40 Secrets of Successful Shows

The Top 10 Talent Coach Steve Reynolds has spent the past month rolling out his own Top 40 list!

Thanks to Steve, we’re pleased to share them with you this week on All Access.

To download a PDF version of the list, click here.

40 Secrets of Successful Shows

1. The show has an overarching content strategy, or “plot,” unique to them and different from everything else in the market.

2. The cast is well-defined where each member is different from the others. And the core cast is seen as likable.

3. The show has significant and meaningful points-of-differentiation from other entertainment choices available.

4. The show is fun to listen to and there’s lots of laughter.

5. The cast is human and vulnerable in sharing stories about their lives so the audience says, “They’re just like me.”

6. The program is driven by the topics of the day, knowing the highest equity topics equals the broadest appeal.

7. They’re always honest with the audience.

8. The show (its cast and the content they do) matter to the audience.

9. Collectively and individually, they prep relentlessly, always looking for the right topics and doing unique things with them that’ll fit the brand and will intrigue listeners.

10.They’re friendly with the other departments in the building and work tirelessly to help those people reach their goals so they’re treated the same.

11. They rely less and less on canned prep services because they can create their own unique and original content.

12.They understand that “facts tell and stories sell.” They are spectacular storytellers.

13.They are highly inquisitive about the world around them and that drives content development.

14.They’re confident enough in what they don’t know and love to be challenged by people smarter than them.

15.They take smart, strategic chances and are not afraid to “fail up.”

16.They have mechanisms in place to resolve internal conflict in the team when it appears.

17.They care about each other as people and can move the audience to care about them.

18.They have a positive relationship with the managers and don’t see them as adversaries.

19.In prep, they develop more than they need so they can truly do the Alevel ideas and be graded as such by listeners.

20.They’re innovative and their ideas turn P2s into P1s.

21.They have at least significant daily benchmark features on the show, which define their sense of humor and causes habitual listening.

22.The egos in the room are healthy enough to drive stardom but not so great to cause division.

23.They let others associated with the show know how valuable they are to the success of the team.

24.They know what’s going on locally and see the value of that as content.

25.They belong to local civic groups and organizations so they become multi-dimensional through those outside interest.

26.On-air, they don’t forget the value of the basics, like giving the weather and time and promoting the rest of the radio station, its personalities and promotions.

27.They have a strong interest in “retail politics,” knowing that meeting listeners will get them to use the show more.

28.They don’t say no to something because there isn’t a talent fee attached.

29.Each cast member holds a distinct point-of-view on every topic.

30.They can create conflict and drama with their content to hook listeners.

31.The cast never loses touch with its constituency, meeting the audience wherever they are in life for content.

32.The show is constantly innovating, coming up with ideas for the brand which communicates the show plot, reflects pop culture, or reinforces their character.

33.They have a social media strategy to engage the audience on those platforms that is married to what their show is about.

34.They are highly motivated to win and never lose their work ethic.

35.The show is predictable so the audience is comfortable with them, but not so predictable that they become vulnerable to something fresh across the street.

36.Each cast member replies to listener emails, voicemails, texts and social media posts so fans know they’re being heard.

37.Each understands the personal and professional goals of the others in the room and work hard to help them achieve those goals.

38.They love and welcome discomfort knowing there’s growth in that path.

39.They evolve as people over time and can bring the audience along for the ride, sometimes doing narrative story arcs that force additional occasions to the show.

40.They care about and give back to their communities and communicate that pride to the audience