News

You’re wasting your time (and the listeners’ too)

Photo: Metro Services, Saga Communications


(607NewsNow) — Typical radio commercials are 30 or 60 seconds. Whatever length your business runs, don’t waste that precious time with filler phrases that basically try to say everything, but in reality, say absolutely nothing. Here’s a list of ten (10) phrases to strike from your ad copy and commercials:

1. “For all your _____ needs.” Says nothing about why the advertiser is better, different, or even competent.

2. “We’ve been serving the community for over ___ years.” Longevity alone does not equal quality, value, or relevance to the listener’s problem today.

3. “Family-owned and operated.” Meaningful only if tied to a specific customer benefit; otherwise, it is background noise.

4. “We pride ourselves on customer service.” Every business claims this; without proof, it is an empty assertion.

5. “Stop in today!” A call to action with no reason to act and no urgency.

6. “Quality you can trust.” A generic promise with no evidence, standards, or outcomes attached.

7. “Competitive prices.” Non-specific and unprovable; it does not tell the listener whether the business is cheaper, better, or worth paying more for.

8. “Locally owned.” Only effective if the local advantage is explicitly explained; otherwise, it is a label, not a benefit.

9. “Your one-stop shop.” Overused and rarely credible; breadth without clarity often reduces perceived expertise.

10. “Call now for more information.” Radio should motivate action, not homework. If the listener needs “more information,” the ad has failed.

News

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Eddie Vedder turns solo vulnerability into a powerful plea in Netflix’s ‘Matter of Time’

The first time Eddie Vedder toured without Pearl Jam, he made some glaring mistakes onstage and felt discouraged. A few shows later, he ran into Bruce Springsteen, who told him that performing solo is terrifying but that vulnerability can be a force to harness.

3 days ago in Entertainment

30 years after Pokémon’s release, fans are still trying to catch ’em all

In the 30 years since Pokémon debuted in Japan with the 1996 release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green for Nintendo Game Boy, the franchise has taken over the globe with its animated shows, mobile games and highly coveted trading cards. Its popularity continues with fans young and old.

3 days ago in Community, Lifestyle, Local, Regional

USDA: Trader Joe’s product could contain foreign material

According to the USDA, 20-ounce plastic bag packages of Trader Joe's Chicken Fried Rice could be contaminated with a foreign material, specifically glass.

3 days ago in Community, Lifestyle, Local, Regional

Variety of Weber grill brushes recalled for ingestion hazard

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a variety of Weber brushes have metal bristles that can detach, posing an ingestion hazard and risk of serious internal injuries.