Taking inspiration from one of the Beatles’ classic hits, Bob Quick explains how thanks to social media, radio needs to be on-call “eight days a week.” Quick notes that radio stations and their DJs should be updating their social media 24/7, but also suggest making sure your online content matches your on-air persona.
By Bob Quick, Quick Radio Consulting
Bob Quick
The Beatles were ahead of their time.
Go ahead, say it together……DUH, Bob.
Musically…obvious.
Using TV as a springboard to fame…yes.
Multi-channel, multi-media success in recordings, TV, radio, books, movies, magazines, merchandise…everything they touched was loved and consumed by their fans.
They may have been singing about the love a beautiful girl in the song Eight Days A Week, but it’s a great way to look at your place in your listeners lives in the new media landscape of 2012.
“Ooh i need your love babe,
Guess you know it’s true.
Hope you need my love babe,
Just like i need you.
Hold me, love me, hold me, love me.
Ain’t got nothin’ but love babe,
Eight days a week”
As a content provider, your biggest fans demand “love” from you Eight Days A Week. That means anytime you even think of something that may be amusing to your fans you MUST tweet, Facebook, blog and/or Pintrest it. There is no off time anymore and it has never been easier to be in touch with your fans and include them in your lives.
We’re a 24/7, connected society now.
Even topics or situations you could never broach on-air because of time constraints, mature content or things that were just deemed too personal in the past. Just remember when using this power, that I never had as an on-air personality, you must be true to the character you portray on the radio. Especially if it isn’t quite in alignment with your own persona.
Too many tweets, Facebook status updates, blogs or Pintrest pins that do not fit your on-air persona, you will drive a wedge between you and even your most loyal fans. The one directive I have always given air talent is that their number one job is to draw the listener in, building a relationship with them.
But be careful. The internet is the wild, wild west.
No FCC control. No censorship, for the most part. No filter.
You HAVE to be the filter.
Now that’s a big responsibility, but you can handle it. After all, the FCC, your GM and your Mom have made you filter yourself your entire career. You have an advantage compared to the great unwashed who have this power with little or no training to handle it.
You’ve had PD’s, GM’s, even owners that have honed your ability to be a personality without harming the brand you represent. A blogger in the basement has never had that kind of training.
You should use it. Everyday. 24/7.
Your fans need your “love”, just like you “need” theirs.Bob Quick is Chief Consulting Officer at Quick Radio Consulting. He specializes in medium and small market stations, mentoring future top 10 market PD’s. He can be reached at (706) 358-9103 or at bob@quickradioconsulting.com.
