Over the years I’ve learned that there are basically three different levels of discussions that happen about programming.
There are conversations about being competent. Basic stuff like having real people (even if voice-tracked) offering companionship in your listener’s life RIGHT HERE and RIGHT NOW.
And there are conversations about incremental improvements. Move this widget here, etc.
But those two topics are not necessarily transformative.
Continue readingMaster Marketing gurus Al Ries and Jack Trout say that “every race becomes a two-horse race.” McDonald’s versus Burger King, for instance. Coke versus Pepsi in the Cola wars. Rawlings and Spalding instantly come to mind if you want a baseball glove. Chocolate versus Vanilla. You get the idea.
And… FOX news! (Seriously!)
Have you seen FOX News’ latest image campaign? To me it’s reminiscent of ESPN’s classic campaign awhile back where famous athletes in uniform appeared in ordinary situations in the ESPN headquarters – in the break room, walking through a hallway, in the parking lot.
In other words, making celebrities (Aaron Judge, Payton Manning, Derek Jeter) ordinary, and making ordinary people (the ESPN anchors) celebrities.
Continue readingSome people say that 99% of the tips I write are for MusicRadio stations. That’s true, but I’ve worked with a LOT of Talk stations, too, and I can’t even count how many individual Talk Radio air talents.
Two of my main “rules” are actually the same as in MusicRadio. Talk is just a different format, in terms of how much time you have to talk.
But… Continue reading
It’s the most important question we can ask. Or better, it’s the most important question we can ANSWER.
Our format is foundationally based on values. It attracts people that share those values. Our most loyal listeners and donors and even staff are those that share those values the deepest.
That’s our WHY!
Continue readingMy smart friend and associate John Frost posted a tip recently titled “What do we want them to say?” using baseball as an example.
Specifically, the opening of Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. The question was “What do we want fans to say when they are leaving the ballpark?
I’m fixin’ to do some fuzzy math so hang on.
It recently dawned on me that I see more bumper stickers for churches than I do for radio stations. And where I live would hardly be considered the Bible belt.
Continue readingThis is a recurring theme that I’ve dealt with before, but it seems to be metastasizing…again. It’s this thing; this all too typical “tease”….
“Listen up – this is something you’ll want to hear.”
No. I already don’t want to hear it.
This week I was a part of a conversation that had nothing to do with radio. Until I realized that it did.
For 790 weeks (that’s 15+ years for those of you keeping track), I’ve been churning out these Frost Advisories on my nifty laptop with the hope that they may inspire you to do better radio. Maybe even transformational radio. Golly, maybe even to impact your listeners’ lives.
Continue readingAfter you get to a certain stage in your career where you’re confident in what you’re doing, you have a certain “flavor” that you bring to the show – and it’s working; you’re successful – how you get even better is when you show more dimensions.
