We are all using the social networking sites, but how is it helping us, which ones are the most important and are we using them correctly? Sure we invite listeners to be our friend, post station information and send out messages. But, aren't we suppose to be doing that with our station web sites through member clubs and e-blast?
It's a debate that continues today and I'm not sure that there is an easy answer. Of course radio stations should be implementing social networking into their own sites, but they can't ignore the social networking sites that are well established and popular with listeners like Facebook and Twitter.
I know this post doesn't offer a definite answer, it is meant to primarily ignite thought on the subject.
I only hope every radio station is using social networking sites to do four basic things. Connecting, communicating, informing, and linking listeners to the stations' official site.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE ITS SPOTS?
I could not decide on a name for this post. "Can A Leopard Change Its Spots?" is just the first thing that came to mind.
My mind is wondering... our industry is facing a lot of changes and programming is adopting changes daily (and its hard), but is the sales department changing too? I mean changing the way it's selling radio?
The popular complaint about programming is the diminishing local programming, but where are the local ad dollars? The sales reps are still going after agency and technical buyers and stations have more national advertising dollars verses local. What? Businesses in our own community can't afford us or wont benefit from advertising with us?
I know that each media medium (TV, New Paper, Radio) has traditional advertisers, but its about time the sales department look for new advertisers and new streams of revenue. The old well is drying up.
My mind is wondering... our industry is facing a lot of changes and programming is adopting changes daily (and its hard), but is the sales department changing too? I mean changing the way it's selling radio?
The popular complaint about programming is the diminishing local programming, but where are the local ad dollars? The sales reps are still going after agency and technical buyers and stations have more national advertising dollars verses local. What? Businesses in our own community can't afford us or wont benefit from advertising with us?
I know that each media medium (TV, New Paper, Radio) has traditional advertisers, but its about time the sales department look for new advertisers and new streams of revenue. The old well is drying up.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
CHANGE
I finally figured out why people are afraid of change.
I like change and welcome it with open arms, but every time I present change in any form, it is mostly met with apprehensiveness.
Recently, the PD's in my cluster were asked about upgrading our music scheduling software from the DOS version of Selector to the windows version GSelecor or Music Master.
During the consideration, it suddenly hit me that I have spent at least 10 years learning the current DOS version of Selector and that I'm almost an expert on it. My first thought was that if we changed I would have to re-learn the new software... and I got a little concerned.
Now there were a few other reasons in the consideration like convertibility and ease of use, but not using a software I have spent the majority of my career using and mastering was actually a little sad for me.
Rest assure I quickly got a grip and my sadness turned into excitement. But now I think for the first time I really understand why people are afraid of change.
Lj
I like change and welcome it with open arms, but every time I present change in any form, it is mostly met with apprehensiveness.
Recently, the PD's in my cluster were asked about upgrading our music scheduling software from the DOS version of Selector to the windows version GSelecor or Music Master.
During the consideration, it suddenly hit me that I have spent at least 10 years learning the current DOS version of Selector and that I'm almost an expert on it. My first thought was that if we changed I would have to re-learn the new software... and I got a little concerned.
Now there were a few other reasons in the consideration like convertibility and ease of use, but not using a software I have spent the majority of my career using and mastering was actually a little sad for me.
Rest assure I quickly got a grip and my sadness turned into excitement. But now I think for the first time I really understand why people are afraid of change.
Lj
Sunday, March 1, 2009
AIR-CHECK
It is amazing to me how many bad air-checks I receive from talent looking for an on-air position. When I'm listening to an air-check I'm listening to the talent, but I am also listening to how well the air-check is put together. There are several ways to put together a good air-check and it should only include one thing... you.
The Program Director is listening to your air-check to hear how you sound, how you execute and to see if your swagga even fits his or her station. So why is your long ass intro, your personal drops and artists drops are on the air-check?
Delete all the extras, drops from your station in Texas is not a consideration for a job in Alabama.
Make your air-check no longer than three minutes, PD's are multi-tasking more than ever these day and barely have time to listen to that much air-check and if the PD wants more he'll ask.
Finally, when choosing breaks to put on your air-check, there are two ways that get my attention. First, a compilation of your best breaks from different shows and second, the best breaks from one show edited together chronologically. I prefer the later.
These are my thoughts on how to put together an air-check... and putting it together is just as important as the personality of the talent.
Lj
The Program Director is listening to your air-check to hear how you sound, how you execute and to see if your swagga even fits his or her station. So why is your long ass intro, your personal drops and artists drops are on the air-check?
Delete all the extras, drops from your station in Texas is not a consideration for a job in Alabama.
Make your air-check no longer than three minutes, PD's are multi-tasking more than ever these day and barely have time to listen to that much air-check and if the PD wants more he'll ask.
Finally, when choosing breaks to put on your air-check, there are two ways that get my attention. First, a compilation of your best breaks from different shows and second, the best breaks from one show edited together chronologically. I prefer the later.
These are my thoughts on how to put together an air-check... and putting it together is just as important as the personality of the talent.
Lj
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