By Holland Cooke
Consultant
I can’t claim to be objective, but I believe talk radio isn’t just different than music radio. It’s better.
Talk doesn’t suffer the fundamental interruption music radio does from commercials (and too many of ‘em). And talk is never on in the background…especially after President Joe Biden’s announcement.
And because listeners now participate in their various media, they expect to interact. Making them the show is an opportunity music radio just doesn’t enjoy…especially after Biden’s announcement.
People who don’t much talk politics sure are talking politics now. Yesterday I heard about Biden’s announcement – I should say overheard about it – on the beach, here on Block Island, where people come to get away from it all.
On a normal day (if we have those any more), AM/FM talk stations are playing defense. As social media demonstrate, dialogue is thriving. With-or-without radio, our listeners – our advertisers’ prospective customers – are talking-to-each-other. That’s where you come in. We will only continue to own the conversation if you, the host, lead it.
If you haven’t already, read a book Dave Ramsey recommended to me. It’s “Tribes: We Need You To Lead Us” by Seth Godin. You can find a gently used copy for a couple bucks on Amazon. He clarifies your opportunity in a way you will find profound, “a wide-angle shot.”
This week, some “close-ups.” Here are four proven techniques to make your phone ring, and make you sound popular, which advertisers notice.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn