Time. As a former radio broadcaster, how many different songs have the word “time” in the title?
That could be a new game. Let’s see…
Time after Time- Cyndi Lauper
Time in a Bottle — Jim Croce
Time is on my Side — The Rolling Stones…
TIME — Flipsyde (a favorite workout song of mine)
Time and Time Again — Counting Crows
Good Time(s) – Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
As far as time goes though, I blame my broadcasting career for my obsession with being on time. “The 5 o’clock news does not start at 5:02.”
I mean, really, think about it. The show must go on…
Lots of people have a real issue with being on time and it seems to me to be getting worse. Have you noticed this? I think it’s exacerbated due to texting and having instantaneous communication channels. How many times have you had someone change plans mere minutes before you were to meet, figuring as long as they aren’t yet late, and they texted you, it’s OK.
I don’t know where you fall on the time continuum, but this post is not about giving anyone a hard time about it.
But it is a wakeup call that if you’re planning to do any kind of media, then you absolutely need to be on time for any interviews you may line up.
Live or recorded, it really doesn’t matter. But to be late to a live show, well, there is no excuse unless it involved blood and an accident. That’s about it.
I have noticed though in the last couple of years that there is a very nonchalant attitude about this — not with the media, but with individuals in general. I’ve scheduled interviews and had a client say, “Can we make it an hour later?” Now that might be ok if it’s a recorded interview, but live? uh uh. The show is on when the show is on.
So if you have some interviews lined up, keep these points in mind:
- Synchronize your clock, phone or whatever device you’re using to make sure it’s accurate. These days, most are very accurate, so be sure you stay attuned to what time it actually is.
- If it’s a phone or Skype interview, call in when they say to call in. If it’s an in-studio interview, be on time, which will usually be about a half hour before your scheduled appearance.
- If it’s a radio interview, ask if you need to call in a few minutes earlier then the time you are given. This is so they can check the line and make sure everything is OK before going live. It’s possible they’ll tell you you’ll be calling in during a news cast and you’ll go live once the news cast wraps up.
- If it’s a podcast interview, it’s often not live, so there may be more freedom to be a minute or two late. But even if that’s the case, I highly encourage you to be on time and connect when you are supposed to connect.
The good news is that often the adrenaline that flows when anticipating an interview will keep you timely.
Your friends may not care if you’re late to meet them. In fact, they may know you so well they count on it, but when it comes to media, it’s important to be on time.
Does anyone really know what time it is?
(Chicago)
To your success!