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Great Answers To Good Questions

Dave Greene
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Great Answers To Good Questions

I’ve had some good questions thrown my way recently, so I thought I would share the answers with you:

What are good tips to minimize distractions when in the office?

A couple of things come to mind.  First off, I’m a big believer in scheduling as much as possible.  Phone time, paperwork and copy time, servicing time, etc.  If I schedule it, I’m more likely to stay on task and get it done.  

Personally, I couldn’t sit at a cubicle and make calls.  I’d need a quiet room, if at all possible, so that I could stand, walk around, toss a ball against the wall, anything to make me more relaxed.  This would also limit distractions since I would be away from my area and nobody can suck me in to a time-wasting conversation.

Lastly, many years ago a sales manager suggested everyone pick things they wanted, like cars and boats and big houses, and print pictures to put up in the cubes.  The idea was that when there were distractions or when there was time when you just didn’t feel like doing what you’re supposed to be doing, you would see these items and stay on track.  

What advice would you give an older seller who is having trouble grasping digital?

Fair question, as let’s face it, some people in our industry have been doing this for some time, are great at selling radio, but just don’t get the new technology.  Unfortunately, this leaves too much money on the table, so these sellers have to know the basics, so we at least get a swing at it (and we know the TV and newspaper sellers are chomping at the bit to go get it).  

I believe the best thing any seller can do when it comes to digital, at first, is to take it one product at a time and draw a comparison to something that makes more sense.  For example, if it’s targeted display advertising, you can compare it to billboards, except the billboard is only seen by people you want it to be seen by.  You can also look at re-targeting and compare it to someone walking in a store for a short period of time but something in life distracted them away from the store abruptly.  However, before they left, something was attached to their shoulder that popped out every now and then and reminded the person they were recently interested in whatever product they looked at in the store.

What lesson do you think media sellers seem to always learn the hard way?

Easy answer – hold on to clients like they’re gold, because they are. 

I don’t think selling today is any harder than it was twenty years ago, but I do think that retaining clients is significantly harder than it used to be.  There’s a lot more competition today than ever before, which means a lot more people in your client’s ears “picking at the wound.” 

Consider this from a recent Inside Radio article about a webinar hosted by Borrell Associates, “Borrell Webinar: 90% of Advertisers Now Bundle Traditional With Digital”: 

“Meanwhile in the past three years, advertisers have increased buying different types of media, from 5.5 types of media to 8—although with that, they have decreased the number of companies they buy, from 5 to 3.5.”

You may think your relationship with your client is rock solid, however, your clients are basically cutting out two of the companies they currently buy media from.  What are you doing to make sure one of them is not you? 

If the answer is “I don’t know” or “Good question” you really need to think about a plan that allows for you to strengthen the relationship with the decision maker and bind your stations and their business together as much as possible.

BSM Podcast – Season 4 – Episode 6 – Dan Mason & Bill Adee – VSiN

Jason Barrett
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BSM Podcast – Season 4 – Episode 6 – Dan Mason & Bill Adee – VSiN

VSiN’s recent announcement to enter the terrestrial radio space and launch the nation’s first dedicated network to sports betting has had industry folks buzzing. Chairman Dan Mason and COO Bill Adee took thirty minutes to discuss their vision for the network, the growth of the brand, expectations for the sports betting category, and how they plan to assist local stations.

For sports stations interested in learning more about what the company has to offer they’ve put together a deck which you can access by clicking this link. You can also email Bill with any further questions at Bill@VSiN.com.

SUBJECTS COVERED WITH DAN & BILL:

  • The motivation behind entering the terrestrial space
  • How the network/local structure will work
  • Providing audio, video and print content
  • Expectations for sports betting legalization
  • Advertising trends around sports betting
  • Increasing the awareness of the VSiN brand
  • If the company would ever consider taking bets
  • SiriusXM’s reaction to VSiN’s radio expansion
  • Which shows will be available to local affiliates
  • If additional talent and shows are needed
  • What they look for in potential personalities
  • The relationship with Gow Media and what it entails
  • Offering local brands more than just show clearance
  • Future goals for VSiN and how stations can get in touch

FROM THE GUESTS:

Dan’s Twitter handle: @DanMasonSports 

Bill’s Twitter handle: @Bill80

The 2020 BSM Summit is Coming to New York City

Jason Barrett
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The 2020 BSM Summit is Coming to New York City

It feels like just yesterday that I was standing on a stage at the Grammy Museum hosting the 2019 BSM Summit in Los Angeles. It was a blast to see so many radio companies present for the event, and everyone interacting, sharing ideas, and discussing solutions to improve the radio business. From programmers to market managers to advertising agencies, on-air talent, producers, imagers, and voice guys, the mix was excellent. It’s one of my most proud accomplishments since starting BSM four years.

Prior to that event, I had no idea if we’d fill half the room or have every seat accounted for. Many of my industry friends kept telling me it was a lock that the conference would be a success. I wish I could say I shared their optimism but when you invest a ton of your own money to create an educational event for people and have a lot at stake, it’s impossible to feel comfortable. Fortunately everything worked out great, and after 4 months of reflection and a much needed mental break, I’m ready to dive back in.

That brings us to today’s announcement, and I am thrilled to share that the 2020 BSM Summit will take place on February 26th and 27th in New York City at the Ailey Citigroup Theater on W. 55th Street at 9th Avenue. This is the first time we will host the event on the East Coast.

You would think that a guy from Brooklyn, NY who now lives and operates his business 1-hour away from NYC would’ve made the big apple his first stop when starting this event. After all, the commute is much easier. But truth be told, I wanted to test myself in places that I had less connections in first. I also wasn’t sure if my industry friends would travel to the big apple over other destinations especially since the show occurs in February.

But then an interesting thing happened after the L.A. conference. I asked attendees and industry folks for feedback on where our 2020 Summit should take place. Seven cities were under consideration and I expected the majority of people to choose a warm weather climate with gorgeous beaches, bars and casinos. To my surprise, they voted for the concrete jungle.

Throughout the process I kept thinking the results would change but they never did. I saw that as a sign that people were actually interested in being part of a great event and learning and networking with their peers rather than using the conference as an excuse for a 2-3 day mini-vacation.

After processing the feedback and evaluating the pros and cons, I took five different trips into New York City to scout locations. I looked at fifteen different venues in all different parts of the city and narrowed it down to a final three. It became pretty clear that The Ailey Citigroup Theater was the right fit for us. Not only is the theater layout excellent, but we have private rooms for our speakers and off-stage filming, and it’s a little bigger than last year’s location. That will allow us to comfortably fit 235-260 people in the room. That said, the demand to attend this year will also likely be higher.

I also took time to scout the surrounding area, and found a bunch of restaurants within walking distance of the theater. Hotels were also only 2-3 blocks away. On that note, I’m happy to share that we’ve partnered with The Watson Hotel to make sure those traveling in can secure a room at a great price. Details will be made available soon.

When you think about the sports world and the top brands and talent in our industry, many of them operate out of New York. There’s ESPN, FOX Sports 1, WFAN, 98.7 ESPN NY, SiriusXM, Westwood One, NFL Network, NBC Sports, DAZN, CBS Sports Network, Barstool Sports, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, The Player’s Tribune, YES Network, MSG, SNY, the NY Times, NY Post, NY Daily News and more. I haven’t even mentioned yet the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and WWE or the ad agencies, media agents, and social networks who occupy real estate in the big apple.

For attendees seeking adventure after the conference, there’s plenty to see and do. Times Square and Madison Square Garden are a short Uber/Cab or train ride away. So too are Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios/The Jimmy Fallon Show, The Stephen Colbert show, Comedy Central, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, The Museum of Natural History, the 9/11 Memorial, and a host of others.

Given the amount of talent and popular brands in New York City, putting together a star studded cast of speakers shouldn’t be difficult. The challenge though will be creating a schedule that covers a variety of issues even if it means not being able to include a few folks I like. The process to build an action packed show starts immediately.

One thing we will continue is the award ceremonies. I’m looking forward to assembling a list of candidates and determining who will receive the 2nd annual Jeff Smulyan and Tony Bruno awards. We will also introduce two new awards at this year’s show. Details to be announced at a later time.

For those wishing to attend the 2020 BSM Summit, tickets will go on-sale on Monday June 24th. We will have a special introductory price to those who purchase their tickets early. Prices will increase on October 1st and again on February 1st so it pays to take advantage of the early bird special.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention sponsorship opportunities being available too. If you represent a company or business and wish to be part of our two-day event, please email JBarrett@hvy.tcp.mybluehost.me.

For everything else, keep an eye on our social media accounts and stay tuned to BSMSummit.com and BarrettSportsMedia.com. It’s going to be an exciting event and I look forward to seeing you next February in the city that never sleeps!

VSiN To Launch The First Terrestrial Radio Network Dedicated to Sports Betting

Jason Barrett
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The Vegas Stats and Information Network is betting big on terrestrial radio. The company has announced plans to launch the nation’s first terrestrial radio network dedicated exclusively to sports betting news and information. The official launch will take place in August 2019.

The new network will provide radio stations across the country with access to select content from the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN), creating a national sports talk alternative for affiliate stations. Houston-based Gow Media will manage the syndication of programming to radio stations across the country.

“We’re thrilled to provide Gow Media with select sports betting content for terrestrial radio syndication on this exciting new platform. Establishing itself as the leader in the sports gambling information industry, VSiN is differentiated not only by delivering the most credible, actionable sports betting news and insights, but also by adding the entertainment factor with a variety of personalities,” said Dan Mason, Chairman at VSiN and former CEO of CBS Radio. “Over the past ten years sports radio has exploded and now there’s a new, younger audience emerging that will use analytics to inform their wagers within the growing regulated betting markets. This new network fits perfectly in that space, combining great personalities and legendary odds makers with sophisticated analytics.” 

“We think sports betting content is poised for unprecedented growth,” Gow Media Chief Executive Officer David Gow said. “We are excited about the opportunity to help this new network deliver this unique content to an audience hungry for information about the nation’s betting markets.”

The expansion into the terrestrial space doesn’t affect VSiN’s current partnership with SiriusXM. The sports betting brand does though plan to install a new name for the network. That will come at a later date.

For stations interested in information on VSiN’s available shows and how to sign up to carry their programming, click here.

More Bad Habits From The Broadcast Booth

Andy Masur
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More Bad Habits From The Broadcast Booth

They say that sequels are rarely as good as the original, but I’ll do my best to change that thought process. I bring this up because apparently one column on bad habits wasn’t enough. I heard from many of my broadcasting peers to point out a few more of these hard habits to break. My apologies to the band Chicago. 

In past columns, I’ve talked about the use of stats in a radio play-by-play broadcast. Still, some of us, again me included, can’t seem to shake this off. Especially early in a game, bombarding your radio listeners with stats, amounts to them putting on a white noise machine. Batting average, home runs, RBI are important numbers to the players, but are less important to your listener.

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They hear the stats, but since they’re probably concentrating on other things while listening, they don’t comprehend them. I’m trying to concentrate on big, impactful numbers, or ways to present stats in a more listener friendly way.  For example, instead of telling my White Sox audience that the White Sox this year are 31-34 after 65 games, I may go with, “the White Sox are 8 games better to this point than they were last season.”  That seems to resonate more with my audience that is watching a club rebuild. They want signs that things are working. I think that is one way to present this. Make the numbers impactful. 

I’m going to go all Captain Obvious with you now, since we’re talking about numbers. How about the number that matters most to your listener on radio. The score! I love a good story during a broadcast, truly I do, but at the expense of a score update every now and then, I can’t deal with it.

Listening back to a recent broadcast of mine, I timed that I went 2 minutes and 12 seconds without giving the score, during a discussion about one of the Sox minor leaguers (Luis Robert). Unacceptable. I slapped myself on the wrist after hearing this blunder. We as broadcasters on radio have to be more conscience of the listener’s need to know the score! 

I remember my days at Wrigley Field, I could see into the visitors booth to see what some of them would do to remind them to say the score. Hall of Famer Jon Miller actually used an hour glass. It wasn’t an hour timer, but a 90 second timer. Every time the sand ran out, he would say the score (within a reasonable time frame) and then flip the item over and start the sand flowing again.

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Other guys would simply have the word “SCORE” on a 4×6 note card in front of them, just for a friendly reminder. Some over the years told me that every few pitches they’d do a ‘reset’ which included not only the score, but inning and situation. Every once in a while that would also come with a game recap that gave the listener a “how did we get here” update. 

Finally, this time around, let’s talk about the times when there is a guest in the booth. Sometimes you have no choice, the team wants some celebrity fan or special guest on the air with you so, you have that person put on a headset. But as I’ve noticed, the game slips away in some cases. 

The Executive Producer of White Sox Baseball Dave Zaslowsky knows that at times this can be an issue. “While it’s great to have celebrities, former great players from the team, or team executives that may be promoting upcoming events, it’s vital to not lose focus of what is happening on the field. Pitches, plays and the score.”

So true. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in what the guest is saying or promoting and forget that you’re calling a baseball game. 

There is an art form to this and it starts with prepping your guest ahead of time. The conversation can go like this, “hey, we’re happy to have you hear and want to promote this event. Do me a favor, if the ball gets put into play, just pause to let me call the action. I promise we’ll get right back to the plug after the call.” Some guests will pick it up, some won’t.  Sometimes you literally have to interrupt the guest and call the play. It’s your job and responsibility to call the action for your listener. 

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Again, this column isn’t meant to be preachy, considering that I’m guilty of many of these things I’ve talked about as well. We all try to grow as broadcasters every day we turn on the microphones. Sometimes we don’t realize that we’ve fallen into some of these bad habits. Good news, these things are easily correctable! 

The Work Begins Before They Even Know Who You Are

Dave Greene
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I’ve heard a saying in media sales many times over the years: “The work begins when they say yes.”  Translated, this means once you make the sale, the work you put in to enter the order, get copy, plan the promotion and service the account is going to make getting the sale look easy. I think that saying needs to be retired or at least updated to something like: “The work begins way before they even know who I am.”

To me, this draws a comparison to getting ready for the baseball season.  Back in the day, players would spend their offseason working odd jobs to make money and, I would imagine, doing a lot of drinking.  Spring Training was for getting in shape and getting ready to play the season. The idea of spending any time during the offseason training for the year didn’t pop in to many player’s minds.  Looking at you, Mr. Ruth.

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As time went on, players started realizing they needed to train year round, and the salaries they were now being paid would allow them to put the time in and not have to work in the offseason.  Players now come in to Spring Training ready to go from a conditioning standpoint and use the time to get their timing down for the season.  Too much is at stake and too many players are ready to take your job if you are not prepared BEFORE you even begin to think about Spring Training.

In our sports media sales world, this compares to the amount of time we spend prepping for meetings with prospects.  Back in the day, there wasn’t the amount of information we can find today.  We weren’t sure what clients were spending in the market, we didn’t know their annual gross sales or have the ability to look up the name of the Marketing Director on LinkedIn.

One of the great things about technology is all of this information that is out there.  With that, however, now comes the expectation that you will have used the information to know about the company and the people you are talking with at the company.  

I mentioned this recently about those applying for jobs.  I expect that, at the very least, those that are interviewing have looked up information about our stations and company.  

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We are not the experts on someone else’s business and we should never portray to know more than we do about their industry, but a quick Google search or glancing at an RAB.com Instant Background should provide us with a couple of nuggets to ask about that show we did our homework.

Additionally, we have to be looking at the prospects website, find out where they rank in organic search, figure out if they are doing any Pay-Per-Click, see how they position themselves, what their social following is like and more.  If, for example, you have someone in a service industry that doesn’t show up well in organic listings for basic industry terms, you have a great reason to pick up the phone and call for an appointment.

The bottom line is that our work no longer begins after the sale, it begins before you ever pick up the phone to call.  As sellers, we are always taught to use any advantage we can find.  I tell reps all the time, there is nothing that makes this job easy, but there are things that can make it easier. 

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Putting in a little effort prior to talking to a new prospect can make all the difference in the world.  The payoff to this will be a higher closing ratio and that is always worth going the extra mile for.

Correcting Bad Habits In The Broadcast Booth

Andy Masur
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Baseball itself has changed a lot over the years: the way teams travel, to the building of new parks, sabermetrics and of course the defensive shift. Because of all of that change, broadcasts and broadcasters have had to change the way some information is presented, but some habits have been hard to break. I know, because I’m guilty of a few of these myself. So, don’t take this as me scolding, instead maybe think of it as a reminder that we all need to pay attention to this issue. 

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For as long as I can remember baseball broadcasts have featured a lengthy out of town scoreboard. The action takes a back seat to “out of town scores”. This info was relevant for a while. The days before electronic devices made this scoreboard feature a big deal if you wanted to know a specific score. But as my old broadcast partner Jerry Coleman used to say “that was then, this is now”.

I’m not sure how needed this information is anymore. Why take anything away from the team you are actually calling games for to bring some meaningless scores from around the league. Chances are pretty good that if you want to know a score, you can easily find it. Your smartphone, tablet, or computer has that information covered. 

Now there are a couple of exceptions to this rule. Pennant races late in the season are a good reason to keep an audience updated on another team’s score. If Team A, needs Team B to lose, well certainly if you’re calling games for Team A, your audience cares if Team B wins or loses.

The other exceptions would be if something very out of the ordinary is going on in a game, if an individual had a monster game or there was a significant injury involved. To update the score of last week’s Padres/Phillies game would have been a good idea, considering Andrew McCutchen left with an injury. It turned out to be a significant one, with an ACL tear. If you were talking about the White Sox/Astros game from a couple of weeks ago, I’d be fine with an update on that game considering the Sox turned a triple play and hit a grand slam in the same contest. You get the idea. 

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When it comes the next two old habits, I have been guilty of both in the last two weeks. 

Baseball is fighting the image that it’s a slow sport that drags on and on. The worst part is that at times the game does drag on. If you’re a broadcaster constantly reminding people of this fact it sounds like you’d rather be somewhere else or that this game is infringing on your time. I understand that in the moment, yes, the game can get long and drawn out, but I feel like we should make the best of it.

Instill a little humor or interesting fact. “There have been 82 pitches thrown in this inning by 4 pitchers…”, that gives the listener an idea of how long things have been going on. It should also give you an opportunity to tell a story or two, relate a conversation you had with a player or coach before the game. I know I’m guilty here too, but we should all be trying to change. 

This next one came up recently while doing a road series with the White Sox in Washington DC. Those that have called games in Nationals Park know exactly how high the broadcast booths are in relation to the field. I’ve heard (and probably said), “there will be no fly balls higher than where we’re located”, or “we hired Sherpa’s to help us climb up to the booth”.

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Ok once it may come off as sarcastic and funny, more than that, seems to the listener that you’re complaining about being paid to be at a baseball game. I get it, sarcasm might be my actual middle name, but we have to be better than that!

Maybe instead of the sarcasm we can describe how well we can see the defensive alignments, or how it’s a bird’s eye view of the jump the left fielder gets on a ball in the gap? I’m going to try this for sure. 

I know I’m coming off a bit preachy here. I’ve listened back to some of my work this season and noticed a few of these “crutches” and I cringe a little bit. I can only imagine what our listeners are thinking. 

An Ode To “Maybe”

Dave Greene
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I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been getting a lot of “maybe’s.”  “Maybe” is a lot like that time in baseball games now between when the manager signals for a replay review and the decision. 

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Don’t you always wonder what is taking so long? How many times can they possibly look at the same play that we looked at twice on TV and saw what the outcome should be?  What could they be talking about before giving an answer?  Of course, the big difference is that the umpires do, eventually, give an answer. 

In our world, we get a lot of “maybe’s” that turn in to forever, because the client never bothers to tell us no.  I hate maybe’s so much, I wrote a rhyme about them:

An Ode to “Maybe”

We’re in sports media sales and don’t’cha know

We love to hear yes’s, never like to hear no

But the worst of all is neither you see

That’s when we get the dreaded “maybe”

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When this word comes out of a client’s mouth 

We don’t know if the deal is heading north or going south

Do I leave you on or take you off my pending biz?

You said “maybe” so I don’t know which it is.

I listened, I pitched, and I lowered the cost

But now I have no idea what to tell my boss

I had you down as an eighty percent close

But with you saying maybe, now who knows

Can you not make a decision, did I pitch the wrong guy?

You sounded so interested, was that all a lie?

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Do I move on to another or act like it’s all fine

Your “maybe” is killing me and my pipeline.

I have to figure out how to get “maybe” to a “yes”

Or face the wrath of one angry DOS

I’d tried to pop in and get clarification

But the gatekeeper said you were out on vacation

But, I need to know and I need to know ASAP

Are you or are you not going to do business with me?

I need to hit quota and I’m kinda in a rush

Oh, stupid “maybe’s” I hate you so much!

Please return my email and let me know where things stand

You said in the CNA you needed to further your brand

But now we’ve lost contact and I thought you were a lock

Til you hit me with “maybe” – which is just such a crock

So just tell me this, and then I’ll let it go

Can you at least say if this a “maybe, yes” or a “maybe, no?”

“Maybe” is the bane of a sports media seller’s existence

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A terrible reward for all our persistence 

Eventually you meet with the boss who asks “What’dya got?”

And you aren’t sure if this deal’s a “maybe” or a “maybe not”

I hate you “maybe,” oh, how I hate you so

Is it really that hard to just give me a YES or a NO?

You Can’t Get The Job Without Acing The Interview

Dave Greene
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Oh, the millennials.  I know every generation trashes the generations that follow, and I’m probably turning a bit into my parents here, but these millennials need some advice.  The advice they need most can be summed up by the tagline of the old Smith Barney commercials featuring John Houseman, who’d famously say they “make money the old-fashioned way, they earrrrn it!”

Image result for smith barney john houseman

I say this because I’ve been doing a lot of interviews lately and the expectation level from the millennials seems to be more about getting what they think is coming to them, versus what they need to do in order to work for it.  While I’m experiencing this on the sales end, from what I hear this is an across the board issue.  

Back when I started in the mid-90’s, everything was still about starting at the bottom and working your way to the top.  You wanted to get in the door any way that you could. Then you would bust your butt for little or no money until you got a full time opportunity and then you continued to climb the ladder.  This new crop of younger professionals appear to live more in a world of “here I am, take it or leave it.”

If you happen to be of this generation and you are wanting to get into our business on the sales end, here are 5 things you really need to work on during your interview(s):

Always Dress to Impress

Suit up, kiddo.  Look like someone I might want to buy advertising from.

In the first thirty seconds of meeting you, I’m going to evaluate how you look, how you shake my hand, whether or not you make eye contact and the small talk on the way back to the office.  Then, it’s all about how you present yourself to me in the first two minutes when we sit down.  I’m going to judge you this way, because clients are going to judge you this way.

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 Do Your Homework 

This, to me, is a great indicator of how you might do your job if I were to hire you.  I believe clients always want to work with someone that seems to know a little bit about what they do.  Same goes for an interview situation. 

As an Entercom employee, I think it’s reasonable to expect that you’ve Googled the company, know about the merger with CBS, know we are all over the country and which local stations we operate.  I had a young lady recently who, when I asked “what do you know about our company?” went ahead and hit me with “I couldn’t find that much.”  Oh, really?  

Have Questions Prepared

This goes along with doing a bit of homework.  Show me you’ve put some effort into this and that you want the position badly enough that you took time to look up some information, that you thought about the job and what you want to know about it, and you formulated some questions. 

Here’s a secret for anyone interviewing for any job, ever: at some point you’re going to be asked ‘what questions do you have?’  To not have any or to “Ummm…” your way through it is not acceptable.  I’m evaluating how you’re going to do at a very demanding job and go on meetings with clients which you have to be prepared for.  If you’re going to wing it for the interview, why wouldn’t I think you’re going to do the same on sales calls?

Send A Follow Up Note

If you don’t follow up with me within 24-48 hours with at least a note via email, there’s a good chance you aren’t getting the job.  Again, all I can do is evaluate how you do in the interview process.  However, I’m relating it all to how I believe you’ll do with prospects and clients. A simple gesture, now made even easier with email (we used to send thank you cards), that takes almost no time.  If you aren’t smart enough to know this is mandatory, I’m going to have to pass.

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Go After the Job with Everything You Have

I’ve always believed that a great indicator of how you’ll do going after clients, is how you do going after me for the job. The four things mentioned above are all part of this.  I expect you to have done some homework and come up with good questions.  I expect you to be dressed for the position and to make an impression.  And, I expect written follow up in a reasonable amount of time. 

In addition to those things, I want to know you want this position badly.  Do you consistently follow up?  If I give you an assignment, do you get it back to me in a proper amount of time? And overall, do you make me think you really want this position?

Millennials, I’m rooting for you and that’s why I’m willing to help.  These aren’t high expectations.  Look the part, act the part and then get out there and EARRRRNT IT!

How Do You Find The Best Stories For Your Game?

Andy Masur
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How Do You Find The Best Stories For Your Game?

You want your broadcast to be filled with information and not just the garden variety things you find in the team’s game notes. I’m talking about information other than what a certain player is hitting over his/her last 12 games and factoids other than where he/she went to college or high school. The stories are there, but where do you get them? How do you present them?

I’ve got some ideas for you and they really won’t require you to do a whole lot of leg work. 

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Read

Chances are pretty good that if you need a story about a player, there has been one written at some point. Whether it be in a local newspaper, a national publication or in an online article. Google is your friend. Now the only thing I’ll caution you on is to double check and make sure that the information in the first story you found is accurate information. Simply check the next article (making sure it’s from a different source) to see if the story in the first article matches or is similar to the second. 

If you are a regular reader of publications or online sites, you may even have a good “recall” or memory of something you heard or saw in the past. This gives you a leg up, because more than likely you’ll remember the source and just need to go back and refresh your memory on the subject. 

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When you get to the major league level, teams will provide “clips” of articles that are written about the team. 

As an example, with the White Sox an article was written about one of the pitchers and his work out regimen during the off season. It has improved his performance and was very interesting in detailing the process the pitcher used and who he worked out with. After reading the article, I interviewed the player for my pregame show. Using the framework of what I read, began to ask him questions about it and surprisingly he had more information for me than was in the original piece.

He told me afterwards that it was information that he had forgotten about until I asked him a few follow ups on the subject. Not only did I use the interview in my pregame, I now am armed (no pun intended) with information for the broadcast when he next pitches. 

Coaches, Managers, Front Office Execs

People that are usually around players most often are the coaches and managers of these teams. Sometimes a front office executives will have information, but this is a little more tricky to get unless you’ve built trust (see one of my previous columns) and will use only what they say is ok to use on your broadcast. 

Generally I like to use these people for additional information, after I’ve already interviewed a player. I’ll tell the manager, “Player A told me today that you suggested he change his approach…what do you remember about that conversation…” or something to that effect. This way he’s not betraying a players’ trust by telling you more information, because you’ve already gone to the player and its on the record. 

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Most of the time what you’ll see happen is after knowing a manager or a coach for a while, I may walk into his/her office before approaching the player and say “hey, I’m talking to player B for pregame today is there anything you think I should ask him?”. That manager may tell you ask him about “this” but don’t tell him that you asked me first. I’m good with that. The player thinks you did a lot of extra research on him (and you sort of did) and you’re not hanging the manager out to dry. All good things. 

Opposing broadcasters

When you’re trying to get ready for a broadcast, you should have some information about the other team. Again, things you won’t find in their game notes.  You usually have one, sometimes two great sources of information, usually within a 5 second walk. The opposing broadcasters. 

The information share between broadcasters helps both of you out tremendously. While you don’t want the home team call to be filled with a ton of information about the visiting team it is nice to have some info.

Know who the team’s closer is and what he’s done recently. The numbers might not always tell the story. He could be dealing with an injury or a personal issue. That information enhances your broadcast and shows your audience that you did your homework. 

Remember this is an information “share” so you need to reciprocate with good intel on your team as well. Again, you’re not giving away things that anyone told you in confidence, but there may be a story about one of your players that directly relates to one of theirs. Maybe they were high school or college teammates? Perhaps you asked one player about the other and some funny information came to light, that’s perfect to share and help out your fellow announcers. 

Now when you go to their booth, have some questions ready on specific players you’ve researched. Don’t just walk in there and say… “hey tell me about your team…”. Ask about the pitcher. What does he throw? What’s his best pitch? What type of velocity will we see. Has he incorporated a new pitch or change his delivery. These are things to walk in there and ask about. They should do the same in return. 

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Above all, remember not to share sensitive information that you have been asked not to speak about. That opens up a whole new can of worms you don’t want to deal with. 

Information is everywhere these days thanks to the World Wide Web, but don’t just settle for the ride on the superhighway of information. Dig deeper. Do the work. Your broadcast will be better as a result. 

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