HR Communication Lesson: What DJ Whoo Kid Teaches Us About Getting Our Message Across

You’re looking at a modern communication professional. Bet that’s not what you thought when you first saw this picture of DJ Whoo Kid from Wired 12|2006. He’s the face of modern communication, and when I read Asami Novak’s short interview titled A Mix and Mingle with DJ Whoo Kid, I was struck by how much we can learn about HR communication from this “master of the mixtape.” [I've cut in Novak's interview with a few snips.]

1) Think snort and sweet: “Your fan base has a short attention span,” says Kid, who edits tracks down to two minutes. “Treat your mix like it’s cocaine ‚Äì go with quick blasts of songs.” [snip]

2) Playlist over party shuffle: The most common rookie mistake, according to Kid, is sloppy sequencing. “Figure out a theme and stick with it,” he says. “You can’t have a crazy fast track, then a slow one.” [snip]

3) Know your audience: Kid’s mixes feature hip-hop crowdpleasers and unknown MCs. Standard rule: If you have to explain more than twice who a band is and why it matters, your CD will end up a shiny coaster.

4) Follow the 24-hour rule: “You’re not making an album,” Kid says. “A good mixtape should take only a day to make.” In other words, don’t overthink it.

5) Be prolific: Instead of a four-disc year-end box set, hand out mixtapes several times a year. “If you don’t, people lose interest,” Kid says, and they’ll move on to the next up-and-comer, like, say, your Uncle Steve.

There are books galore about “communication strategy,” but who needs to read a whole book? I mean, who really reads those things anyway? Sure, there are good ideas, but most of them boil down to what DJ Whoo Kid says here. “Snort and sweet.” (I’m already bugged that I’m writing so long…the point was made a while ago). Write fast. Stick with a theme. Know your audience. Don’t overthink your HR communication. And be prolific. How many times have we heard that employees want more communication? Give it to them. And do yourself a favor: listen to DJ Whoo Kid.

About the Author

Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

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