Blog Archives - Page 14 of 23

With folks on the go to the park, the pool and the back yard, your website will see more traction during the summer months. It’s your welcoming summer porch, your home open to ministry.

Here are five fast (and inexpensive!) things you can do to make your digital home a welcoming place.

Pray for your Website and your Digital Ministry

Do you cover your website and digital ministry in prayer? This is an area for your ministry where you may have staffers as well as maybe some contractors who are not believers (yet!).

Make sure you have an opportunity for website visitors to “Listen Now” on everypage

Your live broadcast is still likely the heart of your ministry. But with folks on the go, invite website visitors to “Listen Now” on the very top of your home page and at least once on every other page or in your header and footer, depending on how your site is organized. Some media outlets will begin playing their live feed automatically when visitors come to their home page. Visitors can listen to the live feed while otherwise engaging with your site, enabling you to reach them in a more in-depth way. Also, as visitors leave your site, they may still leave the broadcast playing, further extending your ministry to them.

Make sure your links to program partners and other outside content “Opens in a New Window”

Websites are great for giving people access to additional information by adding Hyperlinks. One typical example is to have links on your program guide to the ministries you are broadcasting. While promoting our program partners and giving our listeners more information is helpful, we want to do that by opening a new website window rather than closing out of your website. This enables the visitor to easily return to your site and to continue to engage with your ministry.

Bring your Social Media into your website

Many broadcast ministries have very limited staff and time to keep their website presence fresh and interactive. One easy way to keep the site current is to leverage your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) which you are already populating. By integrating these accounts on your website, the latest content always appears and there even can be some two-way communication with your audience based on efforts your staff / volunteers already are performing. This also brings a regular presence of “story” into this part of your ministry, something as important for your website as for your on-air presence.

Regularly review how your site works on mobile devices

Over 56% of website visits are now happening over mobile devices. While this percentage may be a little lower for US-based Christian broadcast ministries, we still can see the importance of having your website working well for those using a smartphone or other device. There may be a little more investment here, but there are many “Mobile Responsive” tools and templates to get your site working well across all devices.

While you can’t share lemonade on your website (yet!), it is your home base for your Digital Ministry and a frequent summer presence. Paying heed will keep your listener coming back for more this summer.

Review our Digital Coaching Offering online or email chuck@finneymedia.com to learn more about our services in this important ministry area.

The June 2018 Finney Fast Five reports that in multiple markets across North America, Contemporary Christian Music Radio listeners say the top songs they want from you are songs by…

Chris Tomlin.

Maybe you’ve wondered about worship music. So let us say it clearly. Worship scores very well in music test after music test. And as for specific songs, Chris Tomlin resonates over and over. Six of the top ten. Three of the top five.

Worship is big with listeners, and Chris Tomlin leads that like no one else right now.

Today’s Big Question from Today’s Big Headline: Does my music rotation reflect this listener desire?

In our SEO Blog Part One we talked about laying the groundwork for an SEO revamp. The goal … get more people to visit your website and cause them to fall in love with your station.

We discussed what it takes to be noticed; in the same way that God pursues us, you should pursue potential listeners. The goal … that they will fall in love with your station, because they have been blessed by it.

We talked about making your website genuine and personal. You can’t eliminate the competition, but you can set yourself apart.

PART TWO – THE HEADLINE! There’s an art to creating copy that is both persuasive and discoverable by search engines. Understanding how algorithm signals are located is important in your “ranking”. Understanding what makes great copy is the key to attracting your listeners. Marrying the two … well, that’s a skill … especially when it comes to your headline. The most important SEO element, in all cases, is the headline.

So before you create an SEO optimized headline, ask yourself this question FIRST: “What do potential listeners want?” (Choose one)

1. 24-7 Commercial-Free Christian Radio. All Your Favorite Music, Worship and Hymns OR

2. 101.5 FM, The Sonlight – Colorado’s Number One Christian Music Station

Now ask this question SECOND: “What do potential listeners search for?” (Choose one)

1. 24-7 Commercial-Free Christian Radio. All Your Favorite Music, Worship and Hymns OR

2. 101.5 FM, The Sonlight – Colorado’s Number One Christian Music Station

Are you having an “Ah-ha” moment right now?

Let’s approach it from another angle. Pretend you’re a new Christian, looking for some good, clean music. Go ahead and type in the Google search bar, “Christian Radio”. Here are the top search engine optimized headers in a Colorado location:

Listen to …… FM – Music on ChristianRadio.com! Listen to Christian radio in Colorado from the top Christian radio stations. Listen To Great Christian Music. Tune Into…

Enjoy free access….

These headlines remind us that there’s always room to grow. Here’s a few pointers:

1. Avoid the Old School: Starting with the call to action doesn’t work. Never start a relationship off with a demand. People are conditioned to say no. Plus … the seeker is already committed to listening, otherwise they wouldn’t be searching for a Christian radio station.

2. Great & Awesome: The words “great” and “awesome” aren’t good enough for savvy folks online most of the day. Everything is great … we all know that. Pizza is great, my teacher is great, makeup is great and my dog is great. God is great.

3. Bland & FREE: Enjoy instant access to free …” This works online. Fitting “Instant access” and “free” plus “Christian music” and “radio” all in one header is excellent, algorithmically speaking. If the searcher is already a Christian, it works.

4. Personally & Directly: Speak personally and directly to the seeker. This is the headline that isn’t “telling you what to do”. This headline simply addresses the seeker with an informative, compassionate, full sentence statement. People are looking for something positive. People are looking for encouragement. People are looking for LOVE.

5. It’s a feeling: When the listener feels like they’re being “cared for” rather than “catered to”, and when they get a sense of integrity and personable interaction from the station, they stay. Keep this in mind as you compose the headline of your SEO content. And here’s the deal breaker … 50 – 80% more people will see your headline than will actually read your descriptive body. So give them a warm, heartfelt introduction!

How about these? Here are some ideas to light up your brainstorming:

Uplifting, Inspiring, Solid Christian Music. Free online music for free people.
Joyful, Inspiring, Christian Family radio. Get free online music streaming 24-7.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Think about it … how did God make Himself known to you? How did you feel when you were welcomed into the family of God? What continues to draw you to Him? The biblical answer is that He loved us first [1 John 4:19]. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance [Romans 2:4]. His favor is our desire. His beauty makes us stand in silence. His love … is better than life. **

Together we can share what we have already experienced—even in our SEO.

**From the song Kindness by Leslie Phillips

What’s on your mind?

Michael Stanier in his popular book The Coaching Habit suggests that questions, more than information, more than telling, more than directives, may take you further, faster and with more impact.

And according to A More Beautiful Question, Einstein, who began asking questions early and often, reckoned that if he had an hour to solve a problem and his life depended on it, he’d use 55 of those minutes making sure he was asking the right question.

Questions. Good ones can open up a conversation, take it to important places, find the long-term view, or move toward a powerful resolution.

And a question can keep a conversation open in someone’s heart all day long.

What questions rank at the top of this list? Here’s four to ponder.

Why does this matter—what is the root challenge/problem?
How can we make it bigger—or what if we don’t do anything?
What would the solution be if I were someone younger/older/richer/poorer?
If you say yes to this—to what will you say no?

Now, start your own collection…and discover for yourself what a difference an inquiring spirit brings to any conversation.

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

5 Fast Website Upgrades for the Summer

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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