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RADIO INSIDERS CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION
51 Ways to Become A Great Programmer in 2013!
1Playing a music universe that is too wide will not give you a
core audience.2The best programmers have already formulated an
opinion on an issue but arealways prepared to listen to
constructive advice.3
The programmer with the clearest vision for every element of the
station shouldalways win.4
There is no formula, every market is in a different battle but
great programmerswill always recognise a good idea from another
market.5Learn from your mistakes because you will make them but
theres no need, ortime, to make them twice!6Strongly held opinions
based on knowledge and research should be pursued with
vigour. Beware of others emotional rhetoric.7Never underestimate
the power of the KISS principle Keep It Simple Stupid.8
Use listener advisory boards for two things. First, to find out
how listenersdescribe their experience with radio and second, is
the language they use todescribe these experiences.9Be passionate
about what you do. It creates a great working attitude and
itscontagious.
10Build your team. Praise team members for a job well done.
Accept responsibilityfor your mistakes it encourages those around
you to take more responsibility fortheir own mistakes.11
Dont wait! Back yourself and do it! The real pressure is in the
waiting.12Remember the new pyramid of programming. Spend 50% of
your time on yourbreakfast show.13
One-man armies never win.14When positioning, or promoting your
radio station, if you say one positive thing,youll get the credit
for many positive things.15Programme to the heavy P1
listenersmarket to those who know nothing aboutyou and give them a
reason to sample.16Set goals and write them down.
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17If youre not into time management then you will have
chaos.18Develop a Product Team. Ideally, use people who are
responsible for part ofyour product mix.
19Brainstorm to solve problems and to form creative ideas.
Involve many differentpeople in this process.20Grow a Breakfast
show one element at a time. Remember it takes up to 12repetitions
to learn something new.21Have a vision and write it down so that
you can share it with other members ofyour team. IE KISS FM will
play the best rhythm based CHR music for 25 to 39female
tastes.22
Dont be afraid of bad news. Face it and deal with it. If youre
focused, things willalways get better.23Create an environment that
allows for your team to try things that are different.24Playing it
safe limits creativity and opportunity.25Talent needs to be managed
and directed. What great movie actor/actress doyou know who doesnt
have direction and a great script to work with? Be aDirectora Radio
Program Director.
26Conduct Auditorium Music Tests at the beginning of each year.
This will ensure
the music is focused and any burnt tracks are removed from the
playlist to allowyou to start the year fresh.27The people you
surround yourself with are the key to success. Never be afraidto
rid yourself of mediocre performers.28Becoming a great programmer
takes time. Network with mentors andprogrammers you admire for
advice and support from time to time.
29Focus, focus, focusnothing works like a focused
campaign.30
We cannot always be right. Our greatest strengths can be
observing, listeningand listening to the product!31Encouragement is
critical. Remember that every radio talents wants regularfeedback
on their performance. If you say one positive thing a day to each
talentand mean it, you will create some awesome results.32
The game is never over. A great competitor can always come back
at you.33Music research plus gut is a great way to operate.34
Learn Selector from back to front. Youll be a better programmer
for it.35
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If youve found the great Breakfast show, work with it at all
costs. Dont let it go. Agreat music station minus a great breakfast
show equals an average performingradio station.36Dont be precious
about other peoples ideas. The great ones can come from
anywhere at anytime. The ability to recognise them is
art.37Worry wont get the job done. You are more productive when
your stress is less.Remain calm in the face of adversity.38If you
come up with a great idea for a tactic, flog it till it has
exhausted itspotential. But make sure you know when the end of its
potential is.39Say what you think.but think about what you are
going to say.40Replace old and tired contests/features. Everything
should have a Social
Networking angle.41Take regular holidays. Dont work long hours,
work smart hours.42Dont be too critical with your Breakfast team.
They know when theyve stuffedup. Be supportive and move on to
developing the next days show.43
Always take at least 30 minutes to check the next days music.
Its good to knowwhats coming up.44
Always communicate openly with your Sales team and keep them
informed aboutwhats happening on air and around the station. One
day soon youll need
something from them at short notice.45Talk to your street
promotion teams and find out about what the street is
talkingabout.46Fix small problems early to prevent them from
becoming big problems.47
Above all be honest with your people.even when it hurts.
48In radio you never own anything.lifegroups or audience. Its
always a continualbattle for dominance.
49Look beyond your own format and medium for the next great
idea.50Collective wisdom is very useful when you mark it down and
study its value.Being a programmer in todays radio is always a
challenge of managing thePeople, the Programming, the Promotions
and the Production.51
Dont bitch about what you dont have, create solutions with the
resources you dohave.
