8 Rules That Make You Unforgettable Behind the Mic

What is it that you need to dominate as a radi personality? You need to master the art of intentional communication. That starts with showing up prepared, original, and ready to deliver value that can’t be Googled. This is your clarion call. This is The 3am Rule for your communication style—wake up before the world does and discipline yourself to rise above the lazy and the average. These 8 rules are not suggestions. They are standards. Apply them, and you'll distance yourself from the pack. Ignore them, and you'll stay exactly where you are. Rule #1: Master Your Time or Be Mastered by It Most people are winging it. You? You’re going to rise early and prepare your show, before distractions show up, and write it out. Every conversation, pitch, interview, or presentation should be treated like it matters—because it does. Action Step: Outline, write, revise, and prepare. Make your mind your most prepared tool. Rule #2: Stop Sounding Like Everyone Else We don’t need another parrot in the room. If you're saying what everyone else is saying, you're adding noise, not value. Unique thoughts are currency in media. Have the courage to show up with your own voice, even when the crowd is louder than you. Action Step: Identify one major topic and write out your take on it without consulting social media or the prep service. Be honest, bold, and original. Rule #3: Don’t Talk—Contribute Every word you speak in a one-on-one exchange must add value. Don’t be the person who just reacts or regurgitates headlines. Drill down into your thoughts. Ask yourself: What am I contributing to this dialogue that only I can bring? Action Step: For every major conversation or show, come up with 3 unique angles or insights that are deeply personal or expertly informed. Practice delivering them with confidence and clarity. Rule #4: Make Preparation Your Religion Lazy communicators are everywhere. They freestyle interviews. They coast on charm. They repeat yesterday’s filler. Not you. You’ll write it out. You’ll outline your angle. You’ll dig into your guest's story. Your preparation becomes your superpower. Action Step: Take one topic for an upcoming show and prepare for it as if you were producing World News Tonight. Write it, shape it, rehearse it. Respect your message enough to polish it. Rule #5: Use the Power of Personal Stories People remember stories. If you want to stick in someone’s mind, relate the topic to something you've lived. Connect your experiences to the listener’s world. Action Step: Make a list of 5 personal stories that shaped your perspective. Then find creative ways to use them to illustrate the messages you're delivering. Rule #6: Kill the Clichés If I hear another “Well, we’ll see how this plays out,” I’m turning the radio off. Clichés are the language of the uninspired. Listeners and clients want clarity, conviction, and leadership—not a shrug and a sigh. Action Step: Identify 3 cliché phrases or fallback lines you use. Eliminate them. Replace them with sharp, specific, and personal statements that show you're paying attention. Rule #7: Edit Ruthlessly It’s not just about what you say—it's about what you don't say. Don’t let weak thoughts slip through. Edit like your brand depends on it—because it does. Action Step: After preparing your next communication, cut 20% of the fluff. Look for repeated points, filler words, and weak transitions. Keep only what’s sharp, purposeful, and emotionally impactful

. Rule #8: Create What Only You Can Create Your voice. Your tone. Your story. Your delivery. These are your signature moves. Don’t build your style around what’s trending—build it around what’s true. That's how you create something people can’t find anywhere else. Action Step: Record a 2-minute voice memo summarizing your view on a timely issue, using your natural tone, pacing, and passion. Then play it back and ask yourself: Would I stop and listen to this? Refine until the answer is “hell yes.” Final Word: Be Different—Or Be Forgotten This isn't just about being “better”—this is about being unforgettable. In a world of microwave opinions and prepackaged content, people crave something real. Be the one who gives it to them. Wake up early. Write it out. Sharpen your thoughts. Deliver excellence in every single one-on-one moment. Because someone is always watching—and greatness is always listening. Let the lazy DJs sleep in. You're building your unfair advantage. Let’s work.