Tips for Talk Show Callers

Tips for Talk Show Callers
How to Be a Caller on Up to Date Every weekday, the phones at KCUR Radio's talk show studios ring virtually nonstop for two hours. As they answer the calls to screen them, our staff has only a few seconds to decide whether to accept a call or to let it go. If you follow these guidelines, you'll have a much better chance of getting on the air. You Play a Special Role The vast majority of Up to Date listeners never pick up the phone to call. So the first thing you need to understand is that you, as a caller, have a role to play on the program - to help make the show worthwhile for the listeners. The role, simply put, is as a contributor. And our job, as the program's producers, is to choose the best contributions to put on the air - just as we judge which guests to have on the show every day. Just getting through on one of the four phone lines into the Up to Date studio does not ensure you will get on the air. To do that, you'll need to offer a contribution that other people will want to hear. Please do not call more than once a week. While we appreciate the dedication of some listeners, we'd like to give everyone a chance to call in. Audio Quality If we can't hear you, you won't get on the air, no matter how interesting your comment. Most of the calls we can't hear are from people in their cars. So if you're in your car and you want to call in, pulling over will allow a connection that's more consistent and likely to be of a higher audio quality. Wherever you're calling from, be prepared to turn off your radio as soon as the screener answers the phone. We broadcast on a 6-second delay. While you're on hold, you will be able to hear the program through your telephone. Content Quality Up to Date producers look for callers who are well-prepared to make thoughtful, articulate contributions to the show. To improve your chances of being chosen for the show, follow these tips: 1. Try to listen to the program from the beginning so you'll know whether your comment or question has already been on the air. 2. When the host is ready to take calls, he might frame questions for listeners. Pay close attention to those questions. These are not the only kinds of calls we will entertain that hour, but it will give you a good idea of the direction we think the show should go. 3. Tell us a story. The best callers are people who speak from experience. However, make sure that your story has a point. Don't ask a question that has already been asked by the host or another caller. Our time is so precious, and we receive so many calls, it's doubtful we'll take a duplicate question. 4. Don't call until you hear the host read the phone number. Sometimes we want calls early; in that case, we'll give the phone at the beginning of the show. Other times we want the conversation to develop before we take calls, so we'll wait awhile before asking for callers. 5. Think about what you want to say before you dial the number. Focus your thoughts so you will be brief and articulate with the person who is screening the calls. Caller Quality We like to think of our program as a friendly, civil discussion about the issues of the day and other things our listeners are talking about. Though we invite callers who are passionate, those who use offensive or insulting language will be cut off. Please don't lie to our call screeners or use a fake name to get on the air. We'll remember, and you probably won't get on the air again. Show Time If you pass muster with the screener, you will be put on hold. You should listen to the show through the phone. Don't go on speakerphone or a headset, stay on the handset. Keep your radio turned off! If you make the mistake of listening through your radio, you'll miss your cue and weżll go on to another caller. While you're on hold, listen closely to the conversation and use the time to focus your thoughts and make them part of the program. Again, don't forget: You have a role to play! Finally, when the host introduces you, you will hear your name and the place you're calling from. You may hear a brief burst of static, which is the phone system adjusting the line. Don't say, "Can you hear me?" We'll be able to hear you. Just say hello and start talking. Adapted from guidelines for NPR's Talk of the Nation Call 816-235-2888 during the program, or e-mail:uptodate@umkc.edu to join in the conversation. return to the Up to Date page

How to Be a Caller on Up to Date

Every weekday, the phones at KCUR Radio's talk show studios ring virtually nonstop for two hours. As they answer the calls to screen them, our staff has only a few seconds to decide whether to accept a call or to let it go. If you follow these guidelines, you'll have a much better chance of getting on the air.

You Play a Special Role

The vast majority of Up to Date listeners never pick up the phone to call. So the first thing you need to understand is that you, as a caller, have a role to play on the program - to help make the show worthwhile for the listeners. The role, simply put, is as a contributor. And our job, as the program's producers, is to choose the best contributions to put on the air - just as we judge which guests to have on the show every day.

Just getting through on one of the four phone lines into the Up to Date studio does not ensure you will get on the air. To do that, you'll need to offer a contribution that other people will want to hear. Please do not call more than once a week. While we appreciate the dedication of some listeners, we'd like to give everyone a chance to call in.

Audio Quality

If we can't hear you, you won't get on the air, no matter how interesting your comment. Most of the calls we can't hear are from people in their cars. So if you're in your car and you want to call in, pulling over will allow a connection that's more consistent and likely to be of a higher audio quality.

Wherever you're calling from, be prepared to turn off your radio as soon as the screener answers the phone. We broadcast on a 6-second delay. While you're on hold, you will be able to hear the program through your telephone.

Content Quality

Up to Date producers look for callers who are well-prepared to make thoughtful, articulate contributions to the show. To improve your chances of being chosen for the show, follow these tips:

1. Try to listen to the program from the beginning so you'll know whether your comment or question has already been on the air.

2. When the host is ready to take calls, he might frame questions for listeners. Pay close attention to those questions. These are not the only kinds of calls we will entertain that hour, but it will give you a good idea of the direction we think the show should go.

3. Tell us a story. The best callers are people who speak from experience. However, make sure that your story has a point. Don't ask a question that has already been asked by the host or another caller. Our time is so precious, and we receive so many calls, it's doubtful we'll take a duplicate question.

4. Don't call until you hear the host read the phone number. Sometimes we want calls early; in that case, we'll give the phone at the beginning of the show. Other times we want the conversation to develop before we take calls, so we'll wait awhile before asking for callers.

5. Think about what you want to say before you dial the number. Focus your thoughts so you will be brief and articulate with the person who is screening the calls.

Caller Quality

We like to think of our program as a friendly, civil discussion about the issues of the day and other things our listeners are talking about. Though we invite callers who are passionate, those who use offensive or insulting language will be cut off. Please don't lie to our call screeners or use a fake name to get on the air. We'll remember, and you probably won't get on the air again.

Show Time

If you pass muster with the screener, you will be put on hold. You should listen to the show through the phone. Don't go on speakerphone or a headset, stay on the handset. Keep your radio turned off! If you make the mistake of listening through your radio, you'll miss your cue and weżll go on to another caller.

While you're on hold, listen closely to the conversation and use the time to focus your thoughts and make them part of the program. Again, don't forget: You have a role to play!

Finally, when the host introduces you, you will hear your name and the place you're calling from. You may hear a brief burst of static, which is the phone system adjusting the line. Don't say, "Can you hear me?" We'll be able to hear you. Just say hello and start talking.

Adapted from guidelines for NPR's Talk of the Nation

Call 816-235-2888 during the program, or e-mail:uptodate@umkc.edu to join in the conversation.

return to the Up to Date page