m really excited about blackradiotalent.com where I will be able to share my expertise on how to engage Black Radio audiences and get talent get ratings. I mentor and help people find their way with their show. Whether you are a digital content personality, producer, radio personality, or an influencer, everybody needs a coach contact me directly at 704-905-2535.

Are you ready for the big pivot in media in 2024?

I saw this article in the New Yorker and wanted to shar this about the pivot that is taking place in media. Here are 3 points I want you to look at. "Is the Media Prepared for an Extinction-Level Event? Ads are scarce, search and social traffic is dying, and readers are burned out. The future will require fundamentally rethinking the press’s relationship to its audience". By Clare Malone February 10, 2024 **Analysis 1: Is the Media Prepared for an Extinction-Level Event?** - **Pivot Points:** - The decline of traditional media is evident through numerous layoffs and closures across broadcast, print, and digital news media. - Matthew Goldstein predicts an impending "extinction-level event" for media due to factors like news burnout, social media shifts, and Google's A.I.-integrated search. - Brian Morrissey suggests a future media landscape characterized by leaner operations and diversified revenue streams. - **Future of Media:** - Media outlets are urged to embrace innovative approaches such as events, e-commerce, and sponsored content to survive. - The focus is shifting towards consumer-funded models, where outlets explore subscriptions, donations, and alternative payment structures. - There's an acknowledgment of the need for a fundamental rethinking of the press's relationship with its audience to adapt to changing consumption patterns and revenue sources. - **What Media Outlets Should Be Doing:** - Exploring new revenue models beyond traditional advertising, including subscriptions, donations, and events. - Investing in audience engagement and personalization to enhance user experiences and retain subscribers. - Embracing technological advancements like A.I. cautiously and seeking compensation for the use of journalistic content by tech companies. **Analysis 2: Is the Media Prepared for an Extinction-Level Event?** - **Pivot Points:** - Traditional media faces significant challenges, including declining ad revenue and competition from digital platforms. - The emergence of A.I.-integrated search and changing consumer behaviors further exacerbates the crisis in the media industry. - Media outlets are compelled to explore alternative revenue streams and adapt to shifting audience preferences. - **Future of Media:** - The future of media entails a shift towards consumer-funded models and diversified revenue streams. - There's a growing emphasis on personalized user experiences and innovative content formats to engage audiences. - The survival of media outlets hinges on their ability to navigate technological disruptions and forge direct relationships with consumers. - **What Media Outlets Should Be Doing:** - Media organizations should prioritize experimentation with new revenue models and audience engagement strategies. - Embracing technological advancements like A.I. while safeguarding journalistic integrity and seeking fair compensation for content usage. - Fostering resilience and adaptability to thrive in an increasingly volatile media landscape. **Analysis 3: Is the Media Prepared for an Extinction-Level Event?** - **Pivot Points:** - The media industry faces unprecedented challenges, including layoffs, closures, and declining trust among audiences. - Technological disruptions, changing consumer behaviors, and shifting revenue dynamics contribute to the crisis in traditional media. - There's a pressing need for media outlets to reimagine their business models and adapt to evolving audience preferences. - **Future of Media:** - The future of media lies in innovative revenue strategies and enhanced audience engagement. - Media organizations must explore alternative funding sources such as subscriptions, donations, and events. - Embracing technology while upholding journalistic standards is crucial for the sustainability of media outlets. - **What Media Outlets Should Be Doing:** - Media entities should prioritize experimentation with new revenue models and digital platforms to diversify income streams. - Enhancing user experiences through personalized content and engagement strategies is paramount. - Building resilience and flexibility to navigate the uncertainties of the media landscape is essential for long-term survival.

Radio is a legacy platform hobbled by digital entertainment

Listeners tune out US radio in latest debt-fuelled crisis.Article shared from the Financial Times Jan 13, 2024 “You give us 22 minutes, we’ll give you the world” is the timeless slogan of New York radio station 1010 Wins. But the world is not enough for the creditors of Audacy, the radio conglomerate whose more than 200 stations include 1010 Wins. This week, Audacy filed for bankruptcy protection under the weight of $1.9bn of debt it could no longer shoulder.Radio was the backbone of multiple media empires across the 20th century. Today, it is a legacy platform hobbled by the encroachment of digital entertainment and the resulting change in consumer habits. Audacy joins the likes of iHeartMedia and Cumulus — large radio groups that have been forced to seek bankruptcy in order to restructure their debts and shrink their valuations.Radio’s pitch to advertisers was its ubiquity. The idea was that most people would tune in, at least for a few minutes, most days. As with television, election years would be an added boon thanks to political spots. Now, marketers are turning elsewhere. The diminution of the industry is painful and necessary.Audacy was born from the merger of stalwarts, Entercom Communications and CBS Radio in 2017. In 2019, it generated nearly $350mn in annual ebitda. Since the pandemic, however, listening has fallen by a quarter. Streaming services are luring audiences away. The number of Americans driving to work and tuning in to radio shows on their journey has also fallen. In 2024, Audacy projects ebitda of less than $150mn. At the end of 2019, the company had a market capitalisation of more than $600mn. In this bankruptcy, shareholders will be totally wiped out. The company’s debt balance will be reduced to just $350mn and its overall enterprise value will be set at roughly $700mn, implying an EV to ebitda multiple of just five times.Traditional terrestrial radio groups have tried to reposition themselves for the podcasting revolution. But sharp lay-offs and retrenchment at Spotify, a streaming service that has invested heavily in podcasts, shows that the market remains nascent. The annual advertising pie in podcasting is estimated at around $2bn, about an eighth of traditional radio. Satellite radio economics are roughly in the middle.Audacy projects that its ebitda margin can eventually top 10 per cent. Current senior lenders are poised to own the company’s reorganised equity. But “the world” is no longer up for grabs. Radio must accept a more humble slot in the media landscape.      See original article here ( https://www.ft.com/content/9a9ed304-0d45-45fb-b391-174f2ffeb67e )