I’ve thought about presenting a subject like this for quite some time. As a poster, and someone who genuinely appreciates “Radio Discussions,” I strive to bring interest to my content. Despite my efforts, there are more misses than hits.
If you think about it, the various boards that make up Radio Discussions are like radio stations. Each board and subjects in that board show the number of views and the levels of participation. It’s like radio ratings. Obviously, there are boards that are way more popular than others. Among these are Top 20 markets, radio formats, engineering, and even radio competition/other platforms known as specialty. There are others.
There are new ones under the political discussions umbrella. Those who run Radio Discussions are, no doubt, tasked with finding ways to increase both site visits and participation. Politics doesn’t interest me. But, I can see the merits of including political discussions and relationships to broadcasting. People may not agree on much but they talk about it with passion. If it helps attract advertising and keeps R.D. viable, count me in.
State-specific boards such as this one doesn’t have an easy time of it because it’s tougher getting noticed. In the universe of people who frequent the boards, it truly is a numbers game. Last year, I spent considerable time researching “Fl Ratings & More.” I enjoyed presenting it. There were over 4000 views. It was an undertaking that was never done with such detailed analysis. That string proved the right subject can attract people.
One of the disappointments in that string was when I got to the smaller markets. Interest dropped off. Outside of a poster who let me know of his favorite station in the Panhandle, it was a struggle to keep it going. There is, in my view, a story to tell especially for mom-and-pop operations. There is a bias in favor of large markets/big stations. It’s another difficulty for this board in that all the large Fl cities are represented.
Titling subjects, for boards such as this, must be worded in a way that generates curiosity. With more readers can come more opportunity for participation. Such was the case in 2019’s “Radio Catch 22’s” earning over 2000 views. The truth is I didn’t put much effort into that subject, but it generated interest. A couple years ago I talked about a specific Treasure Coast station that flipped to Christmas. Not surprisingly, that didn't get much attention. Nothing new there. But perhaps presenting it as a statewide stations discussion would have performed better.
Two subjects from last year surprised me in that both, as of this writing date, got zero response. One was “Luck, Flips, & Success.” That subject title alone I figured would arouse curiosity. It’s only earned several hundred views. On the content side, I thought readers would want to know why some stations have a history of constantly flipping. It seems a piss-poor way of doing business. About luck, I believe the readers would have enjoyed hearing accounts of first opportunities in radio and whether it was a stroke of good or bad luck.
Most surprisingly was the deafening silence for “Fl Top 500 80’s.” That took me over 4 months to research and put together. Years ago, my specialty music lists earned lots of response and views. It’s telling me the readers and posters are more into radio’s reality than in the discussion of alternative programing ideas. I probably should have promoted that subject in the Classic Hits board to give it the attention it deserved.
Finally, I believe a post on this board will increase its likelihood of being seen provided it is done when the maximum number of people are on the site. Posting in the 5 or 6 AM, as I often do, can find your comments buried by many pages in the “What’s New” tab of R.D. as the day progresses.
As far as increasing views and participation on this board, we need to remember Florida is the 3rd largest state in population. There are many stories to tell and there are great radio stations here. But they must be presented in a way that is interesting and relatable to all those who don’t call Florida home.
If you think about it, the various boards that make up Radio Discussions are like radio stations. Each board and subjects in that board show the number of views and the levels of participation. It’s like radio ratings. Obviously, there are boards that are way more popular than others. Among these are Top 20 markets, radio formats, engineering, and even radio competition/other platforms known as specialty. There are others.
There are new ones under the political discussions umbrella. Those who run Radio Discussions are, no doubt, tasked with finding ways to increase both site visits and participation. Politics doesn’t interest me. But, I can see the merits of including political discussions and relationships to broadcasting. People may not agree on much but they talk about it with passion. If it helps attract advertising and keeps R.D. viable, count me in.
State-specific boards such as this one doesn’t have an easy time of it because it’s tougher getting noticed. In the universe of people who frequent the boards, it truly is a numbers game. Last year, I spent considerable time researching “Fl Ratings & More.” I enjoyed presenting it. There were over 4000 views. It was an undertaking that was never done with such detailed analysis. That string proved the right subject can attract people.
One of the disappointments in that string was when I got to the smaller markets. Interest dropped off. Outside of a poster who let me know of his favorite station in the Panhandle, it was a struggle to keep it going. There is, in my view, a story to tell especially for mom-and-pop operations. There is a bias in favor of large markets/big stations. It’s another difficulty for this board in that all the large Fl cities are represented.
Titling subjects, for boards such as this, must be worded in a way that generates curiosity. With more readers can come more opportunity for participation. Such was the case in 2019’s “Radio Catch 22’s” earning over 2000 views. The truth is I didn’t put much effort into that subject, but it generated interest. A couple years ago I talked about a specific Treasure Coast station that flipped to Christmas. Not surprisingly, that didn't get much attention. Nothing new there. But perhaps presenting it as a statewide stations discussion would have performed better.
Two subjects from last year surprised me in that both, as of this writing date, got zero response. One was “Luck, Flips, & Success.” That subject title alone I figured would arouse curiosity. It’s only earned several hundred views. On the content side, I thought readers would want to know why some stations have a history of constantly flipping. It seems a piss-poor way of doing business. About luck, I believe the readers would have enjoyed hearing accounts of first opportunities in radio and whether it was a stroke of good or bad luck.
Most surprisingly was the deafening silence for “Fl Top 500 80’s.” That took me over 4 months to research and put together. Years ago, my specialty music lists earned lots of response and views. It’s telling me the readers and posters are more into radio’s reality than in the discussion of alternative programing ideas. I probably should have promoted that subject in the Classic Hits board to give it the attention it deserved.
Finally, I believe a post on this board will increase its likelihood of being seen provided it is done when the maximum number of people are on the site. Posting in the 5 or 6 AM, as I often do, can find your comments buried by many pages in the “What’s New” tab of R.D. as the day progresses.
As far as increasing views and participation on this board, we need to remember Florida is the 3rd largest state in population. There are many stories to tell and there are great radio stations here. But they must be presented in a way that is interesting and relatable to all those who don’t call Florida home.