This week, I helped launch a morning show on the radio. As we built it from the ground up, we created every piece from scratch. This required us to determine the role each host would have on the show. It got me thinking about you and your role. Have you defined it yet?
YOUR PURPOSE
If there are multiple hosts on your podcast, there must be a reason for each being on the show. If you both have the same opinion, one of you isn’t necessary. Bringing multiple perspectives to the show is the element that creates interesting discussions.
One morning, I was listening to a morning show having a discussion. This was your typical morning show with three people. They had received an e-mail asking for input on a relationship.
The woman who sent the e-mail was asking for the opinion of the hosts regarding her boyfriend. He had done her wrong in some way. She wanted to know what she should do.
All three hosts said, “Dump him.”
The main host very astutely asked, “Then, why are we talking about this?”
Exactly. If you all have the same opinion, you have no discussion. There is no debate or tension.
CONTRAST
As co-hosts, you need to compliment each other. You also need to contrast each other, play off each other and challenge each other.
For example, let’s look at the former ESPN sports show “Mike & Mike”. The show was hosted by Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. They talked sports.
Greenberg was educated in in the studio. He worked as a sports reporter and anchor. Golic made his career on the field in the National Football League. He played for Houston, Philadelphia and Miami.
Both hosts were well educated on sports. They simply came to sports from different angles.
Howard Stern & Robin Quivers on the Howard Stern show compliment each other as well. Howard is the type of guy that says whatever comes to mind. Robin is his counterpoint and devil’s advocate. Robin serves as Howard’s center of gravity.
The comedy duo of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin played off each other perfectly. Jerry was the fall-down, slapstick jokester. Dean was the ladies’ man who was always a bit tipsy.
“The View”, the daytime, roundtable talk show, features a handful of women all with different backgrounds and perspectives. Whoopie Goldberg has the bombastic, opinionated point of view. When Barbara Walters was on the show, she was a bit of a mother figure. They all serve their purpose.
YOUR ROLE
What is your role on your show?
The hosts of a movie review podcast came to me for coaching. The show was hosted by a husband and wife team. The intro of their show said they had different tastes. He liked action movies while she appreciated the romantic comedy.
As I listened to the show, I noticed they had mostly the same opinions on the movies they reviewed. There was very little tension and debate on the show.
As you define your role, determine the unique traits you bring to the show.
What are your primary characteristics? Are you smart, blunt, the class clown, witty, adventuresome, the big brother, a fun mom or something else? Write down every trait you possess. List all the things that make you who you are.
Next, list your secondary characteristics. These are the traits that you possess, but may not be present on every show.
Keep these characteristics in mind as you create your podcast. Stay in your lane. If you are caring, you can’t be hurtful and blunt. If you do something uncharacteristic, it will demolish the trust you have built with your audience. Deliver what the audience expects.
You also need to define your role if you do the show by yourself. If you are doing a solo show, find someone as a contributor to compliment your characteristics. You will find you have a show with much more depth.
If you each have the same perspective, one of you isn’t necessary. Define your role.
Do you need help with your podcast? E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let’s see what we can do.
You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.
