Comments on The R I B Cage: Social What?

That's great Mo! Now imagine being part of their "...

2008-04-19T14:02:00.000-04:00

That's great Mo! Now imagine being part of their "Social Network", and being able to be a part of their world even when they are not listening to the radio. Give a "shout out" when they are not listening and have them "hear" you! Give them a reason to turn the radio back on, and listen to YOU, not the competition.

The fact remains listenership is declining. We as an industry need to understand the needs of our audiences. "Shout outs" are great, in that "channel". There are multiple channels now to reach th listener.

The next generation isn't impressed with "shout outs" (obviously some are, but as has been mentioned, that audience is shrinking). They are more impressed with "sharing". That means letting them be a part of the station, not just the listener. Have you looked at how many people have literally thousands of "friends" in their "Social Networks"? Look up Dane Cook on MySpace. Tens of thousands of fans, and he can connect to each one, easily.

This is a concept that many seasoned programmers will just not understand because they won't think out-of-the-box. It's easier to blame other factors for the decline in listenership than to admit you don't know what to do next.

Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging. Part Two of this topic is coming up.

Thanks for your comments!

I would have to say that I still attract & kee...

2008-04-19T13:43:00.000-04:00

I would have to say that I still attract & keep more listeners, especially after I give shout-outs. I just subbed a radio show yesterday & after my 1st shout-out to a caller & song request fulfillment, I had a string of calls after that for more requests, positive comments, & whatnot. It was a chain reaction. Ladies, fellas, even people in their 30's & 40's, drunk college kids, you name it. I got 'em.

People still love to hear their names & have their song requests instantly fulfilled on FM terrestrial radio. I was pretty busy for the 2 hours I was on because of it. That's what commercial radio is missing today.

That's my take. I am an old school DJ / Air Personality who uses CD's & vinyl, NEVER a selector software or even Rane Serato.
- DJ Mo
www.djmoradio.com

Thanks for the posts. ac276, if you can find a tie...

2008-04-18T23:56:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the posts. ac276, if you can find a tie into your listeners life, such as sending parenting tips, arts & crafts, activities to do with the kids, then I think the Social Networking will work. Just go to iVillage.com! Women love socializing. If you can give them more than "who sang what" or "this song topped the chart" type content, and discuss what matters to them, WITH them, not at them, then you have a winning successful formula.

Thanks again for your thoughts! I hope this helps.

I agree. Some very good ideas presented in this ar...

2008-04-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

I agree. Some very good ideas presented in this article. The only part I would disagree with would be the 35-54 demo. I don't think it necessarily applies to this demo. Particularly WOMEN 35-54. I work at an AC station and with the lifestyle, I just don't think it's viable. I love the idea of being able to post the status of where your station is, even without them actually listening to the station. I just don't think busy moms are really in tune with that kind of stuff nor do they have time for it. But there are so many other demos that this would really connect with.

I've not seen insight like that before. Great pers...

2008-04-18T16:39:00.000-04:00

I've not seen insight like that before. Great perspective on the modern Internet dynamic and radio. -Jim R.