Learn About Doing a Radio Remote Broadcast

Learn About Doing a Radio Remote BroadcastLearn About Doing a Radio Remote BroadcastRadio remote broadcasts used to be as common as hearing the Top 40 hits blaring from your speakers. Today, as audiences fragment and stations become more automated, people dont have the same chance to connect with announcers and stations. Strengthen your on-air skills by becoming a master of live radio broadcasts from outside your stations studio. 01Plan Your Radio Remote ShowThe best radio shows may seem spontaneous, but they require planning. Thats especially true when you are broadcasting live from somewhere in the community.If youll be pulling up in a truck with your stations logo on the side and flipping a switch to go live, part of your work is finished. Otherwise, check your signal strength and have plenty of banners to showcase your appearance.Remember that this is a chance for your loyal listeners to put a face with the voice they already know. Make aya your personal appearance reflects well on you and your station. Flip-flops and a faded t-shirt are probably what you wear around the station, but this is your chance to pull out the snakeskin boots and a cowboy hat if that suits your image and your radio format.02Repeat the Time and Place on the AirThis is one of the basic rules of any sales promotion, and its also true of your radio remote. You need to mention the day, time and location of your broadcast a lot.Youll want to promote your remote in the days leading up to it, including on your radio station website. That builds excitement and helps your audience remember to either listen or better yet, to stop by. On the day of your remote, youll constantly have to remind people where you are.You will quickly tire of saying, Ill be at Lloyds House of Wheels at 231 Main Street downtown from 2 until 5 Friday afternoon. Make sure to stop by and say Hi every break of your shift for a week. But each time you say it, youre reaching new people and reinforcing the message that may otherwise be quickly forgotten.03Determine the Purpose of Your RemoteMost radio remotes fall into three categories an darbietung for a sales client, publicity for a community event or a station promotion campaign. Each has its own requirements.A sales client wants to build floor traffic or move merchandise. Building traffic is as easy as giving listeners a reason to visit, like getting to eat a free hot dog or register for a prize drawing. Moving merchandise calls for a consistent sales pitch repeated frequently.Community outreach events are your chance to get people to join the crowds. Even if drizzle is falling at a charity walk, describe why this is the place to be.Station promotion usually includes a giveaway or media contest. Build your station identity so that audience members know which station gave away $1,000.04Give Listeners a Way to Have FunMany of your listeners are in their cars on their way somewhere. Why should they take time to stop at your radio remote? Giveaways are good, but having fun is better.You can put yourself in a dunk tank, give people the chance to sing your station jingle live on the air or have them try to eat the worlds spiciest buffalo wings. Think of a hook that gets people involved in something special.If you think of a fun event thats unusual enough, you could even get coverage from a local newspaper or TV station. Thats bonus publicity that benefits you, your station and the reason for your remote.05Meet Your Audience Face to FaceThis is not the time for you to hide behind a microphone. Many broadcasters are fearless on the air, but fearful of interacting with people face to face. Overcoming that fear will boost your presence in the community.Look people in the eye, shake their hands, ask their name and thank them for listening. Youll quickly forget these personal encounters. But those you meet may remember this day forever and the interest you took in their lives.Make a big deal over the children you see. Kissing babies m ay be a politicians calling card, but you are also trying to win votes every time someone fills out a ratings diary.06Promote YourselfWhile you mention the client or community event endlessly and remind people that theyre listening to the all-new Q-102, take time to promote your own identity. If people walk away saying that someone from the radio station was at the county fair, youve wasted an opportunity to be a memorable radio personality.Make sure your name appears somewhere that people can read it, preferably with your face next to it. Even better, have photos of yourself that you can autograph and hand out.Heres another idea. Have someone take photos of you standing with listeners that can be printed instantly, then signed. Your fans will be more likely to hang onto a photo that has them standing next to their favorite announcer.07Stick Around After the RemoteMake a lasting impression from your radio remote after you go off the air. Typically, a popular announcer would be squea ling his tires to get away.Thank everyone who helped. That may mean shaking the hands of everyone at a car dealership or hugging the sweaty organizers of a fun run, but its time well spent.If listeners are still dropping by to meet you, dont disappoint them. Let them know that you want to spend time with everyone.These small gestures will hopefully make their way back to your station manager, who will appreciate that extra half-hour you took to boost the station. Thats an easy way to increase your job security and maybe even get a pay raise in this uncertain time for radio and all media.