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Be the "X" caller Radio Contests

H

houstonray

I'm a huge radio fan and not "in" the business. But I've often wondered about the call in radio contests where you have to be the so and so caller and how that actually works there in the studio.

My curiousity was increased the other day when I called in to a radio show to be a certain caller. I got through three times. The first time I was the 12th caller, the 2nd time I was the 31st caller and the third time I was the 22nd caller! Perhaps the person misspoke but I found that interesting.

So I was wondering, say you have to be the 75th caller. Does someone actually answer, caller number 1, caller number 2, caller number 3....etc all the way up to 75, or are there liberties taken with the numbering? Is there some sort of auditing done of that or is it just the honor system.
 
I have personally always answered all the calls and did the counting. I usually prefer caller number 12 or so instead if 75....or whatever, but i do recall contests where we picked up 107 calls for 107.5.. I'm sure there are guys who just start calling out numbers and pick a winner when they feel like it, but thats not my style.

kevinc
 
My uncle was a Dj and he made me count the callers but we always had caller number 9.
 
I don't believe in "x" caller contests. there's no thought or creativity to that, that doesn't entertain the listener. (unless they're #9). ::)
 
Its not always a matter of choice. Many times, if not most, contests done outside of morning drive are executed in a standard way. Take caller # 12 or whatever... No long drawn out trivia question or game is allowed. I agree, they are not very entertaining....but listeners still call like crazy hoping to be the big winner.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Now the luster is off the fun. ;)

In this case it was "caller 104" (guess the station? LOL). I usually like dialing in on contests that are less than 10 callers, but 104 is a lot of dialing. Think I'll just skip it next time.
 
Typically, a station will have 4 or 5 lines and the DJ will first clear the phone lines before doing the contest. The DJ may even clear the lines and then put them all on hold, thus releasing them after announcing the contest. The DJ will then answer the lines in quick succession, "caller 1, try again", "caller 2, try again", until reaching the caller that was asked for. However, when the DJ reaches that caller, let's say it's caller #12, the DJ may just answer by saying "Hello" and the caller letters of the station. This is to insure that the caller is actually calling because of the contest and not just making a random call to request a song or ask a question. The DJ may wait for the caller to say, "Am I the 12th caller?" or "Have you given away the Rolling Stones tickets yet?", before saying "You're the 12th caller!". Otherwise, the DJ might end up with the winner saying, "What did I win? Oh, okay. Who are the Rolling Stones? Can I make a request? Can you play 'Muskrat Love' by The Captain & Tennille?"
 
It's always a shame when a listener says, "I think I'll just skip it next time." I don't know if anybody's told you, lately, but you're really appreciated and valued by the jock on the air. When you call in for contesting, you're telling the jock that not only are you hearing him/her, but you're willing to go the extra step to lift the phone and dial to connect with them when they have something to give away.

Thank you for listening.
 
Very true... There is also another hidden value for the jock in the call-in contests. Its a great place to go looking for phone bits for use on the air or in request shows. You get a bunch of people calling for one thing, but then you take the time to talk to them about other stuff and you will be amazed at how they respond. Some are just run of the mill prize seekers (trying to be nice) but others are true fans of the station and will gladly request a song or play along with a bit. I have always tried to treat all phone callers with respect and engage them in some way, instead of just blowing them off as some guys do.

kevinc
 
I produced for years in Houston and Austin and I always counted. My first GM at KQQK insisted on it. "If you're going to do it, do it right," he'd always say.
 
aunti-terrestrial said:
It's always a shame when a listener says, "I think I'll just skip it next time." I don't know if anybody's told you, lately, but you're really appreciated and valued by the jock on the air. When you call in for contesting, you're telling the jock that not only are you hearing him/her, but you're willing to go the extra step to lift the phone and dial to connect with them when they have something to give away.

Thank you for listening.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, I didn't think about it from that perspective. ;)
 
David Sadof said:
Typically, a station will have 4 or 5 lines and the DJ will first clear the phone lines before doing the contest. The DJ may even clear the lines and then put them all on hold, thus releasing them after announcing the contest. The DJ will then answer the lines in quick succession, "caller 1, try again", "caller 2, try again", until reaching the caller that was asked for. However, when the DJ reaches that caller, let's say it's caller #12, the DJ may just answer by saying "Hello" and the caller letters of the station. This is to insure that the caller is actually calling because of the contest and not just making a random call to request a song or ask a question. The DJ may wait for the caller to say, "Am I the 12th caller?" or "Have you given away the Rolling Stones tickets yet?", before saying "You're the 12th caller!". Otherwise, the DJ might end up with the winner saying, "What did I win? Oh, okay. Who are the Rolling Stones? Can I make a request? Can you play 'Muskrat Love' by The Captain & Tennille?"
Click to expand...

exactly how it works. we have five lines per studio. depending on which phone system you have, you can get hit the "next" button and keep answering and dropping the callers with your #1, #2, #3 .......

also screening out the "what did i win" callers, there are the VORACIOUS callers who call in at every contest. they have gotten so good, they can start calling BEFORE the minute the call to win liner goes out. For DJs it sux having the same winner. lucky for them CALLER ID, Promotional Software program to TRACK and LOG all this down helps in a HUGE way, may not be right or even legal. Also the money prize, you cant win money withing 90 days or so, and you still have callers that give their mommas, sisters, and every family member they can think of to get that money.... :D
 
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