Tanner..there are so many different products that the 45-65 demo would love to hear more about including reverse mortgages..RV resorts..good restaurants..downsize home options..hardware and home improvement..home spas..windows, and sunrooms..group vacation deals..cigar stores..golf packages..etc etc.
Not all older people are retired..many are still working and will do so until they drop. Also not as many older demos have huge pensions or get dividends..some of us had to keep the damn lights on, and keep pluggin away..and still are.
An entertaining, and compelling radio outlet that super served this loyal audience would not only work, but actually MAKE a profit. An excellent example I heard of recently in Alabama had listeners act as sales people. The station gave away sales kits, and printed business cards for any listener who wanted to "help spread the good word about our station". If they went to a restaurant they liked, they were encouraged to ask for the manager, and offer a compliment to the staff..then sign them up for a small advertising package on the station. They literally had a legion of folks..numbering over 150..combing the streets and offering introductory, first time advertiser packages to the small businesses in town. Think of it! A HUGE staff of sales people that not only liked the music and the format, but wanted to sell for it? Quite a difference from the cubicle cloistered youngsters who hate the station and are scared to even try to sell it. That's why these stations fail. The young sales staff wants to sell the sexy CHR station, or the Country station or even the news talk outlet before they will ever lower themselves to selling "that fogey station" and..You know what? now you have to wait to get on the air there at that Alabama station..and every 6 months the owners throw a party for all the "station associates" who make a very small commission..like 15 bucks on a 100 dollar package...and the people LOVE it...they get new listeners, talk to businesses, and overall feel productive about thier part in keeping the station going. It's amazing.
Not all older people are retired..many are still working and will do so until they drop. Also not as many older demos have huge pensions or get dividends..some of us had to keep the damn lights on, and keep pluggin away..and still are.
An entertaining, and compelling radio outlet that super served this loyal audience would not only work, but actually MAKE a profit. An excellent example I heard of recently in Alabama had listeners act as sales people. The station gave away sales kits, and printed business cards for any listener who wanted to "help spread the good word about our station". If they went to a restaurant they liked, they were encouraged to ask for the manager, and offer a compliment to the staff..then sign them up for a small advertising package on the station. They literally had a legion of folks..numbering over 150..combing the streets and offering introductory, first time advertiser packages to the small businesses in town. Think of it! A HUGE staff of sales people that not only liked the music and the format, but wanted to sell for it? Quite a difference from the cubicle cloistered youngsters who hate the station and are scared to even try to sell it. That's why these stations fail. The young sales staff wants to sell the sexy CHR station, or the Country station or even the news talk outlet before they will ever lower themselves to selling "that fogey station" and..You know what? now you have to wait to get on the air there at that Alabama station..and every 6 months the owners throw a party for all the "station associates" who make a very small commission..like 15 bucks on a 100 dollar package...and the people LOVE it...they get new listeners, talk to businesses, and overall feel productive about thier part in keeping the station going. It's amazing.