Rules For Calling Into Talk Radio

Being without en internet connect for the past couple of day meant that I was unable to write anything for the blog, but I didn’t keep me from reading a blog posts from all over the Fansided network thanks to the app on my Droid. I came across one in particular over at SideLionReport that I felt really needed to be passed along. If you want to read the original version, click here.

"Don’t ask the hosts how they are doing. They are at work, and their workday will be doing better if you just get to your point. Anything other than your name and your comment is wasting airtime.Turn your radio down.  You will be able to hear the hosts through your phone.  So turn your radio down.You don’t need to mention that you met the hosts at the ice cream social at Cheli’s Chili 3 years ago. Unless you look like Kate Upton, they probably won’t remember you anyway. Don’t tell the audience that your opinion is more intelligent because you have season tickets. It just means that you have more disposable income, and perhaps are more of a fan, but not that you are smarter.“First Time Long Time” was cool 8 years ago. It isn’t cool anymore.Don’t volunteer how old you are. No one cares.Be realistic. The Lions were not going to go 16-0. They are also were not going 0-16, which some people also predicted.Whenever possible bring facts. And real facts, not facts that you made up on the spot. Nothing is more annoying than when someone calls in with a statement that is blatantly untrue (“Matthew Stafford had a 23% completion percentage in college”). Google is a good website – feel free to use it.If you are going to call in on a player, be sure you know how to pronounce his name.Listen to the hosts. Your phone call is not a five minute soap box for you to preach from. State your comment; then listen to theirs. They might question some of your facts (see point 7) or ask you a rhetorical question to help elucidate your point. The host / hosts might even disagree with you. It doesn’t mean that they are stupid, arrogant, “homers’, racist or slappies. It just means they disagree with you.Remember, in the end, that they have the mute button, and you don’t. So don’t piss them off, try to sneak in a swear word, or talk over them. You will lose."

I also want to add #12: Your call is not an audition. No one is going to offer you a show because of your call. Get to your point and then get off the phone. The “I’ll hang up and listen to your comments.” is the most appreciated sentence the hosts ever hear.