The document provides guidance on creating effective radio trailers to promote documentaries. It recommends including facts and statistics to inform listeners and make the documentary seem interesting. It also suggests using a voiceover to guide listeners and connect with them personally. Music can be used to set the atmosphere, but the narration should still be audible. An ideal length is 30-40 seconds to inform listeners without giving too much away, potentially using short extracts from the documentary.

1. Radio Trailer Codes
And Conventions
Georgina Rees
S

2. Facts
S A radio trailer needs to contains facts and statistics to make it
informative and provide knowledge for the listener.
S These facts should convince the listener to want to watch the
documentary as it should make it sound interesting.
S If we include facts in our documentary radio trailer it will also sound
more professional and realistic.
S The use of facts will also show a thoroughly researched product, which
is the effect I am aiming for.
S A catchy slogan may also be used to entice the audience. The
documentary should include essential information about the
documentary such as the title date, time and channel.

3. Voiceover
S Voiceovers are used in more radio trailers. Voiceovers
guides the listener through what is being portrayed in the
radio trailer. The voiceover will often connect to the
audience and make the listener feel like they are
personally involved.
S A voiceover also explains what the documentary is about,
informing the audience and trying to promote the
documentary. The radio trailer will set a mood for the
documentary and set the genre. This will be done through
the tone of voice, use of music and language used.

4. Music
S Music is often used in radio trailers. The music is used to
set the pace and atmosphere for the listener.
S Throughout my research, I have listened to many radio
trailers. One key point I have learnt is that I need to
ensure, if I decide to use music, that the narration can
still be heard.

5. Length
S All radio trailers vary but the average length is 30-40 seconds.
This is enough time for the listener to be informed of the
documentary, but it is not too long that information is given
away. From the radio trailer, the listener should want to watch
the programme.
S Vox pops and interviews are sometimes used that are taken
from the documentary. This portrays different opinions as well
as giving the listener an insight of what the documentary is
going to be about. The radio trailer should include extracts from
the documentary to engage the listener and persuade them to
watch the documentary.