A longtime broadcast professional, Rob Woodfork has worked in various positions including traffic reporter, news anchor, and digital editor, among others in the industry. In addition to his work as an anchor, Rob wrote and produced the award-nominated Olympic series “Locals in London” and “Beltway to Brazil.”
Being a news anchor can be a stressful job, both on the radio and on television. These are three key things that a news anchor should avoid at all costs.
Going into a broadcast cold. Unless it’s absolutely impossible to do so, always prepare and learn about what you’re reporting before you report on it. Otherwise, you risk getting information wrong.
Assuming that you’re not on the air. There are countless examples of anchors making this crucial mistake. Don’t end up as part of a humorous video compilation, and always act as if you’re on the air.
Panicking. Sometimes you’ll be expected to perform perfectly in a high-stakes situation. As long as you maintain a cool head and a calm demeanor, you can work through most situations, no matter how challenging.
Robert Woodfork 