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It’s said that Churchill read 5,000 books in his lifetime. Few would dispute that he was a gifted speaker. Most would suggest that there is a direct link between the content he continuously absorbed and his output. He’s a walking lesson for each of us as we prepare to talk, to minister, to connect on a near-daily basis—on our morning show or one on one encouraging a team member.

Here’s four practical ways you can begin today.

Save Key Website to Favorites. Radio show prep is easier than it has ever been, mostly due to online search being so very easy. There is powerful connective material to be found on these four sites, to get you started. Inspiremore.com sunnyskyz.com marcandangel.com huffintonpost.com/good-news

Keep track of others you find, and you’ll have an endless supply!

Ask Questions. Inspiration may not always flow – you may have to go after it. A few suggestions on questions to keep front of mind: What do surveys of listeners say? Coming soon: Finney Media Why Listen?® has ideas! What are your listeners talking about on social media? What are the books people are reading in Christian reading? See the Finney Fast Five on favorite books.

Outlining. No, not the kind we did in elementary school. But bullet points. Or circles of ideas. What exactly is it that your program or station wants to communicate? What do you want your listeners to take away from the 30-second break between songs? Listing these goals will help you focus and prioritize what airs and what doesn’t. A handy digital or paper journal is a personal treasure!

Personal Experience. Finally, personal experience ranks high as a great inspiration to your listeners. Never underestimate the power of stories – Jesus used them all the time, and the world has never been the same. Real life happens every week. Your struggle to forgive your sister, your joy at a recent wedding, and your grandchild’s efforts to speak clearly all provide powerful connective material.

How’s your inspiration quota? Take five and try one of these ideas this next week. We think you’ll be rewarded, and so will your listeners.

The May 2018 Finney Fast Five reports that in multiple markets across North America, Contemporary Christian Music Radio listeners say the top thing they want from you is this:

Be encouraging.

Yeah, you’ve heard it before. But let us repeat. She glanced at today’s news headline about something violent in a nearby town, saw the social media about an unexpected death, heard from an angry teen and then had a bit of a fight with her husband. Then her boss called unhappy about a report.

She wants you to remind her that God is in the details, and he cares for her. He knows what the flowers on the hillside are wearing, and he cares for her minute by minute today. She wants to feel a sense of peace as the truth sinks into her mind and soul. Tell her.

“You are loved today by God. You are so important to Him. He knows the details of your life, just like he knows the number of birds in your yard. And just like He knows the lilies in the field, He knows how beautiful you are today!”

May’s edition reports encouragement as number one—and Finney Media’s Why Listen?®2016 said this was a top rated item, too.

Today’s Big Question from Today’s Big Headline: Am I and every member of my team onboard?

SEO Brainstorming for the Birds

“People have little interest in purchasing a bed. What they want is a good night’s sleep.” ~Gregory Ciotti, Helpscout

Want more clicks to your website? Want to attract more listeners who will love your station? Well, it’s springtime. Love is in the air. Birds are everywhere, and they can teach us how it’s done. So let’s travel to Kenya and visit the male Widow Bird.

Male Widow Birds have a hard time getting noticed by females, because they dwell in very tall-growing grasslands. In order to attract their mates they have to jump very high, clear the tall grass, and sing as loud as they can. The higher they jump, the louder they sing, the more likely they’ll get a date. In order to create a good springboard for leaping, they first have to trample down a large area of tall grass. They have to be the best, because female birds are picky, and there are many suitors to choose from. They look for males with the strongest traits, so that they can strengthen the next generation.

Christian listeners are selective on the web, too. They’re looking for the strongest traits. Determined hearts. A clear spiritual voice. Integrity, and a solid foundation. They want to have strong, lifelong connection with your radio station. But how will they find you if you’re hidden in the tall, crowded grasses of Christian Website Radio Land?

#1 TRAMPLE THE GRASS, SPRING INTO ACTION! Step One: You’ve got to renew your SEO content. But before you do, you have to create a springboard by clearing the ground around you. Have you created a niche, or are you just another station? Have you developed a brand that sets you apart from the rest? Have you made your web presence genuine and personal, or are your sites salesy and cold? You can’t eliminate the competition, but you can set yourself apart.

#2 JUMP HIGHER, SING LOUDER Let’s just say your station’s mission is to offer hope to a lost and dying world. Does your home page offer hope to a lost and dying new visitor? Or is it all about the station, events and marketing? If your station offers inspirational music, your homepage should be more inspiring than any other station’s. If your teach-and-talk is Christ-centered and motivating, your emails should match that brand more than anyone else’s. Be honest. Be brutal. Your SEO’s should always match the intensity, earnestness, strength, love, personality and focus of your station. Aim to be better defined, bolder and more personable than any other.

#3 THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST People want the end result NOW. They didn’t visit your website to sign up for a newsletter. They visited you hoping to feel the love. They want to love you now, they want a reason to stay now. They want to connect with you, resonate with you and to be drawn to you in such a way that they can’t say no. They clicked … that means they’re looking. But not for long.

Welcome to the plight of the male bird. The female bird will watch your song and dance, but only for a few seconds. If it isn’t promising enough, she’s gone. So give her the desires of her heart first. Put your best forward. KEY INFORMATION almost always connects. COMMON GROUND almost always does, too. A rundown of your station’s history … will not.

#4 PREPARE TO DISPLAY THAT PLUMMAGE Gears turning? Ready to brainstorm? There’s a lot to think about. Now … please write down your ideas while they’re still fresh and exciting.

Remember that we are just an email or phone call away if you need help digital coaching. We’d love to be a part of your transformation process and subsequent success.

A public failure. Who hasn’t that happened to? A friend shared with us how she had hit “send” a while back only to discover that the targeted message had gone to an external database, not the intended target.

Or, there is the presentation that was jumbled, presented poorly—due to oversleeping, arriving late and not having a chance to get set up.

And then there was the dead air—while you were on coffee break.

It’s happened to us all, with some mistakes more public and widely impactful than others—but all embarrassing and potentially reputation or even job killing.

What’s a person to do? There’s a few life rules that help with recovery. And may even turn a situation into something positive and relationship building. (What we pray for!)

Rule #1. Assess the damage. Before rushing off to cry, wail or do something rash to fix the problem, take a deep breath and calmly assess the real extent of the problem. Who was impacted, really? How much of this audience needs a response, and how quickly?

Rule #2. Own the mess. Once you know the impact, let the people to whom you are accountable know. Let the “buck stop here” with you. Don’t shift blame. (Don’t even think about it.)

Rule #3. Investigate the cause and fix the problem. If there’s something that needs fixing, promise to find out and then fix it. Saying you will—and doing nothing is a recipe for losing your reputation and who knows what else.

Rule #4. Make any adjustments as personal and relational as possible. Depending on the size and scope of the problem, do what can be done in person, by phone or with the level of personal care that is practical.

Rule #5. When appropriate, provide a “sorry” gift. When something has happened in a smaller circle, an actual gift may demonstrate your sincerity—if the first four rules have been followed.

So, did my friend find out that she had not actually sent to the wrong group? No. She had to script a message that went out and publicly acknowledged the matter. She lost some sleep but has a continued great relationship with her boss.

As to other public mess ups, the conclusion of book is still to be written. And your story? With these rules in mind, yours can have a happier ending.

Change. It is a constant drumbeat. This includes what your reader, viewer and listener expect as “the new basic”. The same “Apps” that used to live only on your smartphone are now also expected for use on your tablet, reader, your television and, yes, in your car.

That’s why asking about an app is a good idea. Here’s three reasons to consider having one.

1.There’s wide availability for the tidal wave of content and you want to be there for her.

With the tidal wave of media content available to our listener, viewer, reader, wherever they are, apps provide the opportunity for us to remain a preferred channel. With TV now available on your phone, if you want attention, you’ll be there too. As people move from tuning a dial to touching an icon, you’ll want to be present for each person to make a God ordained choice of what content they will consume.

Apps provide the ability to go more deeply with each person.

Apps provide a significant ability to ‘go deeper’ with our listener, viewer, reader. Apps provide a platform for interactively engaging with our audience. “Push Notifications” can enable us to remain ‘top of mind’ with an audience member amid the noise of the day. These personalized notifications can help that mom ‘keep on track’ with their good intentions to focus on God every day. Calls to listen, to pray and to give can nudge her along is a busy day, motivating and easily enabling her to take the steps she wants to draw nearer to God.

You can personalize as you become her major source for daily input.

Personalization can go even further as she looks to your station or ministry as the source for quality content to deepen her walk, in the specific way God is calling her. Some folks invite listeners or viewers to the station to download their App and then choose to consume content entirely music or entirely teaching in nature, based on their needs at that moment.

In general, Apps provide her access to all the great assets of your ministry, whenever any particular discussion or circumstance creates a need in a particular moment.

So what do you do about it?

If you are feeling the tug to move forward in taking your station or program into the future, but are overwhelmed by the task, take heart. There are ways forward that do not involve large technology investment or hiring a large new staff. What content you put in this channel is far more important than having all the latest features. Want to go further? So do we. Read more about our Digital Services.

Summer Time is Radio Time

Planning for a summer promotion? Here’s eleven ideas you can add to your box of ideas for creating new and engaging listener experiences.

But first, a couple of reminders.

With the onset of summer, listeners adopt a different mindset. They’re likely to be hot, sweaty … maybe more relaxed. Schedules have changed. The pace has changed. Activities are distinctly different. Summer audiences are likely to be more mobile. Travelling, camping, hunting, out of town listening on your app, all increase in summer.

While winter affords broadcast media a more captive, cuddly audience … summer sets the captives free. TV shows typically won’t launch new episodes in the summer. Summertime is radio time. As the previously home-bound winter prisoners venture out into a warmer world, radio accompanies them with song, inspiration, and the evergreen plethora of summertime radio promotional activities.

Sunny time is the perfect time for a radio station to get to know its listeners even better and make a ton of new friends. Seize the opportunity. If you plan in advance and execute rightly, your station won’t ever have to mention the words, “Summer Slump”.

SLAM DUNK SUMMER IDEAS:

You can and should start planning your summer promo right now, as parents begin to set up summer plans for their out-of-school kids. Here’s a list of fun, effective (slightly different) ideas for radio stations of every size and budget:

Rummage Sale: Who doesn’t love a gigantic yard sale? Invite listeners to register and set up a super huge rummage sale! All proceeds will go to a local charity. Promote the sale citywide. A couple of balloon artists, face painters and a jumping castle might be just enough to attract younger families. Everybody wins! Don’t forget to record soundbites or if you can afford it, broadcast live from the event. Be sure to promote it on the “mom’s sale” type social media pages.

Mountains and Valleys Hike: Parts of your audiences would love the opportunity to bond with your morning show team on a hike and picnic! This could be in the form of a contest, ticketed event or a free for all. Offer branded hats, water bottles, Frisbees hacky sacks and sweat towels. Broadcast live to give your fans an added thrill. Make sure and keep track of the event on social media.

Fundraisers for other Organizations: The possibilities are endless when radio stations forgo raising money for themselves and raise money for local charity instead. By partnering with other non-profit organizations, you have the opportunity to network with untapped sponsors while gaining possibly an entire new fan base.

Random Acts of Coolness: Surprise local businesses, first responders, homeless park dwellers and summer camp attendees with Popsicle treats, ice cold drinks, free drink holders, ice cream and free beverages.

Christian Movie Night: Families and local churches will appreciate the fellowship opportunity when your station hosts a free movie night. Partner with a local popcorn sponsor or other food vendor. You can even create a series by bringing this event to different churches and venues in the area.

Local library activities: Libraries already have activities in place for families and students in the summer. You can double their fun by getting in the game with a live broadcast. You may even consider hosting your own class about Audio Editing, “Create Your Own Radio Ad” or Voice Acting!

Summer Holidays: Parents of young children love events that teach their kiddos about history. For Memorial Day and Independence Day, partner with local acting groups from around the area (or incorporate your own on-air staff) and host a live enactment of a historical presentation.

Farmers Market: The sale of healthy, organic, locally grown foods is on the rise. Why not set up a booth during your local Farmer’s Market and share space with some local food producers? Or if that’s not possible, you can actually sponsor a Farmer’s Market. Some Farmer’s Markets feature music, and sponsoring one may be a great way to get your station heard.

Branded Frisbee or Hacky Sack: Got a Frisbee Golf Park in your area? Got a youth group? Need we say more?

Pre-Movie Slides: People flock to movies in the summer. Many theatres feature pre-show slides, some of which are reserved for local businesses to purchase. This is a perfect way to introduce your radio station to a brand new audience.

More text-in Promotions: Make sure to include text-in and social media check-ins as part of your promotional event. Remember, your audience is on-the-go this summer! Reward your listeners for checking in or for sharing a photo of their experience at your event.

TURN UP THE HEAT, DON’T BURN DOWN THE HOUSE:

As you plan your summer promotion, remember that your goal is to inspire and encourage your audience into attending your event … not to interfere or interrupt what they’ve already got planned. Your summer tactics should match their personality. Like a family friend, your event should be a welcome, non-invasive addition to their summer. It should be something they look forward to. Something that captures their imagination and benefits their well-being. Something that offers a nice cool refuge from the heat. Most importantly, your event should have the over-arching goal of drawing them closer to the “Son”, and drawing them into fellowship with your radio station.

Have an amazing summer. Go out and make some friends.

ONLINE REFERENCES

byrnesmedia.com

morebusiness.com

vanwagneraerial.com

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WRITER’S BLOCK VS. WRITER’S BLAH Writer’s Block has an evil twin called Writer’s Blah. Neither of them are very pleasant, quite frankly. If you find yourself sitting at your desk, head resting on your hands so that your cheeks have turned into stretchy jowls, your eyes at half-mast … a disgusted, bored expression on your face … well, you probably have Writer’s Blah. Not from lack of ideas, but from overload.

Writer’s Blah is when our thoughts are too busy, and maybe too grandiose. We’re so distracted and bogged down that we can’t propel a single idea into action. It’s like losing your phone. You can hear it ringing, but it’s buried under so much clutter that you have absolutely no idea where it’s coming from or how to answer it.

Instead of inspired you are immobile.
Instead of motivated you are sluggish.

The solution is in the calendar. It’s time for Spring Cleaning.

SPRING CLEANING YOUR CREATIVE BACKLOG
Just like dirty dishes, unfiled papers and unpaid bills, our minds can get buried in a backlog of unattended tasks and ideas. This often happens right after the winter holidays, when the excitement of the season has passed. Gone are the Christmas lights and colorful decorations, leaving us in a somewhat uninspiring, dull atmosphere. And that’s when the unattended tasks show up. It’s “back to reality” … with a sigh.

But then, a ray of hope. Springtime tiptoes in, accompanied by motivation. The desire to get one’s house in order. Some people have the insatiable desire to clean. So if in the spring you find yourself with Writer’s Blah, it’s not the end of the world. It just means that it’s time to purge that backlog of ideas and allow fresh new ones to flow. Remember … new blooms can’t happen unless the dead leaves fall off the tree.

THE IDEA EXAMPLE

For example, let’s say you have an idea for a parenting book. It’s been on the backburner for years. Empty that old file and start new. Get a new folder, put this year’s date on it, and begin to brainstorm.

Instead of a book, let’s chop it into bite-sized pieces that both you and your listeners will appreciate. Or consider a parenting podcast. Each chapter of the book can be revamped into 10 minute segments … recorded and uploaded easily. Whoa….with a fresh approach, inspiration is coming over you in waves of new possibilities.

SPRING FEVER
We hope this post has given you a sudden case of Spring Fever! The Bible talks about singing a new song to the Lord. About shedding old wineskin for the new. About doing things for the Lord with skill … decently and in order. Let’s “spring” into action together!

Want more specifics on putting the pen to paper, the keyboard to use? See our post with Seven Tips for Audio Writing.

So something happens, or is going on, that everyone is talking about and aware of. A Presidential election. The Olympics. The death of Billy Graham.

So how do we talk about those things in a Christian radio format? Do we talk about winners and losers, and the details of a life and funeral?

Well, we start with – and stick with – who we are and why our format is here.

Our format is about the things that are most meaningful to people. Not facts and information and news. Not scores. Not entertainment. We can need and enjoy those things, but for us those things are secondary.

In this format, we know we’re a family. A family with a common faith. A family of believers. From that faith we share a strong set of common values – love, grace, second chances, redemption, forgiveness, a God named Jesus.

We see the world not as filled with information, but as filled with things that can connect us to each other and God.

The facts and information matter, but the MEANING of the facts and information matters more.

So, when a news event occurs that everyone is aware of and talking about, we can simply ask:

Why does this matter? What does this really mean? What part of this thing is meaningful to US with our shared perspective and values? Where is the hope?

When Billy Graham dies, these simple questions don’t lead to “Pastor to Presidents” or “He spoke to millions around the world.” Sure we mention those things. But that’s not what his life and death MEAN.

With a story like Billy Graham, these simple questions lead to:

The family of believers has suffered a loss. It’s as if our patriarch – as much as we can have an earthly one – has died.

Because of what we value, we dwell on what kind of man he was.

We dwell on the IMPACT of his life, not the facts.

We marvel and are inspired by what God can do through one person.

We share our own stories – and our listeners’ stories – about people we know who show us what a well-lived life looks like. We tell THEIR story, inspired by Billy Graham’s story, and we tie it in with his life and passing.

We ask, “Who else do you know who God is using to make a meaningful difference with others? Would you share their story?” “Who do you know who has a well-lived life?”

We let those stories inspire more stories, and our radio stations sound unlike any other media – we sound like real life.

No matter who you are or what you believe, everyone is drawn to the idea of grace and second chances and forgiveness and hope. And the idea that one well-lived life can make a difference.

So when the next current event happens and you know it’s on everyone’s mind, and you want to have a meaningful way to talk about it that is worthy of your station and listeners, ask:

“Why does this matter?”

“What does this really mean?”

“What part of this thing is meaningful to us with our shared perspective and values? Which shared values are in this?”

“Where is the hope?”

Answer those questions with others at your station and put what you learn on the air. Your show or your station will sound unlike any other media – you’ll sound like what people really care about.

Note: Friday March 2nd, Carol, Keith and Chuck presented the following concepts at the Digital Summit in Nashville, part of NRB’s convention. Here’s Jan’s summary.

We talk about our digital space a lot. Apps, website, Facebook ads, Instagram and Twitter. Numbers, today’s feed, time of day. But how much of our conversation focuses on what to include as content and what to skip? Your reader/listener/viewer has bazillions of choices and about 10 seconds of patience. Yes, that’s right. Ten seconds and she’ll make a decision.

That’s why we believe there are three foundational secrets to programming for digital. If you’ll follow these three big truths, you’ll have increasing spiritual impact.

Secret #1 Interesting and relational for HER

Your content must be interesting to her, and must be relational. Yes, to her, not necessarily to you. We’ve discovered through multiple surveys that Christian radio listeners find two topics most interesting. They crave encouraging devotional thoughts and a “word” from Scripture that may encourage through the day. We’ve also seen that Facebook is her place to relax—perhaps for just a minute or so, in the windows of her day. Real pictures relate and can create an ongoing relationship. She is likely already your listener—and this is your chance to pull her close. This desire to relate is so much bigger than traffic, weather, pop culture or today’s headline. It’s not a choice—it’s a friendship!

Secret #2 Consumable Length

The length of what you present, whether in video, print or audio must fit her life. She has a busy, distracted life, and when you take too long—or not long enough—you either don’t get viewed or you annoy and are quickly skipped over. Here’s where our ten seconds comes up again. You’ve got ten seconds to grab and hold. And more than that, one she looks into your content, about a third are gone by 30 seconds. Let findable and fascinating become your key goals to conquer the ten second rule!

Secret #3 Understandable

What is obvious and understandable to her counts. Again, not what is obvious to you as you read your latest favorite theological release. We know through Gallup’s research that she may not know specific theological terminology—and may not grasp “insider” words like “exhort”. (Wait, is that exert? Or maybe extort?) So be Biblical, but be clear!

With these three basic but deep secrets, you’ll expand your impact—bringing people closer to Jesus. And after all, that’s what it’s all about.

Four Ways to Amazing Ideas

Be encouraging.

Today’s Big Question from Today’s Big Headline: Am I and every member of my team onboard?

Summer Time is Radio Time

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