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CHIT CHAT
Some podcasts start the episode with some chit chat. This is the small talk at the beginning of the show that really has very little to do with the show topic.
“Hey, how are you?” “What have you been up to lately?”
The small talk at the beginning of the show is sometimes between co-hosts and sometimes between host and guest. But, should it be there? Should chit chat be part of your episode?
Mentioned in this episode:
Podcast Review Show: http://podcastreviewshow.com
Podcaster’s Kit: http://podcasttalentcoach.com/kit
If you believe the Facebook discussions and episode comments, you would think chit chat is causing all of your listeners to leave your show in a stampede.
Some small talk could actually help you if you package it correctly.
First, let’s agree. Chit chat for the sake of hearing yourself talk does no one any good. That is definitely not the small talk I am recommending.
Your chit chat at the beginning of the show must support the content of the episode. It should add context to the discussion.
WHAT IS YOUR TURNOFF
There was a post in a podcasting Facebook group the other day. The question was, “What makes you turn off a podcast or click unsubscribe?”
As soon as someone said “Too much rambling before the subject i’m actually listening for gets going”, everyone jumped on the bandwagon.
Other comments include …
“I don’t like super long intros, bad sound quality and when hosts get too ‘in jokey’.”
“I hate when there is too much faffing about getting to the point of the episode. All that ‘so how was your week?’ stuff going on 12 different tangents for 15mins before we get to the meat.”
“BORING PREEEE AMBLE! – I don’t mind if your opening chit chat is fun or relevant or interesting, but if it’s you just you and your guest warming up – commmmmme onnnn! EDIT!”
“Boring interview babble at the beginning.”
“Episodes that don’t get quickly to a takeaway. I find many podcasts that meander around too much, especially co-host and Interview formats.
YOU CAN’T CATCH UP
The thing to remember is that you cannot catch up to a slow start. You need to give value right from the start.
When your show opens, tell listeners exactly what they will get from this episode. If they stay to the end, how will they benefit? Tease it by creating some anticipation for your listener.
Now, if you want to include some chit chat here, it should add some context to the content. This could be a story about something that happened to you this week and how it relates to the topic of the show.
Let’s say you are doing an episode about shaping your effective chit chat. You could start with a story about being on Facebook and the way everyone jumped on the bandwagon. If you had a co-host, you could talk about your feelings and opinions of small talk.
This story adds context to the show. This is the reason we have decided to discuss this topic on this episode.
There is one important thing the story does. Your chit chat allows your audience to get to know you.
People do business with those they know, like and trust. This part of your show allows your audience to get to know you and what you believe and value. You simply need to frame it correctly.
FOUR STEPS
Here are the four steps to add valuable chit chat to the beginning of your show.
First, open the show with “what’s in it for me”. Tell your listeners exactly why this episode is valuable and how they will be better when it is over. Make them want to listen to the entire episode. Create some anticipation.
Next, add a story and some chit chat that relates to the content on this episode.
Then, start the story and chit chat by making the connection between the story and the episode subject.
If your episode is about chit chat, start the story with something like, “Some small talk could actually help you if you package it correctly.” Make it a powerful headline.
Finally, don’t overstay your welcome. Once you make your point with the story, get into the meat of the content.
You can’t catch up to a slow start. If you are going to include some chit chat and small talk, make it valuable so it supports the content of the show.
You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.