This post originated on 360 Country

Since the inception of PPM the major trend in PPM markets has been to cut clutter, reduce interruptions and by all means, keep the occasions of listening and the time spent with the station as high as possible.  SO, when we as the station interrupt the music it better be for a good reason and it better be brief.  The thing about this, which good PD’s will state, is that this is actually the way it should have been all along.  Savvy PD’s had been maximizing their opportunities efficiently for years before PPM came along.  “Selling the Sizzle, not the Steak” was a phrase I heard my entire professional career which started in 2000.  But it is more important than ever to do this because…NOW ITS SCIENCE.

No matter how creative and brilliant you think your copy and/or production is, listeners are simply not going to sit through anything that takes them away from their music too long.  I don’t care what the promotion is (tix to an Oakridge Boys tribute band or a NEW CAR!) you have to get the point out fast and effectively. Here are a few of the key mistakes I see and some solutions…

1.  Repetition – If it’s a trip to Vegas, you don’t need to say so 4 times.

Solution:  If a trip to Vegas is what they want they will perk up the first time they hear Vegas.  Say it Once.

2.  Rules – Don’t give them the 3 different station phone numbers or tell them they have to be caller 37 OR that they may be placed on the air ORRRRR they may have to give up a limb!

Solution: Just get them to the party.  “Listen at 9:08 to win!”  Rules will be sorted out when the contest is executed.

3. Sponsors – We LOVE sponsors, yes.  BUT you do not need to give them a 30 word tag IN the promo.  You should be selling name mentions but I realize in smaller markets they ain’t buying a name mention only.

Solution: Limiting them to a 5-word tag is very reasonable.

4.  Mechanics:  If the prize is a trip to Vegas but actually they will be calling at 9:08 to qualify by winning a pair of tix to the fair then in the running for the grand prize you don’t need to say all this in the promo.

Solution:  “Win at 9:08!”  Explain the process in execution and/or after you get them on the phone.  Most people will not turn down something free if its a different free thing than they originally wanted.  

5.  Extras:  I notice if its a trip to Vegas often the promo will also explain that you get airfare, hotel, 4 days, 3 nights and transportation plus tix to some lame magic show and a free 4 dollar buffet downtown at the 4 Queens.

Solution:  Its a TRIP TO VEGAS!  They will assume most of the other stuff and again, none of this helps sell the prize or someone’s willingness to tune in and win.  If they have any interest in Vegas, they will participate. 

In Dallas at KSCS we paid firm attention to all of these issues and more.  Yes there are more ways you can start to consolidate your copy writing.  And at times you wont just cut promos down to 10 seconds but instead of 30 seconds of crap, you can have 30 seconds of extra sizzle!  Why would going to Vegas be a great idea?  “Wouldn’t you just love a few days away from the real world?  SURE, You love your JOB, but sometimes you just need to get away.  Seeing Kenny in Springfield is good.  Seeing Kenny in Vegas is GREAT!””

Point is, think about what it really is you’re selling and sell that ONE thing, well.  I still hear “Well its a huge event for us so a 60 second or 2 MINUTE promo is warranted.  No its not.

I have an exercise I will do right now as I am writing this.  I just voiced a promo that was very long.  GREAT station but it was a big contest for them and think they went overboard with the copy.  SO, I am going to paste the original then quickly cut it down.  GRADE ME!  Perhaps (Read: Probably) you can do better!

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Original: 60 seconds

__Station Info___wants to send you and a guest to country music’s  BIGGEST night: The 46th Annual CMA Awards LIVE in Nashville Thursday night November 1st. Along with hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, you’ll be there in the house for performances by some of __Station Info___’s BIGGEST stars including Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and many more. Listen to __Station Info___ for the CMA QUE2Call. When you hear it, be the 9th caller at 800-967-9983 to QUALIFY and pick up music from one of the hottest CMA performers. Once qualified, you enter a chance at the GRAND PRIZE: A Trip to Country Music’s BIGGEST NIGHT, the 46th Annual CMA Awards. YOU could be there courtesy of Average Joes Entertainment and __Station Info___.

My Version: About 25 seconds.

Watching the CMA’s on TV:  Good.  Experiencing them LIVE in Nashville…(Hooks/Live Cuts like Rockstar with crowd noise)...GREAT!  Listen all week to win YOUR free trip to Nashville!  (Artist drops: Hey Im Jason Aldean, Hey Im Carrie Underwood, its Taylor Swift, Hey, Its Kenny!)  Watch the the 46th annual CMA’s on CBS November 1st… or Listen, WIN and BE THERE from Average Joes Entertainment and  __Station Info___