Making News Sound Red Hot

TV Consultants SmithGeiger of Los Angeles is generally regarded as the author “news right now”.

They give clients a three-page list of words and phrases intended to grab viewers by the ears. 

Any radio station still delivering news (there are some right?) can certainly gleam some ideas from the advice.

SmithGeiger  advises clients 

"Your voice, your attitude, your energy can make stories urgent…so do the words you choose. The language we use in the newscast is often a key part of conveying that we have the very latest, that our newscast has the news that is happening now…. 

"Each person who touches copy needs to challenge themselves to constantly find the right words that will capture the sense of immediacy and urgency we know viewers are demanding of us."

Their advisory lists "words and phrases to consider using to help reflect and promote urgency and a ‘happening now' feeling in a newscast."   A partial list:

• live
• update
• updated information
• we begin with breaking news tonight
• breaking news just coming in to our newsroom

More phrases intended to make the news so red-hot it sizzles:

• we do have some breaking news right away
• rapid developments
• this story is rapidly changing
• you saw it here first just minutes ago
• we are going to be covering this live for you
• breaking overnight
• we are just getting started
• but first we begin with
• all new
• new right now
• new developments are unfolding
• we are watching with you these first pictures live from the scene
• this is a rapidly developing situation
• breaking as we go on air
• you'll hear in just seconds
• but after we told you…we kept asking
• we've been talking about this in the last hour
• we want to give you the very latest
• we are going to stay on this story every step of the way
• we have new information for you as soon as anything happens
• we are following this closely and are making sure you don't miss anything
• we are going to stay on this story night and day
• we are not stopping with our coverage until this story is done

And SmithGeiger reminds clients:  "Remember to always promise an update and/or continuing coverage of a breaking news story."

ALSO READ: “Breaking News” Is Broken. Click Here.

FLASHBACK:  CKLW Radio's 20/20 News. Ckick Here.