This is primarily a Talk Radio format tip, but also a tip that I’ve given many times to TV talent.

I keep hearing things like this…

“We’ll be right back, after these commercial messages.” (The worst, and most outdated “go-away” there is.)

“We’ll step aside now, for this commercial break.” (Step aside? Where? Why? Do you have to make room for it?)

“More, after this…” (“More” is fine, but there’s still that “after this…”)

“Stay tuned. We’ll be right back.” (First, don’t tell me what to do. And second, where are you going?)

“On the other side…” (Of what? Some railroad tracks?)

All of these silly ways of going to a break only POINT OUT that a bunch of commercials are going to play. Why would anyone want to put the spotlight on the most boring part of the broadcast?

Instead, just say “Next.” As in, “We’ll check out the Sports scores, next…” or “Back to the phones, next…”

You get the idea. Everyone knows that they’re going to hear (and/or watch) commercials. Many people just go to the bathroom, or whatever else they need to do, or whatever will kill time – usually with the sound down, if this happens on TV.

So, to borrow from Nancy Reagan’s “Just say ‘no'” slogan, “Just say ‘next’” instead of pointing a big red finger at the biggest negative on the station.