Many radio stations publish in real-time the music that is currently playing live on their websites and many DJs use the #np or #nowplaying hashtags on Twitter to tell their followers the same thing. Providing this information informs listeners (and potential listeners) about what they can expect to hear but it also gives publicity to the artists and labels that are mentioned.
Although this real-time publishing is a great way to engage with your audience while you are on-air, it is important to remember that there are also plenty of ways you can engage with them between shows as well. Here are six ways you might do this (plus a bonus one too):
1. Advertise your show on social media
Post regularly on the social media channels that your current audience is following you on, and where your potential new listeners are most likely to see your posts. Facebook and Twitter are currently the most popular but remember that they need different approaches to be successful. For example, a strong image is likely to get more notice in someone’s Facebook timeline.
Do try out various cadences to see what works best in terms of when to start promoting your next show and how often to post about it.
Perhaps consider paying for promoted Tweets on Twitter and sponsored or boosted posts on Facebook to increase the percentage of your audience likely to see your posts. If you put the time, effort and some expense into understanding the advertising platforms it is possible to target small market segments very efficiently.
2. Get other DJs on your station to plug your show
Most radio stations will either require or suggest that you promote the other shows and the station in general. Even if they don’t, it is still worth doing as an increased audience for the station as a whole is likely to bring more listeners to your show, at least once anyway, to hear what you and your show are all about.
Encourage your listeners to stay online for the next show if there is a DJ following on straight-away. Hopefully in time other DJs will reciprocate and, again, everyone on the station benefits.
3. Post recordings of your show online
This is now common practice in most media whether it is TV or Radio. There are many places you can store your past shows including your (or the station’s) website, Soundcloud or Mixcloud. At the time of writing Mixcloud is becoming more popular, particularly because of the Chart feature which rewards shows gaining the most listeners in various categories.
If you use Soundcloud, Mixcloud or similar websites you can still post a link to it on your personal Site. The music hosting sites all provide HTML type links that you can cut & paste to give professional looking pages.
4. Posting links on Facebook & Twitter
This follows naturally from points 1 & 3 above. Once you have uploaded the show recording, promote it on the social media sites so that anyone that missed your show can listen. Encourage your audience to Share and Re-Tweet and your show can reach a wider group of people who might become listeners. Once again, strong images and the right wording can help to get more social love.
5. Join in the chatroom when other DJs are broadcasting
If your radio station has an online chatroom that operates during live shows then try to be logged in as often as you can. Interacting with the audience members of other shows will help them to get to know you.
Without distracting from the live DJ you can gently promote your own show and your presence in the chatroom might well prompt the DJ to mention your show as well, as you are demonstrating your support to their own work.
6. Engage with your audience on social media
Beyond promoting your forthcoming and recorded shows you should spend time where your audience are on social media. Get involved in the conversations, ask and answer questions, share interesting stories and generally be visible. Engagement is key to building and strengthening your relationship with your audience members which will, if you do this in the right way, make them more likely to tune-in to your show and hopefully share what you are doing with their friends.
7. BONUS – Engage with your fellow DJs and Industry Influencers on Social Media
Keeping in touch with the other DJs on your station helps to foster team spirit and is a great way of increasing the visibility of the station’s brand.
Engaging with social media influencers will help to increase awareness of who you are and what are doing. Many DJs see tangible benefits from this kind of engagement, such as receiving promo copies of new music and even offers of work.
Finally…
Do you use any or all of these methods of engagement? I would love to know if there are any other things you do to build relationships and trust with your audience and others. Do let me know in the comments below.
