THE FINAL FRONTIER OF FREE SPEECH

Posted: November 5, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: RANDOM THOUGHTS | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’m back.  It’s been way too long and I have to start being more consistent with my writings.

Usually I have to be inspired by something to write about.  There have been a lot of inspirations lately but then they are fleeting before I know it and I never write about it.

But today I am back:  A lot has gone on but I will focus on the most important one.  May 1st, 2015, I became and Internet Radio Station owner.  Myself and my two radio partners from my show, Vegas Unwrapped, joined forces and purchased VEGAS ALL NET RADIO.

SQ VANR logo 2 2013-11

One of the most amazing things is that we purchased the station from a rather big radio company that owns stations all over the South Western US.  It has always been a dream of mine.  When Vegas Unwrapped started nearly 7 years ago, I told Ricky Cash that there has to be end to justify the means when it comes to hosting our own show.  I wanted to be in control of every facet of our business and not rely on the procedures and rules of the station we aired on.

Then we met a guy by the name of John P.G. Stiles (JPeg) over a year ago when we Ricky & I were guests on another radio show.  John handled the video taping of the show we guested on.  We asked him to film a Vegas Unwrapped episode and see what that did for our show.  You can check out all the videos at www.youtbe.com/unwrapped2010 if you want a peak behind the wizard’s curtain.  You can also see the videos of many of our different shows by going to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCniowhQoXCe3OwWPcFDBGjw/featured?view_as=subscriber 

John saw our vision about owning our own station and our desire to give back to the communities that our listeners are in.

Everything came together on May 1st.  There were 23 shows on the roster at that time and I am please to report that as of this writing we have 51 shows on the air.  Simply click on the station logo above and it will take you to our station website and then click on the “Programs” tab to see the lineup.

We offer a little bit of everything, Sports, Entertainment, Education, Veteran Programming, Health, Life Coaching, Holistic Modalities, Music and so much more.

We will be adding LIVE Streaming within a couple of months and eventually Internet Television.

I am proud of what we have accomplished but we have a long way to go.  If you ever thought of hosting your own radio show, we can train you to do that.  If you would like to advertise on our station I have programs that average around $5/spot.  That is a price that is very hard to find elsewhere.  BY 2017 research is trending that advertising dollars on Internet radio will surpass the revenues of television advertising dollars.  http://rss.securenetsystems.net/index.cfm?page=Growth_Charts

Internet radio is here to stay and will continue to grown to levels that I don’t think others have even thought about.

Don’t be left behind standing on the platform as the train passes you by.

That's me!

Until next time……

AP

Time Away From The Microphone

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

Ever since I started on the radio some 6+ years ago, I have taken pride in my work as a radio personality. I have never missed a show unless I was on vacation or won tickets to a show in Las Vegas. I have listened to every show I have been involved with on podcast in order to critique my efforts and the efforts of those involved with Vegas Unwrapped in order to grow and make the show the best it can be each week. These steps have provided the opportunity for what I like to call consistency.

Then there comes the “forced” time off. We took the week off from our show in between Christmas and New Years for a break. But I wonder if it really pays to take time off for the reasons I mentioned above. I feel like when we are not on the air, we lose ground to the competition. Part of this feeling is that I get so wrapped in the production of the show by lining up guests and getting things ready that when I don’t have to do this, I feel lost with nothing to do. Truth be told, there is never NOTHING to do since we are always thinking ahead for shows but it gets me out of a normal Wednesday routine.

Bottom line is when you love doing something as much as I love being on the radio, it’s strange not doing it. Once it’s in the blood, you are bitten and hate to miss it for any reason.

Phillips behind the microphone

When I am in the studio or on location doing a live remote it’s like being in a world where nobody can touch me. It’s like being out with the boys at the bowling alley on a Friday night where you can just let loose and enjoy.

The good news is that I have less than week to go when I back on the air. Vegas Unwrapped airs every Wednesday night from
7-9 PM PST. You can go to http://www.vegasunwrapped.net and click on the LISTEN LIVE banner at the top of the Home Page. You can also logon direct to http://www.lvrocks.com to listen and join the chatroom as well.

If you are not by a computer, you can download the application called “TUNEIN” to your phone and take us with you. Connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vegasunwrappedinternetradio. I can also be found on twitter @aaron_phillips_.

May 2013 be a prosperous New Year for you and your family.

Until next time…..

Been A While

Posted: December 5, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: EXPERIENCE | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

calandarWow how quickly time flies. I didn’t realize that it has been months not just a few weeks since my last post.

It’s amazing that the more things change the more they actually seem to stay the same.  One of the biggest challenges I have is the educational curve of  business owners and understanding the POWER of Internet radio.

For every step forward we seem to take 2 steps backward.  Things that I have found in my meetings with potential advertisers:

(1) Immediate R.O.I. (Return On Investment):  It is generally a policy that all advertising packages have a minimum of 3 months run-time.  Why?  It takes time to “brand” your advertisement to the listening audience on a show.  It takes both parties to help promote the advertising both internally and externally.  We might consider a 2 month package depending upon the business and as for a 1 month package, 9 out of 10 times will not do marketing on such a small timetable because of the short window.  They will lead to an “over promise and under deliver” scenario which is not good for either parties.

(2) How much really is too much?:  We offer an option for businesses to promote their wares during a live interview segment called “SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL LAS VEGAS BUSINESS” for under $200 (1x).  The interview is recorded on a thumb drive and given to the guest immediately following their interview.  We also video record the segment and distribute it across different Social Media platforms.  This allows the guest to then continue to use these tools to market their business professionally from the tolls we provide.  If a business can’t afford a 1x cost of under $200 for a tool that they continue to use to promote themselves, how are they staying in business?

(3) I am cutting back on advertising:  How is this possible?  I realize that 60% of business comes from referrals.  But 40% is wide open to capture.  Imagine how much more business you could have if you captured only half of that 40%.  Who couldn’t use an extra 20% increase in business?  I know Vegas Unwrapped Productions certainly could!   Why do business owners make cuts in the one area that directly grows their business?  Wouldn’t it make sense to keep marketing your business while EVERYONE else cuts their marketing budget so you can stay ahead your competition?

I know that I am not alone. I had a brief conversation with a terrestrial radio account executive this week who is experiencing the same thing as I am with her potential advertisers.

Be sure to befriend us on Facebook under “VEGAS UNWRAPPED INTERNET RADIO”.

Our website is www.vegasunwrapped.net and to listen to any of our shows on podcast, here is the direct link to past shows of Vegas Unwrapped, http://www.lvrocks.com/details.php?id=204.

If you have an Iphone, Ipad, Android, etc you can download “TUNEIN” on your phone and listen to the show LIVE.  Just search for LV ROCKS once you download the app.  Vegas Unwrapped airs every Wednesday night from 7-9 PM PST.

Until next time….

AP

VEGAS UNWRAPPED_LOGO PR

Why is it so hard?

Posted: July 8, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: EXPERIENCE | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I’ve been taking a break from things lately because of a major change to my schedule.

With July 4th this past week, we re-ran a “best of” Vegas Unwrapped and A House Party Tonight with Don Hill. It’s funny, it seems like an eternity since I was behind the microphone.  The good thing I am getting excited to get back on the air LIVE this week from 7-9 PM PST on www.vegasunwrapped.net. (SHAMELESS PUG.)

It also gives me time to really listen to past shows as a “listener” rather than a “producer”.  When I am LIVE on the air, I really can’t listen to the show.  It’s almost like an out-of-body experience.  I have gone back to every show each week for the last 6 years and listened to the podcast as if I were a listener.  It gives me the chance to listen to what is being said, the delivery of a segment, how as the energy of the show, etc.  This has been the best tool for me to hone my craft.  I am not saying that I am Bob Costas of radio, but I think I have a fairly good grasp of how this all works.  But sometimes it is harder than I expect.

I am always thinking a segment ahead to the next piece of the show.  I am producing during breaks with the engineer and on-air partner.  I am gathering material all week-long to have for the show not knowing where we may go with things.

I was listening to Colin Cowheard from ESPN the other day talk about how good tv broadcasters are because as they are talking they have their directors talking to them in their earpiece about where to go next during the telecast.  It is like carrying on in two conversations at the same time only you can’t reply to one of them, you can only listen as you speak only in the first conversation.

As crazy at that sounds, I would love the opportunity to try television broadcasting.  I am very proud of the myself for the self-created opportunity of getting started in radio some 6 years ago after doing color commentating for Junior Golden Gloves Boxing from Mesquite, Nevada.  That was post production television, where I did have a director talking to me but if we made a mistake, we could stop and do a re-take.

It’s interesting when I have downtime, I try to re-establish my foothold on where I am going.  as long as it is straight ahead, I can not complain.

Until next time….

 

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……