Writing Political Radio Scripts

The challenge for any election season is to write radio scripts that touch the heart and not deflect off the shield that surrounds the soul of most voters. The conditioning of the mind has been evolving since the first political radio commercials. The challenge for the writer is obvious. Be subtle in the approach. The days of overt name calling or shouting the candidates name in hopes of making an impression with the voters is over. With so many listening options outside the commercial radio market, candidates and special interest groups will demand much more from the writers than before.

Scott Radio, a radio political voice and script writing organization conducted a survey of over five hundred radio listeners in a quest to understand the mindset or comfort zone of the average radio listener. Some of the discoveries were as follows:

First, the tolerance level for commercials is eroding. Fifty percent of those surveyed stated that they have a quick "trigger" to avoid commercials.

Second, the survey revealed that for political radio advertising specifically, the over saturation by candidates during the campaign is reason enough to avoid commercial radio.

Finally, the research shows that candidate bashing is what the cable news shows do each day in such detail that for a candidate to spend time on the negative issue radio advertising is pointless.
The content of the commercial usually outdated. The American public is now quick to find resolution to an issue. They no longer wait for someone else to assess guilt or innocence. They frame their opinion and only when presented overwhelming evidence to the contrary do they waiver. They take pride in being stubborn on political issues, because they can be.

To spend money advertising issues or negative commentary about an opponent now runs the risk of being old copy, as the voter has most likely formed an opinion before the commercial is produced. By the time the political attack ads make the commercial rotation, a new issue will have surfaced. There is a much better way. scottradio.com has discovered it.

Scott Perreault is author of the Campaign Managers Handbook which offers insight on writing political radio commercials and robo call. Download today at http://www.scottradio.com/cspublishing.html ScottRadio.com is a Political Advertising Agency and Voice Works specializing in Radio. We represent National, State and local candidates or issue campaigns. Over twenty years experience. 2006-2008 Agency of record for U.S. Senate Campaign in Texas. We assist Independents, Republicans and Democrats. Scott Radio services include: Voice Work, Advertising Agency, Research, Publishing and Political Consulting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Perreault

Setting Up or Starting Up a FM Radio Station

While the information in this guide deals with a New Zealand example, many of the points are relevant in other countries.

When you come to setting up or starting up a FM radio station, you have two very different options. The first choice is to apply for a full power commercial FM license. This type of license allows you to broadcast over a large area. The drawbacks with a full power FM license are that it is often a complicated process, that no frequency may be available in the area you wish to broadcast, and that ongoing fees apply.

Another option is to starting up a low power FM radio station. In New Zealand, there are no ongoing fees to operate this type of station - however you do need to pay nominal annual fees to APRA and RIANZ for music royalties. You do need to ensure however that your transmission equipment is compliant with Radio Spectrum Management regulations. Additionally, as is the case with any radio station, all your broadcasts need to comply with the Broadcasting Act.

Fundamentally this means your broadcasts must be in good taste. The advantages that a low power FM radio station have over a commercial station is that is is much less expensive to set up at the outset, your likelihood of finding a suitable frequency are much higher, and there are far fewer ongoing costs.

When operating a low power FM station, you need to determine who your audience is. If you are broadcasting in an area where there are already a number of resident commercial stations, you may enjoy more success by broadcasting niche programming that appeals to an audience not currently served by the full power FM stations. Alternatively for those who are located in a more rural area or town, you then have the opportunity to set your station up as the local alternative to what is already available. Generally a local station competing against a station being beamed in by satellite from one of the main centres will attract a great deal of local community support.

When it comes to setting up or starting up a low power FM radio station, you need to bear in mind these points. The studio space should ideally be away from external sources of noise (i.e. not located next to a construction site), and should be a small room. Larger rooms tend to generate echo that can get down the microphone and on air. When it comes to the equipment, there are a few specialist items you will require. These include the transmitter and antenna system, a limiter / compressor, a unit to balance the audio, as well as a device to enable you to take phone calls on air. In addition, ideally your station will also have a mixing desk, microphones, headphones, CD player, audio cables, a computer system and radio automation software. You will also need licenses from APRA and RIANZ that cover your music royalty responsibilities. For the most basic setup however, it is possible to make do with simply the transmitter and antenna system and your music licenses.

In New Zealand, people broadcasting on a low power FM basis must use transmission equipment that meets spurious emission limits, and which has a maximum power output of 500mW. While this is a fraction of the power that a full power commercial radio station would broadcast at, provided you have a good site and the antenna is mounted correctly, you can enjoy coverage of up to 10 square kilometres. The frequencies you may broadcast on are 88.1 - 88.7 FM and 106.7 - 107.7 FM. The factor that has the greatest influence on how far your broadcast will go is the height of your antenna - the higher, the better.

It is also necessary to consider the following points:

- determine that the likely broadcast area of your station will not interfere, or receive interference, from other people broadcasting on low power FM freqencies in your area.
- you must ensure that your broadcast signal is adequately compressed and that is not too wide
- ensure that the radio automation software you use is reliable and is fully tested to operate trouble-free operation
- your station needs to be logically programmed in order to sound professional
- ensure that all your broadcasts comply with broadcast standards and other regulations
Starting up a successful FM radio station involves much more than simply obtaining a low power FM transmitter, plugging it in and playing music on air. By carefully setting up your station and ensuring that your broadcasts bear in mind the target audience, you can be assured of much enjoyment, an insight into the fascinating radio industry, and perhaps even a new career.

Tony Katavich has experience starting up a number of FM radio stations in New Zealand and has managed a commercial radio station.
tony@themulcher.co.nzhttp://www.themulcher.co.nz
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Calkin