Better Radio Websites Jim Sherwood

When you have a robust radio station website, you may not realize it can be used for much more than informing and entertaining your listening audience. Adding additional functionality can transform your website into a powerful tool for streamlining operations, enhancing communication, and boosting efficiency across all departments.

For more detailed show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/innovative-untapped-uses-for-your-radio-station-website.

Some of these options require a simple form to pull off. Some might require custom plugins. And some might require custom coding from a professional developer. So, they could go from cheap to expensive. Some of these may be impossible, depending on your hosting plan or website partner. We’re not advocating that you do all or any of these. We only want to let you know of the available possibilities. Let’s go through each department and give three examples.

Sales


Sales Order Forms
Client Portals
CRM Integration

Business/Administration


Document Management
Expense Reporting
HR Portal

Production


Production Requests
Asset Library
Scheduling Tools

Programming


Content Management
Internal Communication
Listener Feedback

News


Newsroom Management
Press Release Submission
Content Archiving

Engineering


Maintenance Logs
Inventory Management
Trouble Ticket System

Marketing/Promotions


Campaign Tracking
Event Management
Analytics Dashboards

General Station Use


Intranet
Training Resources
Polls and Surveys

Potential Downsides

I can’t mention these additional exciting uses for your station website without giving some downsides to consider.


Improper hosting can lead to unexpected downtime, disrupting your operations and affecting productivity.
Security: Sensitive information could be at risk without proper measures.
Relying too heavily on a single system means multiple aspects of your station’s operations could be impacted if it fails.

What special ways are you using your radio station website? Please let us know in the comments.

If we can help with your radio station website, reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Are you relying on RSS feeds to populate your radio station website? There’s a good chance they are doing more harm than good. Today, we’ll give you NINE reasons to kick RSS feeds to the curb.

For more detailed show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/9-reasons-why-rss-feeds-are-bad-for-your-radio-station-website.

It’s very common for stations to want to put as much content on their websites as possible. More content equals more visitors, right? Not necessarily. While RSS feeds might seem like a convenient way to keep your website updated, they can actually do more harm than good.

Why RSS Feeds Are Not the Best Strategy

1. RSS Feeds Dilute Your Brand Identity

2. They Can Affect Your SEO

3. Lack of Control Over Content

4. Reduced Engagement

5. Potential Technical Issues

6. Missed Opportunities for Local Content

7. Advertising and Revenue Impact

8. Slower Page Loading Times

9. Legal Ramifications

What to Do Instead

Rather than relying on RSS feeds, radio stations should focus on creating original, engaging content tailored to their audience and community. This includes producing local news stories, event updates, interviews with artists, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive features like polls and contests. One of the most popular content segments among smaller markets is obituaries and mugshots. By providing unique and relevant content, stations can build a loyal online community, improve SEO, and offer a more valuable experience to both listeners and advertisers.

While RSS feeds might seem like a shortcut to keeping your website updated, they come with significant downsides. For a thriving radio station website, focus on creating and curating local content that reflects your station's unique voice and engages your audience. Your listeners will appreciate the effort, and your website will become a go-to destination for fresh, relevant content.

Have questions or need help creating engaging content for your radio station website? We are here to help. Reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that we've been excited about the potential of AI.

For more detailed show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/the-risks-of-ai-generated-website-content.

Historically, radio has "done a lot with little," and AI can seem like the game-changer we've always dreamed of. However, with all these benefits, there are also risks to consider.


Lack of Authenticity
Inaccuracies and Misinformation
Lack of Context
Limited Creativity
Ethical Concerns
Dependence on Technology

While AI can be a helpful tool for generating ideas and handling repetitive tasks, it's vital to strike a balance.

Use AI for Assistance, Not Replacement: Let AI handle mundane tasks like generating initial drafts, but ensure the person using it always reviews and personalizes the content.

Incorporate Local Flavor: Ensure your content includes local insights and anecdotes only someone familiar with your area can provide.

Stay Informed and Updated: Regularly update your AI tools with the latest information and verify the accuracy of the content they produce.

Maintain Transparency: Be honest with your audience about how you use AI. Transparency builds trust and shows that you value your listeners’ engagement and loyalty.

When I started this podcast, researching each episode took nearly a week. Just finding the right image on stock image sites took another couple alone. Using AI as a content helper, I'm researching and writing episodes within hours, including images. It's important to treat AI as a helper, never a "doer."

Need help with your radio station website? We're here to help at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Are you allowing someone total control or even ownership of your station’s most valuable digital assets? Today, we’ll reveal the dangers of giving up ownership and how to protect your station.

For more detailed show notes, visit: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/why-your-radio-stations-digital-assets-could-be-at-risk.

Having full control over your online presence is more important than ever. Yet, many managers unfamiliar with digital assets often trust someone else to “take care of everything.” I’ve been asked to do this several times over the years, and I always decline. Giving control to someone you trust might seem like a good solution, but it can lead to big problems.

Imagine finding out you no longer have control over your domain or that switching app providers means losing access to your entire user database. It happens more often than you’d think.

The Risks for Domains


Difficulty in Transferring Domains
Potential for Service Interruptions
Increased Costs and Fees
Loss of Brand Identity and Trust
Legal and Ownership Disputes

As you can see, owning your domain is essential for maintaining control over your online presence and ensuring the stability and integrity of your radio station’s brand. Registering your domain yourself under a station-owned account can avoid these risks.

The Pitfalls of App Providers Controlling Your App Accounts


Loss of Access to User Databases
Complications in Switching Providers
Potential for Data Loss or Misuse
Increased Costs and Fees

Other Digital Assets You Should Control


Email Hosting and Newsletter Lists
Social Media Accounts
Analytics and Ad Accounts

Best Practices for Retaining Control Over Your Digital Assets


Register Everything in Your Station/Company Name
Avoid Third-Party Providers Who “Handle Everything”
Regular Backups
Maintain Secure and Organized Account Records

Maintaining control over your digital assets is crucial for protecting your radio station’s online presence and ensuring long-term success. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your radio station retains control over its digital assets, safeguarding your online presence and ensuring smooth operations.

Need help with your radio station or group websites? We’re here to help at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

For more detailed show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/the-benefits-of-remote-website-updates.

Every second counts when a major event happens—whether it’s a big traffic incident, severe weather, or breaking local news. Your listeners want immediate updates, and being able to provide that information quickly can make a huge difference.

Posting updates directly to your website, rather than solely relying on social media, comes with several significant advantages.


Ownership and Control
SEO and Website Traffic
Comprehensive Information Hub

Updating your website remotely with breaking news is essential for maintaining relevance and authority. Here are some effective methods to ensure you can post updates quickly and efficiently from anywhere:


Frontend Forms
Mobile Apps
Email-to-Post Solutions
Third-Party Tools

Best Practices for Remote Updates


Security
Content Quality and Consistency
Testing and Preparation

Updating your website remotely is one of those functionalities you’ll likely not realize you need until you need it badly. So, make it a priority right now.

Let us help with your radio station website journey at https://www.skyrocketradio.com!

We're too excited not to inform everyone about the recent ChatGPT-4o updates to our AI Content Helper Pro.

For more detailed show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/how-ai-content-helper-pro-can-help-your-radio-station-newsroom

If you didn't see the ChatGPT-4o update launch last week, read and watch about it at https://openai.com/index/spring-update/.

AI Content Helper Pro is our all-in-one solution for revolutionizing content creation on radio station websites. This powerful tool offers comprehensive workflow features to streamline and elevate your online presence.

First and foremost, it empowers you to effortlessly generate fresh, engaging content for your news or blog sections using ChatGPT prompts. Say goodbye to writer’s block and tedious brainstorming sessions.  With just a few prompts, you can generate compelling articles that resonate with your audience.

But that’s not all – it also allows you to modify selected text within the editor based on your prompts, providing unparalleled flexibility and customization options for your content.

It takes your website to the next level for images. It can generate image prompts from your content and create multiple AI-generated images perfectly sized for featured images. Whether you want to enhance your articles with eye-catching visuals or create stunning imagery for your homepage, AI Content Helper Pro has you covered. Plus, all generated images come with automatically saved tags for proper SEO, ensuring maximum visibility and reach.

This tool offers seamless integration with RSS feeds to curate external content. Display RSS feeds from other websites with just a single click and uniquely rewrite selected articles directly within the editor section. Say goodbye to duplicate content worries and hello to a steady stream of fresh, unique content for your audience to enjoy.

From generating compelling articles to creating captivating visuals and curating content from external sources, this tool is your go-to solution for creating standout content that drives results. Elevate your radio station’s online presence and unlock new opportunities for engagement and revenue.

Learn about our AI Content Helper Pro at https://www.skyrocketradio.com/premium-extensions/ai-content-helper-pro.