I was put forward to judge the Community Radio Awards two years ago when I was still on my local radio station, Frome FM, in Somerset, UK.
The awards are open to:
“All current Ofcom licensed Community Radio Stations will be eligible to enter as many submissions to the categories as they wish, this also means that volunteers can submit their own entries. Exception, the Podcast and Community Radio Station (non-licenced) are open to non-Ofcom licensed stations or organisations who are not for profit legal entities. (NOTE only 1 Station of the Year entry per station).”
It has been a real honour, and a thrill to be allocated to the Community Show and Podcast categories.
My Top Criterion
What you do on radio is not unique! You are not the only person who has ever played the music you play on your show. You are not the only person your guest has spoken to.
What makes your show special and different is YOU! You are unique.
When I am judging the community radio awards, I look for personality, most importantly. That is what draws the listeners.
Interview Style
Secondly, I listen for interview style. When an interviewer asks their guest to:
“Tell me about yourself and your café”, I am not inspired as a listener.
It is really very obvious when an interviewer has done their research when they ask:
“I believe you don’t like onions. How do you cook such delicious food in your café without onions?”, I am instantly drawn to listen further.
Turn It Off?
Finally, I imagine the radio show on the car radio as I am driving home. There are many times I have turned off the engine and sat in the driveway listening to a show because I can just not pull myself away. When I am judging, I ask myself:
“Would I sit in the car and listen to the end of this show? Or would I turn it off and head into the house?”
Check out the Destination Dawn podcast which is now available on Amazon Music
