DAN O’DAY TALKS ABOUT RADIO

I don’t blame you; you’ve been a little…

…skeptical?

But how could you doubt Mandy Kaplan?

If you are unable to video the video above, use this alternate video player.

A Loyal Reader Asks:

1)  How often should station imaging for an Oldies station be updated?

2)  How often should programming promos be updated (ones that promote shows on the station and/or features)?

3)  Is it still true one of listeners’ biggest pet peeves is when announcers talk over songs?

4)  Promotions: Would listeners rather have a chance to win a large prize or small prizes?

5)  Any ideas for station swag when the station has a small budget?

6  Any advice to new morning shows who are being overshadowed by the market leader?

7)  How important is ‘the play along factor’ for listeners who don’t
participate in radio contests?

8)  Should there always be an instant prize AND a chance at winning something large?

1)  Long after the PD complains that he’s sick of it.

2)  No formula. Depends upon the program, station, audience, frequency, etc.

3)  Yes.

4)  If they feel they have an equal chance at either? Obviously, a good large prize. But that assumes a perception of equal winning opportunity. Beyond that, you should get this:

5)  Yes. See #4, above.

6)  Yes.

7)  Extremely.

8)  No.

Let’s pretend you’re listening to the radio.

After you click the “Play” button below, look at something other than your computer monitor. Anything. (Very few people stare at their radios while listening.)

Did you notice how difficult it was to focus on the message?

Imagine the impact on a radio audience member who has absolutely no incentive to “listen” to the commercial. Instead, the spot needs to make itself heard, rather than hoping people listener hard enough.

Why did this happen?

Because they squeezed that script into a 30-second frame. The announcer had to talk much too fast for people to listen easily.

The best solution would have been to make it a :60. Yes, most Australian radio spots are :30s. But they do have :60s.

It’s possible that Nova 96.9 donated the air time and, as a rule, doesn’t “donate” 60-second spots. That doesn’t matter. Donating 30 seconds of ineffective advertising accomplishes only two goals:

1.  Makes the advertiser feel good.

2.  Allows the radio station to claim credit for public service.

But imagine how immeasurably stronger the impact would’ve been if the announcer had been allowed 60 seconds in which to deliver that message.

If it absolutely had to be a :30, then the copywriter needed to cut out half the copy.

On, one more thing: What’s the Call To Action?

Is the goal of this radio spot to get the listener to “look out for One Water at your local Woolworth’s”?

Or is it to get the listener to “find out more” by going to their website?

An effective radio commercial needs exactly one Call To Action. This spot has one too many.

If you have trouble viewing the video above, use this alternate video player.