Today’s “e-personality” challenge is not to treat voice-tracking as work on an “assembly line.” Consider these tips on creating an entertaining show – whether voice-tracked or live – to make a great listener connection.  Also, this is an excellent list of programming basics.

Here are fourteen of the songs we’re watching this week. For more insight on how we choose these songs or to get a sneak peek at some of the data we track on 500+ new songs across radio formats, email me at Andy@RadioStationConsultant.com.

There is something magnetic about big stars. It’s not always what they do—it’s who they are. They radiate a warmth that makes people feel connected. Fans don’t just watch or listen. They like them and feel they know them in at least a small way. For performers, likability is a fundamental requirement. For stars, it's a superpower.

Out of this week's data here are a few of the songs that topped those lists nationally in the US and Canada along with a few random specific markets. Sarnia Clearwater, ON, Canada, Hot AC/Top 40: Alex Warren "Ordinary" (Overall #1).

Stop doing things on your show that you do only because you've always done them. Is there still a reason to do a particular feature?  If not...Why are you still doing it?  Inertia is a leading killer of radio programs.

We're often asked, "What new radio trends have staying power and will be successful?"  Answer:  Formats that have been researched for a particular market and demographic, from Rock to Country to Modern Adult Contemporary. Their cutting edge lies in marketing.  After programming and formatics are perfected, promoting aggressively, creatively, and cost-efficiently involves using the station itself as a selling medium. 

Here are fourteen of the songs we’re watching this week. For more insight on how we choose these songs or to get a sneak peek at some of the data we track on 500+ new songs across radio formats, email me at Andy@RadioStationConsultant.com.

Listeners aren’t choosing a station because of a clever music position or your promise of fewer commercials. They’re choosing how they want to feel. That's why a winning programming strategy targets mood, not facts. You're selling format features, but listeners are buying emotion.

Out of this week's data here are a few of the songs that topped those lists nationally in the US and Canada along with a few random specific markets. The United States Hot AC/Top 40 #1 Sabrina Carpenter "Manchild" (Overall #1).

Quantitative research is good for measuring awareness, recall, and some images of morning shows; however, focus groups are better for digging into and discovering what people think about the show.  We’ve conducted many focus groups and provide the following major conclusions from watching people talk about mornings.