Value of Internet Radio Part 2: Archives/Podcasts

Posted: June 30, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: BENEFITS | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In my previous entry, I alluded to the process of “Archiving” or “Podcasts” as a great benefit to Internet radio.

Think of this “TiVoing” on the Internet.  Most people record their favorite television shows because we want the convenience of watching them when we want to.  We are not always available to watch them at their regularly scheduled time.  We may work late, have a family obligation, fall asleep early, homework to do with the kids, etc. But we can’t miss the latest episode of “SURVIVOR”!  So we record it and watch it at a later time when WE are ready.

Archives and podcasts allow for the same feature when it comes to Internet radio.  My show, Vegas Unwrapped airs every Wednesday night from 7-9PM PST on www.vegasunwrapped.net (CHEAP PLUG!).  According to our demographics, 70% of our listenership comes via our archives.  With our busy lives, we look for convenience in everything we do.  It’s also nice to have a show based out of Las Vegas. Las Vegas is one of those places that people visit every year more than any other place in the world.  This is huge because whether it is a traveler, families looking to move here or locals who want to know what’s happening in Las Vegas, people search online for news like this. The advertisers on Vegas Unwrapped love this!

The advertising spots we play during our show stay embedded in the archives/podcasts.  It’s getting more bang for the buck.  Our advertising packages are based on LIVE airings during our shows each week. But because of the archives, they are getting more exposure to the audience.  It’s like getting a bunch of free runs of their ads!  And who doesn’t like things for free!  Live terrestrial radio shows and television spots can’t guarantee that!  Once the commercials go out live while the show is being viewed, they are gone forever.  Personally, when I watch a television show that I recorded, I fast forward through the 5 minutes of commercials.  On our show, we take only a 2 minute break every 15-20 minutes. There isn’t enough time to miss anything.

So if you are looking for convenience, flexibility and better value for your advertising dollars, think Internet radio and where you will attract the largest audience to hear your message.

Until next time…..

Value of Internet Radio Part 1

Posted: June 28, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: BENEFITS | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

 

One of the things I have noticed as I talk to people about Vegas Unwrapped is that the concept of “internet radio” is relatively new to many people.

I find this a little surprising given the advance of technology.  However, it is the concept of “listening” to radio on the computer that seems to confuse people.  We spend so much on a computer like device, that the transition to be entertained on the Internet should be easy.

My next couple of posts will consist of specific benefits that using Internet radio for your marketing and advertising can bring to your business.

Let’s start off by mentioning good ‘ol “terrestrial radio” or as we commonly know it as your “AM or FM” signals.  Traditionally most of the terrestrial stations serviced the listening area of however far their signal could be heard.  Depending upon the “wattage” of the station and in some rural areas, the clearness of the atmosphere, usually determined how far-reaching a station could be heard.  I did a sports show on a local AM station here in Las Vegas that was designed to be heard in the local Las Vegas market.  However, there were many shows when we would receive calls from listeners as far away as California.  Our show aired at 10PM PST so airwaves had less of an issue traveling at night and getting past the mountains.

Internet radio doesn’t have this issue.  With a simple Internet connection and a website to “stream” from, anybody from anywhere can listen to a broadcast.  Look at the convenience of access to the Internet.  Cars are now being manufactured with Internet chips right in the dashboard.  Our cell phones make it easier to access on demand entertainment form the Internet.

I will give it up to the terrestrial stations for realizing that Internet radio is a huge competitor.  Many of them now offer “live streaming” of some of their shows so they can heard over the Internet.  However, they are still subject to the regular FCC regulations about what is being aired.  As of right now, there are no such regulations for shows actually hosted on the Internet.  Although the stations have started to stream their content, many of them do not offer an important feature called “podcast or archive”.  I will spend more time on this in a future post.

It is my opinion that with the continued technological advances and more conveniences that are available on the Internet, terrestrial radio will be very different in the years to come.  Where will you be when that happens?

Until next time……

 

 

Show Preparation

Posted: June 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: EXPERIENCE | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today is a Wednesday and I am about 3 hours away from going live on the air.  My final ritual prior to the show includes last-minute social media advertising and hopefully a 1-hour nap!

I do 3 hours of radio tonight. The first 2 is on the flagship show, Vegas Unwrapped. Immediately after, we go live with A House Party Tonight with Don Hill from The Treniers.  It sounds easy to do but you still need stamina.  I hope to be on the air 5 days a week someday and I am sure that routine will help build the stamina.

What about the rest of the time to prepare?  Quite frankly I prepare for the next week’s shows as soon as I get off the air from the current week’s shows.  I start thinking about what guests would be interesting to have on the show that the audience would like?  I observe what is going on around me in terms of local and national news and events.  Vegas Unwrapped is a show designed to “unwrap” Las Vegas and share what else goes on here besides casinos and The Strip.  It is what has been termed an “info-tainment” show.  My on-air partner and I have fun and deliver the information in an entertaining way.  A House Party Tonight is closer tot he more traditional “interview” format where questions are asked and answered by Don Hill and his guests. As a matter of fact, Don’s guest tonight is longtime comedian Nelson Scardelli, a favorite of my radio partner and myself.

There are some segments on our show that are ad-libbed and off the cuff.  At times this is the best radio we do.  It’s a never-ending cycle when getting ready to go on the air.

I have been on the radio, both terrestrial and Internet, for almost 6 years.  I have listened to the podcast of every show that I have done in order to hear the show from the “listener’s” perspective.  When doing the show, it is like an out-of-body experience so it is hard to judge how the show was delivered until I hear it myself.

This is a very effective tool not only for myself but also for my partner, engineer and anyone else involved in the show.

Continuity is key too. I have never missed a show unless I was out-of-town on business or vacation. Although with today’s technology, it’s hard to fully miss a show with the aid of Skype or Google+ and a cell phone!  🙂

This reminds me of the old joke about how do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice!  I want to sit in the press box of Yankee Stadium someday and broadcast at least a half of inning of the game.  But I have to put in the work to get there!

Until next time…..

Welcome

Posted: June 26, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: WELCOME | Tags: , , , , , , | 4 Comments

It has taken me some time to actually come up with a name for my blog.  But finally, due to a headline used on an article that featured my internet radio show, Vegas Unwrapped, it became obvious. (See above header.)  🙂

I want to use this space to share with you what I have experienced since broadcasting on the Internet over 6 years ago.  I want to educate those who are unfamiliar with Internet radio and all that it can offer.

I would love for this to be an open forum, to get feedback as well, so that I can continue to gain more information from others about their experinces with Internet Radio.

Much to my surprise I spend alot of time educating those I come in contact with about the power of Internet radio.  I don’t mind doing that of course, especially if I am working towards obtaining their business.  A good friend of mine, award winning author of the book Testosterone Free Marketing, Denise Michaels shares with her clients, “A confused mind always says NO.”

This is exactly why I started this blog.  I want to educate the casual listener to the potential advertiser to the potential show host about what the world of Internet radio is all about.

Until next time…….

Aaron Phillips