At RadioDays Europe, Graham Albans was a panelist. He’s the 26-year old assistant producer of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. It’s the most listened to radio show in Europe.
He shared his experience, insights and some show prep secrets with the Radio Stuff podcast this week.
Here are four things The Chris Evans Breakfast Show team keeps in our mind as they are making content for the show.
1. What comes out of the speaker, starts with what happens in the office. “We need to decide what kind of experience we want the listeners to have and generate that kind of feeling at the desks. We’re a hyper-positive and fun show and so we’re a good, fun team. We sound like we’re having a good time, because we are having a good time making the show. ”
2. It’s not our show, it’s their show. “It’s not about us, it’s about the listeners. Everything needs to reflect the listener. We don’t just tell our stories, we tell the stories of the listeners.”
3. Third thought radio mentality. This is a simple principle to apply whenever you’re coming up with ideas. Here’s how it works; “Your first thought – whatever it is – is likely rubbish and you should throw it out with the trash. Your second thought is starting to get somewhere — you’ve built on the original idea — and this is where most people stop, but you can take it one step further. The third thought is typically more personal, more unique, and you’ll be a million miles away from your first thought.”
4. Make the little things the big things (Make the big things the little things). Instead of talking to the biggest celebs, try interviewing a 5-year old school girl about a spelling quiz she has today. “It’s taking an everyday, ordinary experience and putting it on a pedestal.”
Larry Gifford 
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