Coaches Corner by Sam Weaver
Your Mouth Is Moving, But Are You Saying Anything? …
Every time you open the mic, you’re making split-second choices—what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Veering off topic during a talk break and rambling in circles isn’t a winning formula. The best ad-libs? They’re structured, planned, and delivered like they weren’t. That’s how you sound spontaneous without rambling.
Structure Matters…
Everything starts with structure. That applies to a great movie, telling a funny story, or a serious conversation on the air. If you don’t have a plan, you’re driving blind. You might eventually get where you’re going, but the trip is going to be longer and more painful than it needs to be. Same with a talk break. All the technique, charm, and personality in the world won’t save you if there’s no structure to what you’re doing.
It’s Just Not True…
Some air personalities still think that planning kills creativity. That’s just flat-out wrong. Whether written out or not, everything you say on the air is a bit. Even reading a liner is a bit. If you’re talking off the top of your head, you’re still mentally writing it out in real time. The best ad-libs are the ones that sound off-the-cuff but were actually planned. The key is making it feel natural.
Always Be Thinking Ahead…
You’re always thinking ahead, or at least, you should be. Let’s say you’re doing a phone bit or an interview. You don’t know exactly what the person will say, but you’re already planning your next move. That’s structure in action. It’s like driving, you don’t wait until you’re in the middle of the intersection to decide which way to go. You decide beforehand. Same goes for talk breaks. You should already know the punchline or setup before you get there.
Here’s How A Tight Radio Moment Should Flow:
The Premise – Establish What You’re Talking About
“We’re here with Noel NoWay, the genius behind the Monkey Motorcycle Racing Circuit.”
The Middle – Where It All Clicks
NoWay: “We’ve combined people’s love for animals with sports. We award the top monkey winner of each race with a three-month supply of bananas, and their human owner gets $10,000. Our biggest problem? People dress up in monkey suits, trying to win the big money.”
The Right Ending, It’s What They Remember…
NoWay: “Our races are a big deal. Even Charles Barkley comes out to bet on them. Our mission statement, ‘Monkeys see, Monkeys do.’”
Where It All Goes Right… Or Wrong…
You can nail the setup, deliver a killer middle, but if you drop the ending, the whole thing falls apart. If you don’t stick the landing, everything before it feels like wasted airtime. A solid premise, a clear point, and a sharp closing line make all the difference. If you don’t know how or when to wrap it up, the audience will do it for you by tuning out.
Bringing It Home…
Tighten up what you say, and everything else will fall into place. Even the best off-the-cuff moments have some level of planning behind them. Great radio isn’t just talking, it’s talking with purpose. If you’re just talking to talk, you’re making noise.
And if you need some friendly advice, drop me an email; samweaver@samweavermedia.com or text me, (972) 672-4812.