Hey GR. Appreicate what you've done. I'm not a fan in general of lib talk radio, but I do listen to hear the "other side" of the debate.
One thing I would suggest is to get some thick skin. Yes, you do have some and have run into some unfortunate events. They aren't fun and I know you're working hard to keep things together with shoestrings and baling wire. But, as we all know, if this thing had launched without a hitch, you'd be sitting back with your thumbs under your suspenders and taking the kudos. Well, the launch didn't happen that way. If you're willing to take the glory, be willing to take the spears. But to lash out to those who have taken issue with the issues you are having doesn't cut the cake and solve your problems.
First of all, you signed up for the trip. You get to wear the T-shirt. Whether this is ultimately a success or failure is on your shoulders. There are many things working against you. Lack of a good feed, an automation system that is probably is able to run since it's not getting the proper switch tones through an internet feed. Small beginning revenue stream and bills to pay. No staff. But lashing out at some folks who have been critical of the launch as being nobodies because they aren't doing it isn't a sign of business savvy. Maybe reaching out for some assistance from some of these folks to join your mission and cause might yield some out of the box answers and solutions. Using your rationale, Ed Schultz shouldn't be ranting about how Bush is running the government cause he hasn't attempted to do it. Face it, those in a leadership position open themselves to the Monday morning quarterbacks and pundits. There will always be critics. And many times, there are great elements of truth in their rants. Glean through their rants and take the pertinent information and forget the rest.
Second, even when all the above comes together, you have a problem with a limited signal. I live in SE Cols. From downtown to my home, the night signal is spotty. It drops, has ingress from other stations and all the usual problems from a low power high frequency AM station in a night situation. In a word....it sucks. But night also means that morning drive is impacted for a good part of the year also. While there isn't much you can probably do about it, it's just another limitation to be dealt with on a forever and ongoing basis. Maybe with a fuller spectrum audio feed, you may be able to become loud enough to overcome some of this.
Finally, you have the ability to sell ice cubes to Eskimos on a frozen night. I've heard some of the most unlikely advertisers through the years with the spots you've sold for the programs you do. Leverage that ability to greatness.
