Ten ways to set up segments so listeners stick around
The first few sentences of your talk segments can set you up for success or failure. People don’t have short attention spans, contrary to a multitude of articles about goldfish. It’s not our attention span that’s shorter than a goldfish. It is our deliberation span.
We all decide within seven to eight seconds whether or not we are interested in the rest of the content so, as creators, we need to pique people’s interest quickly. Here are ten setup techniques to try, and specific examples of each one:
1. Pique curiosity: Tell me if you think this is a bad idea...
2. Set the scene: Imagine this… you're with your date… you're sitting front row at the Morgan Wallen concert...and then this happens… I
3. Exaggeration for effect: You ever get embarrassed at a little thing but you kind of want to kill yourself?
4. Characterizing: If you’re like me, you wait ‘til the last minute to pay your taxes…
5. Polarizing: Make a strong statement you have to back up. Sometimes it’s OK to lie to your kids and I’ll tell you why...
6. Start at the lowest point: So I think I'm going to jail.
7. Pattern disruption: I was given a parenting challenge over the weekend, and I want to give it back.
8. Create intimacy: I have to apologize.
9. Use listeners' own words: Well, the text line has spoken and it turns out, I am definitely wrong about this…
10. Start with the higher idea: Rites of passage aren’t in the life handbook because no one can prepare you for all the things you’re gonna have to feel when you go through them… for example, my kid just got braces yesterday…
The feelings checklist
Another way to brainstorm your setup is by answering the question: How do I want people to feel after this break? Here is a breakdown of the most common feelings:
1. LOL - That's so funny
2. WTF - That makes me mad
3. AWW - That's sooooo cute
4. WOW - Amazing!
5. NSFW - That's crazy
6. OHHHHH - Now I get it!
7. FINALLY - Someone said what I feel!
8. YAY! - That's great news!
9. *SNIFF* - I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Setting up news and information
With any benchmark where you curate stories from the world (e.g. news, entertainment, sports, weird news, good news, etc.), an attention-grabbing, conversational first line for each story re-engages the listener, drawing them back into the content.
Things aren’t looking good for the auto industry today.
How do you make love last 75 years?
I wish this were the case. I bet you do too. [Metal braces are cool again.]
Even though they are news stories, the hooks make them seem like they are about the listener. The listener is put into the story and the story is set up much more like you’d set up a story when talking to a friend.
Setups can make or break a segment. Always include, “How are we setting this up?” in your prep meeting.
And keep showing up!
~ Angela