Merge98FM

[Tin Can]

It's been one year and two months tomorrow since I signed on to the internet airwaves. For some reason, I'm still having trouble getting listeners. I like to call my format an Extreme AC, meaning we play the hits from the artists that made AC hits and then go deeper into their libraries. Luther Vandross, Hoobastank, Liz Phair, Anita Baker, Chicago, Nickelback, Carrie Underwood, etc.

Can someone give me some tips on how to make a succesful internet radio station, because the only two station I see doing remotely my format is Eye 97 and Radio Max Music. I play more R&B than Max and much more rock than Eye 97.

I want to get up to at least WRAJ's level of four consecutive computers or units being tuned in 24/7.

The site is www.merge98fm.us, and click on Listen Live to pick your stream.

 

[ElCheapo]

It's been one year and two months tomorrow since I signed on to the internet airwaves. For some reason, I'm still having trouble getting listeners. I like to call my format an Extreme AC, meaning we play the hits from the artists that made AC hits and then go deeper into their libraries. Luther Vandross, Hoobastank, Liz Phair, Anita Baker, Chicago, Nickelback, Carrie Underwood, etc.

Can someone give me some tips on how to make a succesful internet radio station, because the only two station I see doing remotely my format is Eye 97 and Radio Max Music. I play more R&B than Max and much more rock than Eye 97.

I want to get up to at least WRAJ's level of four consecutive computers or units being tuned in 24/7.

The site is www.merge98fm.us, and click on Listen Live to pick your stream.

A few thoughts...

The artists you list above are female friendly. Your positioning statement is not. You generally don't see the word "killer" in the positioning statement of a female targeted station.

 

[KillerOldiesJock]

Well in my experience, you have to decide on a genre.
Being all over the shop doesn't usually work.

Go
50s-60s or
60s 70s or
70s 80s or

Classic Rock

Country

etc etc

Luther and chicago dont mix real well with liz phair

Internet radio gives you the temptation to really mix it up, but most listeners like a specific genre and you can mix it up with deep cuts from those artists and rare stuff of same genre.

my .02

 

[Tin Can]

It's been one year and two months tomorrow since I signed on to the internet airwaves. For some reason, I'm still having trouble getting listeners. I like to call my format an Extreme AC, meaning we play the hits from the artists that made AC hits and then go deeper into their libraries. Luther Vandross, Hoobastank, Liz Phair, Anita Baker, Chicago, Nickelback, Carrie Underwood, etc.

Can someone give me some tips on how to make a succesful internet radio station, because the only two station I see doing remotely my format is Eye 97 and Radio Max Music. I play more R&B than Max and much more rock than Eye 97.

I want to get up to at least WRAJ's level of four consecutive computers or units being tuned in 24/7.

The site is www.merge98fm.us, and click on Listen Live to pick your stream.

A few thoughts...

The artists you list above are female friendly. Your positioning statement is not. You generally don't see the word "killer" in the positioning statement of a female targeted station.

Another positioner I use is instead of the "Flame Thrower" I use "the Brain Freezer" indicating many flavors, all equally refreshing. Would that work better?

 

[jcolletta275]

Mmm... in my opinion, not quite. If your music mix is targeting females, you're not going to want to include "extreme" elements in your positioner. That indicates a male lean, even though your music mix may show it. Unlike radio folks like you and I, the average listener doesn't dig through your playlist to determine whether or not they're going to like the station, so the positioner has to tell them that this is their station. Females aren't going to pick up on things like "The Brain Freezer" or "Killer."

It really depends on who you want to listen.

Now once you get that situation figured out, the next step is promoting the station. What do you do to get your name out there? Do you advertise online, and more importantly, are your advertisements being seen by your target demo? Do your ads say anything as to why people should listen to your station and not the hundreds of others out there? What sets you apart?

It sounds like you're trying to be an all-out variety hits station (with a much deeper library than most). How would you put that into words that your target demo would "get?" Once you figure that out, not only do you have your positioner figured out, you also have a basis for your ad campaign.

Also, I don't see you in the Shoutcast listings. That would be a big plus, as both Winamp and AOL users see those. Even if you have to set up a redirecting playlist to be seen there, I'd recommend it.