Is Facebook a good place to promote both local stations and personalities?

[Mark Giardina]

A growing number of former broadcasting colleagues of mine are using Facebook as either a fan base, or just a site to communicate with viewers and listeners.

I myself set up a Facebook account for a local talk show host on WYSL radio, which I then turned over administrative oversight to the people who work at the station full time to make sure the site is regularly updated.

The reason I'm asking this question is that with the growing number of people on Facebook, some broadcasting-types are using this site to promote either upcoming guests on their radio shows, or the latest breaking stories on TV. Anyone have an opinion on this topic?

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

Yes. Facebook is THE tool to "promote" stations and personalities -- but most importantly, to connect, and it can.

Mark, you're ahead of so many people. You are planning for the Facebook to be "regularly updated." In my own personal research, over half of major market radio station Facebook Pages are not updated on a regular basis. Guess what that kind of lousy activity does for the station? Not a thing.

I have personal experience in social networking in radio (it goes beyond Facebook, by the way). I establish profiles, Pages, accounts and layouts, train users and brainstorm strategies for the most effective use of Facebook and Twitter for specific markets and audiences. I have done a series of tests and methods, first using internet radio, so that I'd have those daily stats to prove effectiveness and equate them to what I had done.

Absolutely. Every station and personality needs to be social networking. There's nothing better!

Lauren Polanski
Internet Radio Networks

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

Facebook is "the next big thing" for boomers, but it may already be passe for college students. I wonder if it's just another techno-phase. About 18 months ago, radio people were all abuzz, "Gotta be on Facebook, gotta be on Facebook..." So now, many of us are on Facebook. And what do we see? "Washed my hair this morning... having a bad hair day" and "sign pettition to have name of politician impeached." To be honest, there's some good stuff too and being part of a friends network does keep people connected.

Facebook began as a networking platform for college students, now it's the rage of baby boomers, grandparents, promoters, hustlers and businesses. Years ago, an .edu url was required to register. But money changes everything (-Cyndi Lauper, mid 80s.) And even with its millions of subscribers, from everything that's been written about it, Facebook doesn't make money. College students' and graduates' attitudes about Facebook are changing, especially since mom and dad are part of the Facebook network (reducing the number of beer and boobs shots kids post on their walls so mom, dad and perspective employers don't become apoplectic.)

Texting is the new communication platform for the 15-35 demo. And just like any real community, Facebook has its share of characters, creeps and cons to be avoided.

Should you be there? Yes. But what drives Facebook is content (gee, what a surprise), pictures and updating your page. You're competing for attention with everybody else on FB as well as thousands of other websites, like Drudge, Huffington and of course, Radio-Info.com.

 

[Bob1370]

"Should you be there? Yes. But what drives Facebook is content (gee, what a surprise), pictures and updating your page. You're competing for attention with everybody else on FB as well as thousands of other websites, like Drudge, Huffington and of course, Radio-Info.com."

Can't argue with that, but I wonder if we might get more mileage from our online presence simply by keeping our own station Web sites fresh and offer maximum interaction--then promote the hell out of them...

 

[SirRoxalot]

The difference between FB and your local website is that people are already on FB. FB is the destination, and you're one of dozens or hundreds of "friends" that people are there to see. If you use it properly, you can remind people of your existence, interact with people in a familiar environment, and become more "human". You can detect attitudes and trends.

FB is NOT another means of SPAMMING people. It can be a conduit to your station website, which should have a lot more detail about promotions, programming, and people. Your station website is where you beat people over the head with your advertising - both for yourself and others.

 

[JimMcGrath]

facebook is a good resource for letting people know what is going on in a quick efficient manner. The only caveat that I would make is don't over do it. There are fb people who let you know that "I am on the back porch" and 5 minutes later that "I'm eating a sandwich."( and typing too!) After your page gets filled with such stuff you will find the hide button.

 

[superset weekend]

It is a great marketing tool! You should be there, along with any other place you can think of.

 

[heydaybegone]

Should you be there? Yes

OMG!! Facebook is a phenomenon strong enough to break up marriages!! You have forgotten that Farmville, Cafe Town, all the other F'n towns.. is now the competition for your "promotional marketing". Nice try!!

There is only 1 way to play FB...individual friend interaction. Oh Fuc@!! Yup, no staffers. I know...I have seen the "status" reports from a "become a fan" postings. It's a WTF? 1,000,000 friends got the same thing? Welcome to mass media. Ain't gonna help you.

Conclusion : nice try...Too Much, Too Little, Too Late (Composer Credits: Nat Kipner & John McIntyre Vallins)...I don't believe it's going to help at all.

That's all

 

[lchase]

Facebook worked pretty well for one station this afternoon, when Brad Riter broke the news of Nick Mendola's move from WGR to WECK in a status update.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

There are fb people who let you know that "I am on the back porch" and 5 minutes later that "I'm eating a sandwich."( and typing too!) After your page gets filled with such stuff you will find the hide button.

??? I thought that's what Twitter was for? ???

 

[jfc40ts]

Recently there was an article in Radioworld magazine that addressed this topic. "Tweet this!" explored the idea of using the various social media to enhance both a station and its personalities. One thing that stood out was an instance of something that went wrong. It was a classic example of the qoute "We have met the enemy and he is us."

"Many people in the industry have confused Twitter and Facebook with broadcasting. Just last week I had a major disagreement with a talent because she thought it was vital thet her 237 Twitter followers get a breaking news story before she broke it on the air five minutes later.

Sure enough the competition beat her to the punch on-air. They even got the news extra fast - because they subscribe to her Twitter feed!

Even after pointing this out, she still felt she'd "won" because she Tweeted first. This was nonsense. She has thousands of listeners each quarter hour."

The author called for Program Directors to coordinate the social media interaction as a team effort as opposed to individuals doing their own thing. In other words, set common goals and enhance your station's brand as much as possible. Tie all these outlets to having people tune in. That is the goal after all, isn't it?

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

Also read that article which was well stated. Goal #1, "get ears to the radio." Goal #2, "keep 'em there." Goal #3, "properly promote all platforms to benefit the radio station." 237 Twitters vs 2500 AQH listeners and scooped by the competition. Goal #1: Rinse, repeat.