RemainComm

Virtual Aircheck Is a Virtual Mystery

 At first blush, this may look like a post that is of interest only to radio people. In reality, though it caught my attention as a 'radio guy', it highlights lessons that can be learned by any business on the web.

Because of my love of radio, especially as it could be, and through my active participation with The Conclave, I'm always looking out for new resources that can lead to improving content and the talent that produces it. Hence my interest in checking out a new service called VirtualAirchecks.com.

For those not caught up in the broadcast vernacular the "aircheck" is simply a sample of on-air work like a DJ's show or an on-air program of some kind. The practice of "airchecking" usually refers to a talent sitting down with their boss or talent coach and reviewing the recorded sample looking for ways to improve the content moving forward. I'm sorry to say, this is something that happens less and less frequently as Program Directors become responsible for an ever increasing list of duties they can no longer delegate...because those to delegate to are being "downsized".

Anyway, VirtualAirchecks.com offers a service for talent to upload their 7 minute aircheck to the site. It is then reviewed by “a panel of PD’s with over 70 years of combined experience.” and a complete report is then sent back to the talent with comments and coaching tips. This is all done for the low, low price of $24.95...and up. On the face of it, this is a very solid idea.

Today’s post…blah, blah, blah…

Any question in anyone’s mind that we are all stressed for time? If there is consider the “blah, blah, blah” or, as Seinfeld made famous, the “yada-yada”, or one I hear more and more, the “da-di-da-di-da”.

Blah-Blah is defined by Webster’s as “silly or pretentious chatter or nonsense” and yada-yada, it’s first use tracked to 1948, is defined by the Urban Dictionary as “Conversation glosser-over, similar to blah, blah, blah” These are a “stop me if you’ve heard this” for any discussion, story, or joke.

In the online world there are a ton of sites and applications reducing the blah, blah. Just look what Sony is doing with Minisodes. If you can reduce a 30 minute TV show to 5 minutes, there’s some blah, blah, blah, plenty of yada-yada and a smidgen of da-di-da-di-da.

Of course, you can’t forget about the likes of Twitter or Utterz. Their sole mission is to eliminate yada-yada. Even much of online advertising is getting shorter. Wha-hoo!

I’ve always been a big believer in editing. In fact, when editing I prescribe to the “cut it in half” mentality. Too often we get caught up in hearing ourselves talk or reading what we have written. If you hold true to being merciless, (something allot of Hollywood producers seem to lack these days) you’ll never need the blah, blah, or the yada-yada or worry about somebody doing it when they quote you…or playback your presentation.

The down side is that we could eliminate much of the art, the character development, the storytelling that makes any form of communication richer. Knowing not only what to edit but when to edit is crucial. 
Whether you’re strapped for time or catering to technology make sure you are cutting out the real yadda-yadda, the genuine blah-blah. Not the good stuff that makes the content compelling.

(Extra: While looking back at the Seinfeld Yada-Yada episode I came across this great exchange…

        Elaine: …Anyway, guess what? Beth Lookner called me.
        Jerry: Ooh. Beth Lookner, still waitin' out that marriage.
        Elaine: What are you talking about? That marriage ended six months ago. She's already  remarried.
        Jerry: I gotta get on that internet. I'm late on everything.

...I had to share. What great writing...and no blah, blah, blah.)

Is what you’re saying getting “the look?”

You know the look I’m talking about…the one similar to a dog looking at a ceiling fan (so ably demonstrated by our family pet, Belle). “The look” has also been referred to as the “deer in the headlights look” (Sorry, I don’t have a pet deer…so please refer to said dog.) It’s that look you may get after you’ve just explained your theory, concept, or next million-dollar idea. It made complete sense to you. It had everything…explanation, application, reward. Why on earth is your audience (one person or a hundred) looking at you like you just spoke in gibberish? Perhaps, to their ears, you have. 

It is seen or heard so often, especially in the internet and new media world. There are ideas, applications, websites, widgets and entire companies that may offer something to a potential consumer or their business that could change their lives…or, at least make them easier. But the explanation was so bogged down in industry speak that they tilted their head nodded and said something like…”Cool, let me get back to you.” Never to be heard from again. 

Let me give you an example with this line from a blog (that shall remain nameless) regarding the recent Open Social platform from Google.