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HOW TO DEAL WITH THE CORONAVIRUS ON THE AIR
April 10, 2020
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We’re in uncharted waters right now, because the Coronavirus is the #1 subject locally, nationally, and globally…
So let’s look at it both Strategically, and tactically from a coaching perspective.
Strategy
This is CORE to what we should want to do right now:
Acts of kindness
Stories of hope
Examples of self-sacrifice…These are the things that our stations can do and be believed, not just seen as “posing”.
Because of our faith. It’s not only genuine, but – and this is the message we want to send – we’ve ALWAYS been like this. Even when there hasn’t been a virus scare.
Coaching Tip
The Coronavirus isn’t the subject of every single break (you still want to be entertaining, too), but the virus IS the “backdrop” of everything.
If a large portion of the Content is people sharing about what the virus means in their lives, then remember that it’s not just their sweet stories, but also their concerns, and what that means in terms of being a Christian…or even just a neighbor.
Something along the lines of “Yes, we’re going to play lots of songs and keep you up on the weather and traffic, etc. but let’s talk, if you want…”
Keep these things in mind:
Whenever there’s a “theme” (like taking calls about a certain thing), two ingredients are essential…- A different emotion each time. If calls are all the same emotion, but just different details, that’s gonna get old quickly.
- Keep ‘em short. A call isn’t a conversation, it’s a sound bite. The SUM of the sound bites is the conversation.
It’ll be a challenge for some air talents to steer away from “It’s gonna be all right” platitudes, and gushy “butterflies and rainbows and Jesus” remarks. But do your best to not just speak to the most religious part of the audience. If all we can do is sound like a Hallmark card, we shouldn’t be doing radio. Remember that something as simple as your tone of voice can calm people and connect with them.
You are the “glass half full” station.
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