Broadcasting Tips & Host Resources

1. Give every show a clear purpose

• Decide who you are speaking to and what you want them to feel, learn or do. Write one sentence that captures the episode’s promise.
• Build a rundown: opening, main topics, guest questions, music or station breaks, closing and a backup topic. Give each segment a time budget.
• Verify names, pronunciations, dates and any facts you plan to share. Keep source notes nearby and distinguish personal opinion from verified information.
• Write your first and last lines. Use bullet points for the middle so you can stay organized while sounding like yourself.

2. Create a clean recording environment

• Choose a quiet room with soft furnishings. Close windows, silence notifications and move away from fans, televisions and other background noise.
• Wear headphones to hear hum, distortion, echo and guest audio. Play a short test recording back before recording the full show.
• Start about a hand’s width from the microphone and slightly off to the side of its center. Adjust for your microphone and voice; keep your distance consistent.
• Set the recording level while speaking at your loudest expected volume. Avoid red meters and clipping; if the sound distorts, reduce input gain and test again.
• Keep water nearby, position notes where you can see them quietly and avoid tapping the desk or handling the microphone during a take.

3. Speak to one listener

• Imagine one person listening in their car or kitchen. Use clear, everyday language and explain unfamiliar names or terms.
• Bring warmth and intention to your voice. Vary your pace, pause after meaningful points and let your energy match the topic.
• Keep introductions focused. Tell listeners what is coming and why it matters before moving into the story.
• If you stumble, pause and restart the sentence. For a recording, note the time for editing. For live radio, correct yourself briefly and continue.

4. Keep the show moving

• Use a visible clock or timer. Know which segment you can shorten if a conversation runs long.
• Introduce each transition: recap the useful point, tell listeners what is next and move into the next segment or approved break.
• Identify yourself, your show and WSMC naturally, especially after breaks. Welcome listeners who may have just tuned in.
• End with a takeaway, thank your guests and listeners, and offer one clear next step. Only announce a next air date or time after it is confirmed; label schedules in Eastern Time.

5. Help guests give their best interview

• Confirm the guest’s name, pronunciation, role and topic beforehand. Explain the format, approximate length and whether the conversation is live or recorded.
• Agree on topics and boundaries. Ask the guest to use headphones, find a quiet space and join early enough for a sound check.
• Start with an open question. Ask one question at a time, listen to the answer and follow up with requests for a specific example.
• Avoid talking over a guest. Gently bring long answers back to the topic and keep a backup question ready if the connection drops.

6. Represent your show and the station well

• Use the WSMC name clearly: Where Spirit Meets Culture. Keep discussions welcoming and respectful, even when people disagree.
• Coordinate music, station IDs, advertisements and sponsor mentions with the station team before recording. Confirm approval before including material supplied by someone else.
• Credit guests and contributors accurately. Avoid sharing someone’s private information or presenting an unverified claim as fact.
• For sponsor copy, follow the wording and placement agreed with WSMC. Ask the station team when you are unsure about a segment or submission requirement.

7. Review and deliver a complete recording

• Listen back from beginning to end. Check the opening, every transition and the closing for missing audio, long gaps, sudden volume changes and unfinished edits.
• Keep a backup of the original recording. Export a separate delivery copy using the file format and duration agreed with WSMC; ask the team if these have not been confirmed.
• Use a descriptive name, such as ShowName_2026-11-10_Part01.mp3. Add the episode title, requested air date and editing instructions in the Host Portal.
• The portal accepts recordings up to 500 MB. Keep the upload page open until confirmation appears. A submitted recording still needs station review and scheduling.

Your pre-show & delivery checklist

Use this checklist for each episode. Checkmarks stay on this page until you reload it.

Download the checklist (.txt) →

A sample one-hour show outline

A starting point for planning—not a confirmed WSMC clock. Adjust the content and break lengths with the station team, and include every break within your agreed total running time.

Download the sample rundown (.txt) →